coachkatiepsu

What a weekend it has been. I am always proud to be a part of Penn State, but this weekend — and THON — is truly what makes this the greatest place ever.
To witness the heart, the passion, and the selflessness that fills the Penn State University community during THON is something I will never take for granted. The love poured into every moment, every hour on your feet, every dollar raised — all for families battling pediatric cancer — is simply extraordinary.

I am so incredibly proud of every single person who contributed. And to the Penn State students who organize and run this entire event themselves… YOU ARE AMAZING. The commitment, leadership, and compassion you show year after year is inspiring beyond words. It’s more than a weekend — it’s a movement of hope that continues to pay it forward for pediatric cancer families everywhere.

Juice and VY danced their hearts out!! What grit. What spirit. And Volleyball was represented in every way possible — Luke, Arthi, Ava, Logan — thank you for giving your time, your energy, and your love. You embody what this place is all about.

Forever proud to be a part of this family. 💙🤍 🤍🎗️

Family and Friends,
I am beyond excited to share that Joce “JUICE” Nathan will be dancing in THON this year! This is such a special commitment, and I’m asking you to join me in rallying behind her as she works to raise money for pediatric cancer.

“THON began in 1973 as a small idea by Penn State students who simply wanted to give back. Over the years, it has grown into the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. Today, more than 16,500 student volunteers dedicate an entire year to fundraising efforts that directly benefit Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital—supporting children and families as they fight pediatric cancer with courage and hope.”

Penn State is special for so many reasons, but THON is one that fills me with immense pride. It represents selflessness, community, and the belief that together we can make a real difference. Watching students like Juice pour their hearts into something bigger than themselves is what makes this place so powerful.

The donation link is in the bio. If you’re able to give, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If not, please consider sharing this message and helping spread the word. Every bit of support matters, and together we can help change lives. 💙🤍

FTK 🎗️

Rang the bell again today — and I am grateful beyond words. My heart is so full. Thank you to my incredible family, friends, players, and even complete strangers who lifted me up with prayers, notes, encouragement, and the sweetest surprises along the way. Every single message, every act of kindness mattered more than you know.

To those I’ve met and become friends with through this journey — you are never alone. You can do this. Stay hopeful, stay positive, and keep taking it one step at a time. This chapter is coming to an end.

Six rounds of chemo, surgery, fifteen radiation treatments, fourteen maintenance chemos, and one more surgery to go — I share this for anyone who is in the middle of it right now. It is hard, but you are stronger than you think, and you will get through it.

To the amazing team at Mt. Nittany – Shaner Cancer Center: thank you for your care, compassion, and for walking beside me every step of the way. So much love, so much gratitude, and so much hope as I move forward. 💙

On Jan. 21, 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. visited Penn State and addressed a crowd of more than 8,000 people in Recreation Hall on the future of integration. He spoke to those assembled about the civil rights movement, America’s legacy of slavery and segregation, and the principles he believed would change the world, bringing many in the assembly to tears. Only a few weeks earlier he had received the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent campaign against racial inequality. 

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Credit: Penn State University Archives / Penn State. Creative Commons WeAre💙

Happy New Year! Let’s embrace gratitude and the opportunities that lie ahead. May this year bring joy, growth, and success in everything we do! Let’s make 2026 our best year yet by celebrating every moment and supporting each other! Cheers to new beginnings and unforgettable memories. 🤍