Cheering on stage as the THON 2020 fundraising total was revealed—$11.7 million to support families impacted by childhood cancer—THON Development Director Katie Solomon '21 Lib reflected on the journey that led her there.
"Neither of my parents went to college in the traditional sense," says Katie, whose father attended classes at the local community college and mother earned a degree later in life. "When my older sister went off to Penn State, I was in awe. I visited her and felt such a sense of community on campus. Honestly, I was connected to Penn State before I even applied."
Having found her place in Happy Valley, Katie applied only to Penn State and quickly became involved in University life. In addition to her leadership in THON—a position she's held for two years—Katie served on the 2019 Class Gift Committee and the 2020 Homecoming Student Court, and she helped to organize Camp Kesem Central PA, a local summer camp for children whose parents have been diagnosed with cancer.
But just as Katie embraced the Penn State community, Penn Staters embraced her in return. When Katie's family was unable to help cover the full cost of her education, she found support in University alumni and friends. Katie is the recipient of multiple scholarships, including both a Renaissance Scholarship and a University Trustee Scholarship.
"I remember the afternoon I found out I was a scholarship recipient," Katie says. "I started sobbing. Earlier that same day, I had gotten an electric bill that I couldn't cover, and I was terrified. Thanks to scholarships, I don't have to worry about affording groceries or a place to sleep—I can focus on academics, extracurriculars, and the full college experience."
Scholarships have also motivated Katie to give back. "This is probably true for most students, but I didn't know anything about philanthropy when I came to Penn State," Katie says. "The awards I've received inspired me to intern in fundraising at Penn State, volunteer with the senior class gift, and serve as the development director for THON. I've been able to meet with donors and thank them for the lasting impact they've made on students like me.
"After graduation, I'm headed to law school and hope to practice entertainment law," continues Katie, who will earn her degree in criminology. "But because of my experiences, I want to eventually work in fundraising, too. I've seen what a difference philanthropy can make, and I want to be a part of that."
If you're interested in supporting students like Katie, please contact The Office of Gift Planning at giftplanning@psu.edu or 888-800-9170 (toll free) to discuss your options for making a future gift.