Posts tagged ‘WPSU’
Why We Dance: The Story of THON
A documentary screening doesn’t sound like the first thing a college student would do at 10 p.m. on a Friday. So when I saw a plethora of THON student volunteers pour into the State Theatre on Friday night––many sporting dresses, high heels, ties, and slacks, no less––you could say I was surprised.
Students at the Bryce Jordan Center make the trademark diamond symbol during THON weekend — an image captured in the documentary that will debut this Thursday.
But the featured documentary,Why We Dance: The Story of THON, helps to explain what 15,000 Penn State students devote themselves to every year––the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, Penn State’s Interfraternity / Panhellenic Dance Marathon (otherwise known as THON). That’s a reason to dress up.
Why We Dance chronicles the year-round efforts put toward Four Diamonds families and the 46-hour dance marathon, which, since 1977, has raised about $88 million dollars for pediatric cancer.
THON is a culture of its own. If you walk down College Avenue and see dozens of people sporting Penn State shirts and sweatpants, you’ll see that many people wearing THON gear, too. I recently noticed that almost 200 of my Facebook friends posted the THON 2013 promo video, especially when THON “captains” were selected. The energy of these students involved is palpable; Kevin O’Connor, a Rules and Regulations captain sitting next to me in the State Theatre on Friday night, agreed with a laugh that THON volunteers are “a different breed” of people––it’s like they’re perpetually over-caffeinated and just excited about life.
Right before the film began, I heard a student volunteer blurt out that (more…)
Get Ready for a THON Documentary
Let’s face it—THON is so big that it’s impossible, probably even in four years of college, to fully grasp the scope of it. Most Penn Staters know the basics: It’s the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, it’s raised $88 million since 1978, about 15,000 students volunteer to help with it every year. And, of course, the dancers stay on their feet for 46 hours.
A new documentary by Penn State Public Broadcasting broadens the picture. Check out the trailer above.
Called Why We Dance: The Story of THON, the documentary takes viewers far from the dance floor. It visits the homes of some THON families, follows some independent dancers as they try to win one of the lottery spots (for students not affiliated with a fraternity, sorority, or other group), and goes canning with the Penn State Croquet Club. Behind-the-scenes glimpses include the creation of the line dance, the overall committee calculating the 2012 total, and a small party in Hershey for the children too sick to attend THON in person.
Of course, by the end, there isn’t a dry eye in the Bryce Jordan Center. I bet there won’t be in theatres and living rooms, either.
WPSU began work on the project in 2010; among the funders is the Alumni Association. The documentary premieres at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, online and on WPSU television, and some other public television stations around the state. You can read more about the documentary in this news release at Penn State Live and at its official website.
And if you’re so inspired, we’d like to hear your best THON memories for an upcoming feature in the magazine. In 250 words or less, tell us your THON story, and email it to pennstaterletters@psu.edu. Our deadline is Oct. 10.
Lori Shontz, senior editor
Get a Piece of Paterno
When it comes to gifts for men, neckties have been the ol’ cliché standby since the dawn of time. But this particular necktie may be an exception.
It’s the one JoePa wore on the day of his 400th career win, and it’s one of several pieces of Paterno memorabilia being auctioned to benefit Penn State Public Broadcasting. Bidding begins next Wednesday, Feb. 9, and items will be awarded to the highest bidders at WPSU’s annual Connoisseur’s dinner the following Saturday night, Feb. 12.
Don’t expect this piece of Penn State history to come cheap. Last year, JoePa’s signature glasses sold for a whopping $9,000 to a Baltimore-area couple who called the iconic specs a “bargain.”
The starting bid on the autographed necktie? $1250.
To browse the items up for auction or to place a bid, check out WPSU’s website here.
Mary Murphy, associate editor
Couple Says $9,000 for JoePa’s Glasses Was a Bargain
By now you’ve probably heard that Joe Paterno’s glasses, which were auctioned off over the weekend to benefit WPSU, went for a whopping $9,000. What you might not know is this: The winning couple, Kevin and Michelle Coppola, were prepared to pay up to $10,150.
“I think anybody who went to Penn State would totally understand,” Michelle ’04 told The Baltimore Sun. “What better thing to have than [Paterno's] glasses? That’s part of his iconic image.”
The Coppolas will add the glasses to their stash of memorabilia, which includes helmets, jerseys, and a couple of Wheaties boxes autographed by Paterno. Kevin ’03 said, “When we finally buy a house, we’ll have a pretty cool sports basement.”
You can get all the details in this story from the Sun.
Lori Shontz, senior editor
So That’s Why Paterno Donated His Glasses
Sure, Joe Paterno has a history of helping good causes, and I imagine that’s why he donated a pair of his glasses to be auctioned off at WPSU’s Connoisseur’s Dinner and Auction. But it turns out that there might be another reason: He doesn’t need them anymore.
Paterno and his wife, Sue, were honored Thursday for their work with the Centre County Volunteers in Medicine 2010 Boston Marathon Challenge, and during the event, Paterno mentioned that he had undergone surgery to correct his vision. According to this story from Fight on State, Paterno had been having trouble reading for a few months, and his long-time eye doctor said he could fix the problem completely.
