PSU Thon Four Diamonds Fund

[ORD_Buckeye]

Not ignoring it. Here's the text from the front page of the official THON website.

For The Kids, For The Families
The mission of the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon is to conquer pediatric cancer by providing outstanding emotional and financial support to the children, families, researchers, and staff of the Four Diamonds Fund. FTK!

Welcome!
Welcome to THON.org, the online home of the largest student-run philanthropy in the world! The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, affectionately known as THON, is a yearlong effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. Since 1977, THON has raised more than $127 million for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital. THON 2015 took place on February 20th-22nd, 2015 at Penn State's Bryce Jordan Center. We are excited to have you join us as we continue to make strides to find a cure.

Absolutely everything is written to lead one to believe that this is going primarily for the direct care of the kids. The words "research" or "researchers" is mentioned once--third in line after patients and families. If I dig around can I find the truth? Probably, but that website is not designed for a casual observer to discover that the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of funds raised does not go to the patients and families but rather to the researchers. It's designed to completely obscure that fact and mislead the casual observer. Again, this is PSU once again doing everything in its power to obscure any transparency about their actions.

 

[409fold]

So unless PSU is a top research facility for cancer, PSU is being disingenuous and fraudulent? Good Lord...

Ignore the flame-thrower --- yes, PSU-Hershey is not top-tier, but when the Bucknut throws in phrases like "****** excuse for a cancer institute", he's clearly acting over-the-top.

I'm not the biggest fan of where THON dollars go (see my post earlier in this thread) ---- but one positive of THON is that it has encouraged other dance marathons to begin/flourish at other Universities/places throughout the United States. And that's a good thing in its own right.

 

[mktman]

In hindsight, I wish I had posted sooner.

Serious question...what charity does the student body at Ohio State support? How much money were they able to raise last year?

 

[PSU_Nut_rivals17625]

I've read every post and every linked item. And nothing changes the fact that Four Diamonds does not supply the IRS with a form 990 because they hide behind the "We're a government entity" dodge thereby having to provide much less detail.
Most importantly where does 4 Diamond list its five highest paid employees and their compensation? See part VII.

Did you ever stop to think they don't have employees? It is a fund (like a bank account) which has a volunteer board who decides where the money is distributed. It can't file a 990 because it not a separate entity. They would have to create a whole separate organization which would involve overhead and other costs just to hand out money. Does Rutgers have separate organizations for every fund they have? Do they file 990 for every scholarship fund and other fund at the university?

 

[MADHAT1]

Yet PSU will fight to keep the $60 million fine in PA. Can't you help all Americans? With that being said, if THON wasn't PSU no one here would care. We look petty criticizing THON. The can girls are always hot so I wish there were more. Finally, there wasn't one thread about the Rutgers dance marathon before, during or after. That's sad.

This >: "Finally, there wasn't one thread about the Rutgers dance marathon before, during or after. That's sad."

As for THON /Four Diamonds , there are good points about questioning how the canning is put to the public about where the money you give is going.
But I think the money THON raises is going to a good cause, just not the cause most giving think it is and that's what the complaints are about.

Sandusky, cover up, what a few RU fans done at the Nit game, a ridiculous statement about Penn St and honor and a few other
non THON statements shouldn't be part of this discussion ( in my opinion) and only detract from having a reasonable discussions about how the money donated is used, compared to how people think it is.

 

[MADHAT1]

Serious question...what charity does the student body at Ohio State support? How much money were they able to raise last year?

