Elaine Tanella Passes Torch to Will Martin

Elaine Tanella and Will Martin have devoted much of their college experience to THON.
Photo submitted by Elaine Tanella.

There is something truly inspirational in the way that Elaine Tanella and Will Martin talk about THON.

It's not so much in what they say about THON, but how they say it. Their voices reflect a unique passion between the work they've done for THON, what it means to them and what they know it means to others.

As THON’s 2012 overall chairperson, Tanella dedicated every spare second she had to THON. It’s time she would never trade back.

“THON has had a tremendous impact on my life,” Tanella said. “You give so much to THON each year, and no matter how much you give you get so much more back. I couldn’t imagine my life without THON.”

Being THON’s overall chair also put into perspective how much of an impact she could make individually.

“I think what surprised me the most about being THON chair was the impact you can have individually,” Tanella said. “It’s not that it really surprised me, but it never ceases to amaze me the impact you can have on people, how much support they give you and how much you give back.”

THON needed plenty of support this year to overcome obstacles out of its control, but Tanella’s solution was always simple and clear.

“Our focus was always on our mission and what we stand for,” Tanella said. “Some people might find that challenges could cloud your thoughts, but day-to-day we brought our focus back to our mission.”

Now, Tanella is stepping down from her post and handing the reigns over to Will Martin, who served on Tanella’s overall THON committee as the overall operations chairperson.

The decision to appoint Martin as the new overall chairperson wasn’t easy. Martin and other candidates applied for the position three weeks after THON weekend. Then, Tanella narrowed her search and interviewed Martin for an hour.

“It’s a pretty rigorous interview process and a very difficult decision to make,” Tanella said. “It came down to who had a vision for 2013 and who had the right fit.”

Martin's decision to apply for overall chair was also difficult.

"This was a tough decision, because it’s a life changing decision," Martin said.

On the same day of the interview, Tanella went to Martin’s apartment to tell him he would be 2013's overall chair.

“I was partially shocked and excited at the same time,” Martin said. “It was surreal. After putting so much into THON over the years, to have this opportunity, it’s really exciting.”

Now, Tanella is helping Martin transition into his new position on an almost daily basis.

“I’ve transitioned with Elaine, and I have been learning what I’ll be doing and what my responsibilities are,” Martin said. “It’s intimidating, but it’s another exciting opportunity to give back to Penn State, Four Diamonds Families and to THON.”

Martin also wants to continue to enhance the experience of students involved in THON.

"I want to ensure every volunteer has the best experience of their lives," Martin said. "I want every volunteer to have the great experience that I’ve had with THON."

Tanella believes her successor has the right tools to carry out his vision.

"Will is great," Tanella said. "He’s someone people gravitate toward. He's very organized and logistical. He’s got a lot of great qualities to lead THON." 

While Martin will work hard over the next year, Tanella has one last piece of advice for him.

"Soak it up, because time flies by faster than you realize," Tanella said. "I know he'll make great decisions, but he needs to make sure he takes it in, too."