Liberal Arts students find community, leadership opportunities through THON

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For liberal arts students Lauren Mellas, Erin Gnall and Areea Rahman, their Penn State journeys have been defined not only by their coursework in the College of the Liberal Arts but also by their involvement in THON, the University’s student-run, 46-hour dance marathon that raises money and awareness for families affected by childhood cancer.

All three students are serving as directors for THON 2026, which takes place Feb. 20-22 at the Bryce Jordan Center on Penn State's University Park campus.

Mellas said she came to Penn State drawn by her love of sports and the University’s athletic culture. She was hesitant at first about the size of the school, she said, but when a family friend reassured her that “You can make a big school feel small,” she decided to enroll.

Initially thinking she wanted to pursue law, Mellas discovered a passion for criminology through an internship at a law firm in Connecticut after high school. She said her Liberal Arts education has given her a broad, holistic perspective that she plans to carry into a career in advertising and marketing.

What truly shaped Mellas’ college experience, however, has been her involvement with THON, she said. She started as a first-year committee member and eventually became the public relations digital content director. In that role, she oversees 19 captains and 40 committee members, coordinating digital campaigns, video production and creative content to spread THON’s mission.

Mellas said her favorite THON memory is participating in the dancer stand, a moment filled with emotion that connected her to the families. Through THON and other leadership roles, like serving as vice president of standards on the 2025 Panhellenic board, she has developed teamwork, communication and creative skills that go beyond the classroom.

“Working in a role like this one takes organization and commitment, but THON taught me that the most meaningful work happens when you have a important purpose," Mellas said. "At the end of the day, every post we create, every video we produce, it’s all For the Kids.”

For Gnall, THON was the reason she came to Penn State in the first place. Having participated in Mini-THON during high school and grown up connected to THON families, she already felt tied to the cause, she said.

The psychology major’s role as supply logistics director for THON 2026 has been central to her college experience. She manages donations from major partners like Nike and Dell, coordinates with 20 captains and works to make sure that all events during THON weekend run smoothly.

Gnall said her favorite THON memory was witnessing the dancer stand for the first time, the culmination of a year of fundraising and planning.

“Putting so much time, effort, and energy into the cause pays off in that instant," Gnall said. "We all work together toward the goal of supporting our THON families, and experiencing my first THON weekend was a full-circle moment. It affirmed that I am where I’m supposed to be.”

Beyond THON, Gnall has engaged with nonprofit work and inclusive initiatives, reinforcing her commitment to community and service, she said.

Rahman was drawn to THON’s mission as soon as she arrived at Penn State, she said, and she became a first-year committee member. Over time, she took on leadership positions by being finance captain and data analytics coordinator, using her skills to plan campaigns and track THON fundraising progress.

One of Rahman’s most memorable THON moments came when the fundraising total for 2024-25 dramatically increased from the year before during the final reveal, a surge that brought her to tears and left her feeling the profound impact of her work, she said.

“Seeing the numbers being put up was an out-of-body experience," Rahman said. "I couldn’t have been prouder of the accomplishment or more excited to see how many lives will be touched by the total.”

An economics and data science major, Rahman has balanced her studies with leadership roles in multiple organizations, including her business fraternity, fusion dance competitions and the Association for Women in Computing. Through THON and these roles, she has built strong leadership, analytical and organizational skills, she said.

Mellas, Gnall and Rahman all expressed their feelings that THON has been more than just an extracurricular activity, but a seminal part of their college experience. It has provided opportunities to lead, collaborate and create meaningful change, all while fostering a sense of community and purpose and preparing them to take on the next chapter of their lives with confidence, compassion and creativity.