Getting away from the issue this thread is supposed to be about , but this is what I found with a quick google search that asked :Ohio State University charity drives


Bucks for Charity Drive
Faculty, staff, retirees, and students on the Columbus campus have the opportunity to support many worthwhile central Ohio environmental, health, and human service agencies during the Bucks For Charity Drive. Coordinators in each college, department, and office across the Columbus campus contact colleagues to request their participation in this important fund-raising effort. This year’s goal is $1,150,000 – with a focus on increasing participation campus-wide. Individuals may support preferred charities through one-time contributions (cash or check) or through payroll deduction pledges. All contributions are tax-deductible. The eleven (11) non-profit central Ohio organizations participating in the Bucks For Charity Drive are: Community Health Charities of Ohio, EarthShare Ohio, Community Shares of Mid Ohio, Mid Ohio Foodbank, The United Negro College Fund, United Way of Central Ohio, United Way of Delaware County, United Way of Licking County, United Way of Pickaway County, United Way of Union County and United Way of Fairfield County.
http://bucksforcharity.osu.edu/

There are others :
Pelotonia is a grass roots bike tour that raises money for innovative and life-saving cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. Driven by the passion of its cyclists, volunteers, and their family and friends, Pelotonia's annual cycling experience is a place of hope, energy, and determination. Pelotonia proudly directs 100 percent of every dollar raised to research. Please visit pelotonia.org for more information about the event. Gifts to Ohio State through Pelotonia can be made on the Pelotonia website. All Pelotonia gifts made by Ohio State faculty, staff, and retirees—and received by the university from July 1, 2014, thru April 15, 2015—will count toward Campus Campaign 2015 Celebration participation figures.

 

[_getmyjive11]

If everything is as clear as you suggest, why was the Rutgers fan attacked in the other thread simply for stating that the money all goes to PSU's hospital and research?

That's all he did and he gets attacked by PSUers for saying it.

I wasn't in the other thread, so I have no idea what you are referencing. The information is pretty clear though, so perhaps he didn't seek out the information before commenting. You will have to ask him.

 

[srru86]

Did you ever stop to think they don't have employees? It is a fund (like a bank account) which has a volunteer board who decides where the money is distributed. It can't file a 990 because it not a separate entity. They would have to create a whole separate organization which would involve overhead and other costs just to hand out money. Does Rutgers have separate organizations for every fund they have? Do they file 990 for every scholarship fund and other fund at the university?

PSU could have chosen to set it up as a 501c3 but they didn't.

Maybe that means more money for sick kids and research?

Maybe it means they can fudge what ends up with employees/contractors/companies controlled by volunteer directors and others with interests linked to PSU and the football program?

Point is we can't know because Penn State set it up so we can't.

Benefit of the doubt is not something a reasonable person should grant to an University with a documented history of bad acts by associated charities and blocking public access to information about its operations.

 

[_getmyjive11]

PSU could have chosen to set it up as a 501c3 but they didn't.

Maybe that means more money for sick kids and research?

Maybe it means they can fudge what ends up with employees/contractors/companies controlled by volunteer directors and others with interests linked to PSU and the football program?

Point is we can't know because Penn State set it up so we can't.

Benefit of the doubt is not something a reasonable person should grant to an University with a documented history of bad acts by associated charities and blocking public access to information about its operations.

Looks like we outsmarted you all! Can't wait until our new THON expansion to the football building is complete!! [banana]

 

[Upstream]

The problem is that you're not going to find a cure at Hershey. It's, at best, a third or fourth tier cancer research institute

I hope that's not true. I recently signed off on a research funding proposal at Hershey. I'd hate to think I'm bad at my job.

 

[RUScrew85]

Again, you CHOOSE to completely miss the point. No one is saying the students who raise the money have done anything but GOOD.

This discussion is about how SOME PSU fans used the good THON does as a shield against criticism for how they behaved making excuses for those fans who protested in favor of the way Penn State handled the Sandusky situation. AND it is about how its sold as "For The Kids" and "Research" when it is about PSU RESEARCH and Pennsylvania's kids. It is a university being intentionally intellectually dishonest.

That doesn't mean the people collecting are doing anything wrong. So stop making it sound that way... stop attacking the kids who are doing good. What's wrong with you. (How do you like that treatment? Two can play at that game?)

