Hundreds of Penn State students fanned out across Pennsylvania, New Jersey and elsewhere this weekend for the academic year’s first THON ‘canning weekend.’
THON, or the Penn State Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, schedules four canning weekends that lead up to the annual dance-marathon event in February. According to THON, an average of 269 student organizations participate in each canning weekend, when they can solicit contributions from passers-by with THON-approved cans.
But controversy has emerged concerning the standardized labels on those cans. Wording has been shortened and no longer mentions the Greek councils by name.
Onward State is covering the issue in detail. Site founder Davis Shaver has written about it here: Official Name Removed from Penn State THON Canning Materials (Oct. 22, 2010).
THON proceeds benefit pediatric-cancer treatment and research.