I can’t imagine Paterno without his glasses, and it turns out I’m not the only one. It feels odd to Paterno, too. “When I don’t wear ‘em, and I put on a sweater, I reach to take the glasses off and I don’t have them on,” he said. So he had a pair made with thinner lenses.
If you’re nostalgic for the Coke-bottle lenses, you’ve got until Feb. 17 to bid on the pair he donated. The high bid so far: $5,050.
Lori Shontz, senior editor
For Sale (Really): Joe Paterno’s Glasses
So you’ve got your blue-and-white replica jersey. Some sweatshirts or T-shirts from various bowl games. Something with a football player’s autograph—a program, or perhaps a football or helmet. Maybe even a Stand-Up Joe. So what other Penn State football memorabilia could you possibly need?
How about Joe Paterno’s eyeglasses?
Turns out, they’re available. Joe and Sue Paterno, long-time supporters of Penn State Public Broadcasting, have donated a pair of Joe’s trademark glasses to be auctioned off at the 18th annual Connoisseur’s Dinner and Auction. All proceeds benefit WPSU, which has had a rough year. And Joe even autographed the glasses—right across the prescription lens.
You’ll need to open your checkbook; the previous items Paterno donated to the auction didn’t go cheap. In 2006, the winning bid for the tie he wore in the Orange Bowl was $2,500. In 2007, he donated two pairs of socks, and each one went for $1,050. A pair of shoes brought $1,350 in 2008, and last year, a framed pair of autographed, khaki pants went for $3,100.
In the past (and for the rest of this auction), you need to attend the dinner to bid. But for this unique item, bidding will be opened up nationwide. Bidding on the WPSU Web site will run Feb. 1 through noon on Feb. 17, and the winner will be able to determine a maximum amount for a proxy bid at the dinner, Feb. 20.
To bid on any of the other items, you need to attend the dinner. (You can find details on tickets and other information here.) But there’s something there that could be of interest for more thrifty Penn State fans—the tie Paterno wore for the Capital One Bowl, autographed.
Lori Shontz, senior editor
Nittany Lion Documentary Makes Debut
As if the super-cool ESPN Magazine feature on the Nittany Lion weren’t enough, here comes another in-depth look at the mascot, Heart of the Lion. The documentary, which will premiere at 8 tonight on WPSU (Channel 3 in State College), traces the mascot’s history back to 1939 and follows eight students as they try out for the role. Jerry Sawyer, who produced the documentary for Penn State Public Broadcasting, says in this media release, “It was such a great experience to work on putting this show together, and a real treat to meet 15 of the former mascots and see how very humble and Penn State proud they all still are.”
The Alumni Association was the lead sponsor for the production of Heart of the Lion. If you miss the show tonight, the documentary will air again throughout the winter. Check your local listings for more information.
Lori Shontz, senior editor
Taste Good Wines, Help a Good Cause
If you’re coming to town and need something to do the day after Saturday’s game against Eastern Illinois, look no further than the WPSU Wine Celebration, from 1-4 p.m. Sunday at what I like to think of as the “other” Penn Stater, the conference center. There’s even a special room rate for anyone who wants to stay Sunday night.
You’ll be able to taste wines from around the world and some made by winemakers with Penn State connections. You might remember Gary Eberle ’66 from our previous post about his truck; his Eberle Winery in Paso Robles, Calif., will be represented. So will Tom Coyne ’63, who runs the Thomas Coyne Winery in Livermore, Calif. Ted Liberti ’92, one of the event’s coordinators, reminds me that the winemaker we featured in our January/February issue, Doug Moorhead ’56 of Presque Isle Wine Cellars in Erie, Pa., will also have wines to try. There will also be silent and live auctions, the latter from 4-5 p.m., so if you bid right, you could take home a really nice bottle of wine. Or two.
Admission is $55 in advance, $65 at the door, and the proceeds are going to a really good cause: public broadcasting. WPSU’s funding has been cut, and recently it was forced to lay off eight employees. In these economic times, every little bit matters, and it’s definitely a good feeling to have fun while you’re helping a good cause.
Just be careful driving home, of course.
Lori Shontz, senior editor
‘Out in the Silence’ Debuts on Campus
When Joe Wilson submitted his marriage announcement to his local newspaper, The Derrick in Oil City, Pa., he had no idea that act was the first step toward a film. But the announcement caused a controversy because Wilson is gay, and he and his partner, Dean Hamer, decided to chronicle the emotional response.
The result is a documentary, Out in the Silence, which was partially funded by WPSU. You can read about the specifics on the documentary’s website, or better get, you can stop by the HUB at 9 p.m. tonight to watch. As an added bonus, the filmmakers will be available for a Q&A. The documentary is also airing on public television stations: WPSU in State College at 9 p.m. tonight, WQED in Pittsburgh on Oct. 16, and WITF in Harrisburg on Oct. 27.
Wilson describes his documentary like this: “It is a deeply personal social issue documentary that dramatically illustrates the challenges that exist in rural America and the transformation that is possible when those who have long been constrained by a traditional code of silence summon the courage to break it.”
Lori Shontz, senior editor
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