I see some of us are still trying to reason with Joebots. Just let it go. PSU is awesome. Never does anything wrong, never has, never will. And helping the occasional cancer kid by paying their (probably inflated) PSU cancer treatment bills absolves them of all of the other child rape - cult like coverup behavior.

Can we put this to bed now?

 

[RUScrew85]

You clowns should be worried about where your next 2 star is coming from, rather then where money raised for a good cause is going...

Heh. Great contribution. And we wonder why only Penstaters take themselves seriously.

 

[RUScrew85]

So you are just going to ignore the reports on the Four Diamond Fund and THON's websites and just pretend like they don't inform people as to where the money goes? Okay, terrific.

Don't you have to admit it would be more useful if a 3rd party posted that information about your charity? I mean I could put up a web site that says I'm President of the World - doesn't make it true unless it's vetted. Short of that it's really no better than propaganda.

 

[RUScrew85]

Did you ever stop to think they don't have employees? It is a fund (like a bank account) which has a volunteer board who decides where the money is distributed. It can't file a 990 because it not a separate entity. They would have to create a whole separate organization which would involve overhead and other costs just to hand out money. Does Rutgers have separate organizations for every fund they have? Do they file 990 for every scholarship fund and other fund at the university?

Sure but the issue isn't about Rutgers and fans pointing to Rutgers charities as a way to mitigate their university's criminal behavior. Try thinking critically. Maybe they covered that in High School?

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

I hope that's not true. I recently signed off on a research funding proposal at Hershey. I'd hate to think I'm bad at my job.

Well, it's certainly not a designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Nor does it carry one of the secondary designations of "Cancer Center" or "Basic Laboratory" from the National Cancer Institute. There are a total of 41 CCC's and another 27 of the lesser designation. Not being in that group would certainly put it in a third/fourth tier from where I'm standing. We're not talking about some ranking in a magazine either as I believe that the NIH/NCI criteria for gaining and maintaining these designations is fairly rigorous and involves a multi-year process.

 

[ralpieE]

No. It's disingenuous and fraudulent because PSU is not up front with where the money is going. People are led to believe that they are donating for the direct care of pediatric cancer patients and making their decision to donate on that. In reality, the overwhelming majority of the money is going to PSU cancer research. If PSU was up front about that, then people could make an informed decision on whether to donate, and many would undoubtedly choose to donate to institutions where cancer research money is going to be put to better use.

Then again PSU seems congenitally incapable about being transparent about anything whether it's Paterno's salary, where THON money goes, how many of your football players major in Parks & Recreation or whether your assistant coach is using the football program as bait to lure young boys.

Demented.

 

[ralpieE]

Well, it's certainly not a designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Nor does it carry one of the secondary designations of "Cancer Center" or "Basic Laboratory" from the National Cancer Institute. There are a total of 41 CCC's and another 27 of the lesser designation. Not being in that group would certainly put it in a third/fourth tier from where I'm standing. We're not talking about some ranking in a magazine either as I believe that the NIH/NCI criteria for gaining and maintaining these designations is fairly rigorous and involves a multi-year process.

And it's meaningless and irrelevant.

 

[409fold]

Well, it's certainly not a designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Nor does it carry one of the secondary designations of "Cancer Center" or "Basic Laboratory" from the National Cancer Institute. There are a total of 41 CCC's and another 27 of the lesser designation. Not being in that group would certainly put it in a third/fourth tier from where I'm standing. We're not talking about some ranking in a magazine either as I believe that the NIH/NCI criteria for gaining and maintaining these designations is fairly rigorous and involves a multi-year process.

Or to quote your words from earlier "a ****** excuse for a cancer institute."

Let's just eliminate Hershey --- and everything else which isn't first- or second- tier in the cancer research world.

All the work those people do at non-first- and non-second-tier research centers --- it's just ****** work.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

Or to quote your words from earlier "a ****** excuse for a cancer institute."

Let's just eliminate Hershey --- and everything else which isn't first- or second- tier in the cancer research world.

