For the past three years, Penn State's Fayette campus has been recognized for raising the most money by a non-University Park campus in the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.

This year, they hope to surpass last year's record breaking total of $60,840.26 — the most money raised by a Commonwealth Campus in Thon history.

Fayette is ranked as the seventh smallest Penn State Commonwealth Campus, with an enrollment of 1,041, but their charitable spirit and enthusiasm is admired by the entire University community.

Richel Perretti, the Thon staff advisor at Fayette, said she expects about 50 supporters to come to University Park for this year's Thon. This includes 32 Thon team members, staff and alumni.

Carlos Rodriguez, Fayette Thon chair, described the entire campus's excitement about this weekend.

"It's a lot of hard work, but at the end it's amazing to see how all of our efforts have helped the sick patients at the Hershey Medical Center so much," he said.

In accordance with Thon rules, Commonwealth Campuses are allowed to send one dancer couple to University Park to represent them.

At Fayette, a competition determines who gets to dance. Candidates have from October to the beginning of December to raise money by collecting pledges and donations.

They also have to go canning for 16 hours, but the money they raise during this time does not contribute to their individual total.

This year's dancers are Michael Moore, Fayette student government president, and Douglas De Frank, Fayette student government treasurer.

Many campus clubs and organizations join the dancers in contributing money for Thon. The Fayette Lion Ambassadors have raised over $3,000 this year, the most of any group on their campus.

As Fayette morale captain Gina Cavalcante explained, the "thon-ometer" is running high at Fayette.

Thon has grown considerably with the participation of Commonwealth Campuses. It is an event that brings together members and organizations on all Penn State campuses, said Walt Breuninger, overall Thon chair, expressing the appreciation for the contributions of branch campuses, and especially the efforts of Penn State Fayette.