Penn State Altoona Chancellor and Dean Dr. Lori J. Betchel-Wherry started her “Challenge the Chancellor Ping Pong Competition” over 10 years ago. Even though she play’s to win, she said it isn’t about winning or losing.
“I don’t go easy. I mean yeah, I’m a competitor, so sure. I want to win. Sometimes, if somebody is a novice, I keep the game going a little bit longer, but I do play to win. Absolutely, and it’s all good. It’s fun. The students pay to play, and if someone beats me I give $100 dollars to THON. Everybody wins.”
Sophomore Adam Orr though the had the skills to beat the chancellor. She proved him wrong, but he’s just happy to be supporting THON.
“One of my friends in high school, he actually was born with lykemia, and so, I mean, it’s just personal experiences like that that kind of make things like this a lot more important to me, and obviously, other people around,” Orr said.
Dr. Betchel-Wherry is asking folks to consider donating to Penn State Altoona THON or a THON team in their area.
“Well, THON is the largest student-run philanthorpy program in the world. It’s been going on since the 70s. Millions and millions of dollars raised, thousands of families helped and children’s lives saved. There’s nothing more important than that,” Dr. Betchel-Wherry said.
13 students were up to the challenge and four of them beat Dr. Betchel-Wherry today.
They raised $426 for the THON program in total.