All the work those people do at non-first- and non-second-tier research centers --- it's just ****** work.

Oh don't get your frickin' panties in a bunch. You do understand the word "hyperbole?" Right? Yes, I overstated things and threw a little smack ped state's way (thought the leeches line was pretty good), but my point remains the same. There are far better and more prestigious cancer research institutes with more talented faculty and better facilities than Hershey for somebody with no affiliation to PSU to support if they're inclined to support cancer research. If a PSU alum wants to donate to Hershey in the hopes that it might grow into something more that's fine. That, however, is not the issue at hand. The issue at hand is PSU conning everyday people in Pennsylvania and surrounding states to help fund that institute's research with the disingenuous pitch that the money tossed into that can is going to directly aid the treatment of cancer victims and their families.

As for the CCC designation being irrelevant and meaningless, anyone who maintains that clearly has ZERO knowledge of the rigor involved in gaining that designation and what it means in terms of the stature of researchers and funding that it attracts. Somebody must not have told the researchers at Hershey, practically all of whom would leave in a heartbeat if ever offered a position at Pitt or Sloan-Kettering. They just refuse to give it any credit because Penn State has never earned it. And if we all know that if it's at Penn State then it just must be the best, most special and most prestigious thing in the world. Harvard, Chicago, Berkeley and Oxbridge all rolled into one.

 

[JQRU91]

Jive and company- give it up. There's some here that are worse than our Pitt friends. Just be thankful they are a very small minority and 99.9% of the world doesn't act like this

If you go back and look at the beginning of this thread, the tenor was pretty calm and reasonable until you and other PSU fans started jumping in with snide comments and inflammatory remarks.

 

[JQRU91]

You clowns should be worried about where your next 2 star is coming from, rather then where money raised for a good cause is going...

One of our last 2 stars turned out to be an Elite 11 quarterback who outperformed your 4 star at The Opening.

 

[Upstream]

Well, it's certainly not a designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Nor does it carry one of the secondary designations of "Cancer Center" or "Basic Laboratory" from the National Cancer Institute. There are a total of 41 CCC's and another 27 of the lesser designation. Not being in that group would certainly put it in a third/fourth tier from where I'm standing. We're not talking about some ranking in a magazine either as I believe that the NIH/NCI criteria for gaining and maintaining these designations is fairly rigorous and involves a multi-year process.

So they are not on the comprehensive cancer center list. That doesn't make their research unimportant. My company certainly thought enough to provide funding.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

So they are not on the comprehensive cancer center list. That doesn't make their research unimportant. My company certainly thought enough to provide funding.

I don't disagree. See my last point above. Hyperbole and smack aside, the issue isn't how good of a cancer research institute Hershey is. It's how PSU is disingenuously funding a portion of their research by conning people into donating to an event thinking the money is going directly to pediatric cancer care rather than long term research.

 

[RU4Real]

So here's some math to mull over. Some of it is basic review, but there's some nuance in here that's troubling.

In 2013 the total revenue to Four Diamonds was $16.8 million.

Of that, $13.3 million came from THON. The rest was derived from "mini-Thon" and assorted private donations.

$8.73 million was maintained in reserve, pursuant to an operating agreement that Four Diamonds maintain 18 months of working capital.

Of the remainder:

$1.78 million to "Patient Care Providers" (Doctors, clinicians, etc., a.k.a. "medical bills")
$985,000 to "Patient / Family Support"

So roughly $2.6 million of the $16.8 million goes directly to patients. It's worth noting that only Pennsylvania residents are eligible for these funds.

$7.4 million to "Pediatric Oncology Research". Nowhere in the annual report of the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital is that money itemized.

$1.5 million to the "Christopher Millard Chair for Pediatric Cancer Research". Again, there's no data available anywhere as to where this money goes, how it's used, etc.

$4.6 million to the "Penn State IFC / Panhellenic Dance Marathon Chair for Pediatric Cancer Research". Ditto re: info.

