Student Life
With over 40,000 and one of the best college towns in the country, there's never a dull moment at Penn State! However, at a school as large as Penn State, it's often up to you to take the initiative to get involved and pursue your interests. Though it's never too late to get involved, taking advantage of these opportunities in your first year is a great way to meet new people, find what you really love to do, and put you in a position to assume leadership positions and make an impact in the future.
Student Organizations
Penn State has over 800 recognized organizations to choose from (including the Smeal organizations). You have the option to explore everything from academic and professional organizations, to those focused on music and the performing arts, to Greek life. If you've dreamt of playing Quidditch since you picked up your first Harry Potter book, why not join Quidditch Club! Interested in making a difference? Attend a meeting for Amnesty International.
If you're interested in making an impact, there are also numerous organizations that allow students to make a positive impact in the community. There are almost 50 service-oriented organizations. Student government is also a great way to have a positive influence on campus that will affect the lives of you and your peers.
To search for info about individual organizations, visit the Student Organization Directory: http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/hub/studentorgs/orgdirectory/
If you're interested in making an impact, there are also numerous organizations that allow students to make a positive impact in the community. There are almost 50 service-oriented organizations. Student government is also a great way to have a positive influence on campus that will affect the lives of you and your peers.
To search for info about individual organizations, visit the Student Organization Directory: http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/hub/studentorgs/orgdirectory/
*Mentor Tip: Take advantage of the Student Involvement Fairs held at the beginning of each semester in the HUB. Who knows, maybe you'll find a club that you're interested in joining that you might otherwise never known existed!
Penn State Dance Marathon (THON)
Click the THON tab above for information about Smeal Student Mentors' THON efforts!
The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, better known as THON, is one of the most well-known things about Penn State. THON is the world's largest student-run philanthropy and is a huge source of pride for Penn State students. Though THON Weekend is one of the biggest weekends of the year, fundraising and raising awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer is a yearlong effort by students. In 2014, THON raised a record $13,343,517.33 for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital. In 2016 it raised $9,770,332.32, and since its inception in 1973, THON has raised over $137 million.
There are countless opportunities to get involved in THON. Committees are a great way to get involved in the behind-the-scenes aspects of the event that ensure its success. You can also get involved in THON through your respective fraternity or sorority, or one of the countless organizations that participates. There are also special interest organizations that focus exclusively fundraising and raising awareness for THON.
To find out more about THON and why Penn State is FTK, visit THON.org.
The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, better known as THON, is one of the most well-known things about Penn State. THON is the world's largest student-run philanthropy and is a huge source of pride for Penn State students. Though THON Weekend is one of the biggest weekends of the year, fundraising and raising awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer is a yearlong effort by students. In 2014, THON raised a record $13,343,517.33 for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital. In 2016 it raised $9,770,332.32, and since its inception in 1973, THON has raised over $137 million.
There are countless opportunities to get involved in THON. Committees are a great way to get involved in the behind-the-scenes aspects of the event that ensure its success. You can also get involved in THON through your respective fraternity or sorority, or one of the countless organizations that participates. There are also special interest organizations that focus exclusively fundraising and raising awareness for THON.
To find out more about THON and why Penn State is FTK, visit THON.org.