Alex Aumen

Entertainment Director

Alex Aumen

• Year: 5th Year
• Hometown: Gettysburg, PA
• Major: Industrial Engineering
• Minors: Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Six Sigma
• Previous THON™ Involvement: 
  THON 2022 – R&R Security CM
  THON 2023 – R&R Pass Second in Command CM
  THON 2024 – R&R ES Pass Special Projects Captain
  THON 2025 – Entertainment Stage Performance Coordinator Captain
• Why did you want to become a director for the largest student-run philanthropy in the world?  THON has been an organization that has been with me in various facets throughout my development as a person. From seeing canners on the street, to learning about the 4 Diamonds in mini THON, being an awestruck R&R CM at my first THON Weekend, guiding my fellow CMs as a pass leader, providing a safe environment for magic to flow as an R&R Captain, and creating some of that magic as an ENT captain, this organization has given me the opportunity to gain so much through giving even more. I have gotten not only to see myself grow as a leader and team member, but I’ve also gotten to better understand and further contextualize the impact that THON has on the community. As a member of the executive committee, you get an incredible outlet to provide your voice in a way that maximizes your impact on the lives of others.
• What are your main responsibilities as a Director for THON™ 2026?   As Entertainment Director, my primary focus is to ensure the highest level of production value in performances and audio/visual entertainment at every THON event throughout the year. My responsibilities are broken down into three buckets: production/event management, talent management, and spectator engagement (through in-person and digital opportunities). I serve as the primary liaison with Production Management at the Bryce Jordan Center in addition to being the main contact for stage, lighting, and sound companies throughout the year.
  I will work yearlong to plan the technical needs for events and ensure that the costs of production are within the committee budget. Alongside the Head of Timeline and DJ Coordinators/DJs, we will work on executing events and planning the timeline of events.
  Talent Management is a large portion of my position as the ENT Director, overseeing the procurement of the National Act performance and maintaining strong and positive relationships with all talent groups. The ENT Director supervises the contracting process for talent and ensures that proper University protocol is followed. In this, I work with the Talent Coordinator, Stage Performance Coordinators, Bands Coordinators, and Floor Entertainment.
  Lastly, I will work to ensure all spectators – both in person and virtually – are engaged with the help of the Crowd Entertainment and Digital Engagement captain positions. This ranges from helping to plan crowd engagement initiatives to working with 46LIVE for our live-streaming broadcasts. 46LIVE produces the live stream for our events, and it is my aim to foster a strong relationship with 46LIVE and ensure they have all their needs met to produce the best livestream possible.
  These roles are in addition to leading a team of 28 Captains and overseeing the leadership of 2 pairs of Captains with Committees, which results in a total of over 80 volunteers directly involved with the Entertainment Committee.
• What is your favorite THON memory?  My favorite THON memory was during the THON Kickoff Show last year, where I, alongside my co-captain Norah, had the pleasure of introducing the first performers of THON Weekend 2025. This event was directly before the Executive Committee announced Dancer Stand, so we had the pleasure to build the energy up for the start of an electric weekend – the best weekend of the year. Being able to see the beginning of a year of hard work culminate with screaming “get ready for THON Weekend 2025” was an incredible experience. Seeing the anticipation painted on the thousands of faces out in the audience was an incredible moment, one I will never forget, that has given me further inspiration to paint even more smiles for the year to come.
• What is your favorite quote?  “Service is the rent we pay to be living” – Marian Wright Edelman
• What are you involved in outside of being a THON™ Director?  Outside of being a THON director, I am an avid fan of professional soccer; a US Men’s National Team superfan and supporter of Chelsea Football Club. I am also a big enjoyer of music and love going to concerts. I play bass guitar in a band, Hot Fudge Yacht Club, where we love to play concerts, including winning the Movin’ On Battle of the Bands in 2024 and opening Movin’ On, and having various projects released on streaming services.
• What are your plans after graduation from Penn State?  I plan to work in Supply Chain consulting while still being involved in THON Nation as a Penn State Alumni!