$1 million for "Fundraising and Administration". Again, no specific accounting information available. What it does mean is that Four Diamonds has an administrative overhead of about 12%.

 

[_getmyjive11]

Don't you have to admit it would be more useful if a 3rd party posted that information about your charity? I mean I could put up a web site that says I'm President of the World - doesn't make it true unless it's vetted. Short of that it's really no better than propaganda.

We probably don't even collect what they say we do... probably don't even top 20 dollars. It's all propaganda.

 

[_getmyjive11]

So here's some math to mull over. Some of it is basic review, but there's some nuance in here that's troubling.

In 2013 the total revenue to Four Diamonds was $16.8 million.

Of that, $13.3 million came from THON. The rest was derived from "mini-Thon" and assorted private donations.

$8.73 million was maintained in reserve, pursuant to an operating agreement that Four Diamonds maintain 18 months of working capital.

Of the remainder:

$1.78 million to "Patient Care Providers" (Doctors, clinicians, etc., a.k.a. "medical bills")
$985,000 to "Patient / Family Support"

So roughly $2.6 million of the $16.8 million goes directly to patients. It's worth noting that only Pennsylvania residents are eligible for these funds.

$7.4 million to "Pediatric Oncology Research". Nowhere in the annual report of the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital is that money itemized.

$1.5 million to the "Christopher Millard Chair for Pediatric Cancer Research". Again, there's no data available anywhere as to where this money goes, how it's used, etc.

$4.6 million to the "Penn State IFC / Panhellenic Dance Marathon Chair for Pediatric Cancer Research". Ditto re: info.

$1 million for "Fundraising and Administration". Again, no specific accounting information available. What it does mean is that Four Diamonds has an administrative overhead of about 12%.

Wrong. They go to fund our football program.

 

[BigLou]

So here's some math to mull over. Some of it is basic review, but there's some nuance in here that's troubling.

In 2013 the total revenue to Four Diamonds was $16.8 million.


$1 million for "Fundraising and Administration". Again, no specific accounting information available. What it does mean is that Four Diamonds has an administrative overhead of about 12%.

How do you get 12%? $1million of $16 million is more like 6%.

The money designated toward the "Chairs" sounds like an endowment to m, meaning the future earnings of those amounts will pay for that position. Basically they took excess funds from prior years and used it to set up endowments.

 

[mktman]

I don't disagree. See my last point above. Hyperbole and smack aside, the issue isn't how good of a cancer research institute Hershey is. It's how PSU is disingenuously funding a portion of their research by conning people into donating to an event thinking the money is going directly to pediatric cancer care rather than long term research.

im still wondering about which charity the students at Ohio State support? How much money were they able to raise last year?

 

[_getmyjive11]

How do you get 12%? $1million of $16 million is more like 6%.

The money designated toward the "Chairs" sounds like an endowment to m, meaning the future earnings of those amounts will pay for that position. Basically they took excess funds from prior years and used it to set up endowments.

They are endowments (all of the questioned costs above) which is why they are not shown on Hershey's side. The money is invested into PSU's long term investment pool, assigned units and then maintained into perpetuity to ensure future available spending. While the funds are co-mingled, units are assigned and guidelines have been created to ensure that the funds are spent properly (so no, they cannot go to the football program). In PA, guidelines for such endowments are legally binding, so the university has no choice but to follow them to a T.

 

[RU4Real]

How do you get 12%? $1million of $16 million is more like 6%.

The money designated toward the "Chairs" sounds like an endowment to m, meaning the future earnings of those amounts will pay for that position. Basically they took excess funds from prior years and used it to set up endowments.

Because it's $1 million out of $8+ million if you subtract the reserve revenue - they're not administering that money, they're not distributing it, so it really doesn't count as part of the charitable activity - it's a passive event.

The money to the "chairs" does, in fact, fund the endowment for those chairs. My point was, and is, that there's no accounting in any of the records (either Four Diamonds or the hospital) of what specifically the endowment is used for. The $1.5 million for the Christopher Millard chair appears, at least according to the hospital's annual report, to do nothing more than support the various needs of Dr. Barbara Miller and her staff.

That's not "cancer research". It's salaries and travel expenses. She traveled extensively in 2013 and the hospital's annual report highlights the fact that she gave over 100 presentations during the year, half of which were out of the country.

So to the point of this thread, does any of the publicity around THON come close to disclosing the fact that 10% of the money raised every year goes to support the professional lifestyle of a single hospital administrator? (she is not a researcher)

 

[Section118]

They are endowments (all of the questioned costs above) which is why they are not shown on Hershey's side. The money is invested into PSU's long term investment pool, assigned units and then maintained into perpetuity to ensure future available spending. While the funds are co-mingled, units are assigned and guidelines have been created to ensure that the funds are spent properly (so no, they cannot go to the football program). In PA, guidelines for such endowments are legally binding, so the university has no choice but to follow them to a T.

Holy s guys 4 pages

 

[RU4Real]

They are endowments (all of the questioned costs above) which is why they are not shown on Hershey's side. The money is invested into PSU's long term investment pool, assigned units and then maintained into perpetuity to ensure future available spending. While the funds are co-mingled, units are assigned and guidelines have been created to ensure that the funds are spent properly (so no, they cannot go to the football program). In PA, guidelines for such endowments are legally binding, so the university has no choice but to follow them to a T.

So you're saying that half of the money raised by Four Diamonds goes back to the University?

Do you think THAT is consistent with the "all of the money goes to HELP THE KIDS" message?

I think the one thing that has been demonstrated in this thread, pretty conclusively, is that the underlying claim of THON and its fundraising operation is, in fact, a lie.

 

[Ole Cabbagehead]

Because it's $1 million out of $8+ million if you subtract the reserve revenue - they're not administering that money, they're not distributing it, so it really doesn't count as part of the charitable activity - it's a passive event.

The money to the "chairs" does, in fact, fund the endowment for those chairs. My point was, and is, that there's no accounting in any of the records (either Four Diamonds or the hospital) of what specifically the endowment is used for. The $1.5 million for the Christopher Millard chair appears, at least according to the hospital's annual report, to do nothing more than support the various needs of Dr. Barbara Miller and her staff.

That's not "cancer research". It's salaries and travel expenses. She traveled extensively in 2013 and the hospital's annual report highlights the fact that she gave over 100 presentations during the year, half of which were out of the country.

So to the point of this thread, does any of the publicity around THON come close to disclosing the fact that 10% of the money raised every year goes to support the professional lifestyle of a single hospital administrator? (she is not a researcher)

This is exactly the problem with all of this. Patients must be patients at Hershey PSU. Money goes to care provider costs from Hershey PSU care providers. Money goes to fund research at Hershey PSU. Money used to pay administrators at Hershey PSU. Money held back and used to create endowments to ensure it all lasts in perpetuity.

Unfortunately it is the same problem with all research funding. At its core, its designed only to keep the research facility going in perpetuity. It doesn't matter if anything is actually being accomplished, or if there is any reasonable prospect of having the desired results. All that matters is that enough money is coming in to keep it going. The primary goal of the administrators will always be survival. In my opinion, we would be far better off if most research facilities were closed, and their funds directed at a handful of elite facilities.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

I have to say I am a bit surprised that the more some of these PSUers try to defend the charity and change the argument and distract focus the worse things look for them.

This should be a slam-dunk for them. THON raises millions and millions every year to fight cancer... but these guys find it necessary to defend the spending of the funds in ways that make them look more suspicious.

They would have been better off saying, "yes, it benefits PSU faculty and kids who are treated at PSU. It could be made more obvious.. but there is really nothing wrong with that." Instead they have tried everything but that.

 

[BigLou]

Because it's $1 million out of $8+ million if you subtract the reserve revenue - they're not administering that money, they're not distributing it, so it really doesn't count as part of the charitable activity - it's a passive event.

The money to the "chairs" does, in fact, fund the endowment for those chairs. My point was, and is, that there's no accounting in any of the records (either Four Diamonds or the hospital) of what specifically the endowment is used for. The $1.5 million for the Christopher Millard chair appears, at least according to the hospital's annual report, to do nothing more than support the various needs of Dr. Barbara Miller and her staff.

That's not "cancer research". It's salaries and travel expenses. She traveled extensively in 2013 and the hospital's annual report highlights the fact that she gave over 100 presentations during the year, half of which were out of the country.

So to the point of this thread, does any of the publicity around THON come close to disclosing the fact that 10% of the money raised every year goes to support the professional lifestyle of a single hospital administrator? (she is not a researcher)

Still don't agree with your math on the Annual Reserve.The reserve is part of $27 million in expenditures. Since the expenditures exceeded revenue it would appear that the annual reserve was created from funds raised in prior years.
As far as your characterization of Dr Miller's role,given her position as head on Oncology, you really have no way of knowing that her travel and presentations are not within the norm for such a position.

 

[MADHAT1]

UN

im still wondering about which charity the students at Ohio State support? How much money were they able to raise last year?

Didn't like my reply to that question?
What do you feel about THON >think it is on the up & up or a charity to be leery of ?
That's what this thread is about !

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

im still wondering about which charity the students at Ohio State support? How much money were they able to raise last year?

Ummm, who gives a flying frack? We're talking about cancer research, are we not? Let's compare how much funded cancer research The James Comprehensive Cancer Center does compared to ped state's nobody cares center in Hershey. Let's compare how many members of the National Academies are on faculty at The James compared to the nobody cares center in Hershey. And while we're at it, let's make the same comparisons between Pitt's Comprehensive Cancer Center in Pittsburgh versus PSU's nobody cares center in Hershey.

And let's be blatantly honest about it. Isn't it a bit odd--a bit too overcompensating--that ped state of all universities attempts to care sooooo much about the children? Shouldn't ped state be canning in neighboring states to raise funds for victims of child *** rape instead of cancer. That would be much more apt and much more relevant to ped state attempting to redeem itself for its sins. Instead, ped state is true to form and attempts to use THON as another reason to pretend that it's better than everyone else.

 

[PSUriseANDfire]

Heh. Great contribution. And we wonder why only Penstaters take themselves seriously.

New Jersey football players also apparently. If PSU and PSU only take ourselves seriously then you guys have serious issues. You talk about PSU more than some PSU alums. Even have a contingent that can't conceal the contempt even when it comes to a student run charity.

A LOT of you said great things in this thread and a FEW of you clearly hate Penn State to the point that you come across as sickening individuals. Stunning actually to read through this.

 

[RU4Real]

Still don't agree with your math on the Annual Reserve.The reserve is part of $27 million in expenditures. Since the expenditures exceeded revenue it would appear that the annual reserve was created from funds raised in prior years.
As far as your characterization of Dr Miller's role,given her position as head on Oncology, you really have no way of knowing that her travel and presentations are not within the norm for such a position.

Actually, I do - the Director of Oncology and Hematology at Jersey Shore Medical Center is a close friend of mine.

 

[zappaa]

Isn't it normal for administrators to travel and make their presentations to prospective donors? I know the fundraising arm of the Yogi museum often travel and entertain prospective large givers. Most large donors ask to be able to meet with my dad, have diner with him, play golf with him, we bring hall of famers like Sandy Koufax along with us for the wow factor...none of that happens without us paying for it.
On our website, we ask the public for donations to support our youth programs, nowhere does it state a portion of your donation goes to aid our fundraising efforts. Is that not the norm?
By the way, it's no coonsidence my dads ailing health and his inability to entertain has greatly reduced our efforts.