Penn State news by
Penn State's student blog

Topics

More

#TBT: THON Fundraisers In Second Life

The early days of the internet were full of weird and crazy things. In the mid-aughts, massively multiplayer games online roleplaying games like World of Warcraft were all the rage. Then came the development of Second Life in 2003, an ambitious project that wasn’t so much a game, but a whole virtual world users could experience. People could buy houses (paid for with real life money), get married, and make friends, all while walking around with personal user-created avatars.

Things started to heat up in 2005 when Second Life garnered some media attention and its userbase began to increase. Companies started buying land to advertise their products, religious organizations held virtual masses (Muslim users can even take a virtual Hajj to prepare for the real thing), and countries like Estonia, Sweden, and Columbia even began opening virtual embassies. Former Virginia Governor Mark Warner even gave a speech in Second Life in 2006.

So naturally, Penn State decided to open up a virtual World Campus in Second Life, complete with replicas of the Creamery and the Diner. We went on a tour of the Campus in 2009, but that wasn’t the first time Penn State got involved with Second Life. A THON fundraiser was held also in Second Life in 2009, when a guitarist by the name of Rich Desoto put on what may very well be the only virtual THON fundraiser ever done (unless you count DonorDrive, I guess).

While it seems like Penn State has abandoned its Second Life dreams, plenty of other schools have kept on chugging along with it. Maybe in time THON could even make a return to the platform without the virtual campus!

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Matt Paolizzi

Since graduating from Penn State in 2021, Matt is (hopefully) manning a successful job and (hopefully) living a happy life by now. In a past life, he was a writer for Onward State and remains a proud alumnus of the best student publication in the country. Check out Podward State too, Onward State's official podcast, that he co-founded alongside Matt Ogden and Mitch Stewart in 2019. It's his baby, give it a wave and make sure it's doing okay. Thanks to da king Sam Brungo and everyone who follows, it most definitely is.

State College Goodwill Sells Rare Lego Piece For Over $18,000

While it took some time for Goodwill experts to know what they had on their hands, initial offers for the peice came in at $30,000.

New Defensive Coordinator Tom Allen Brings Key Wrinkles To Penn State Football’s Defense

“We try to keep things simple so we can play fast.”

Women’s History Month: Five Influential Penn State Alumnae

To celebrate Women’s History Month, learn more about five influential Penn State Alumnae.

Follow on Another Platform
113kFollowers
164kFollowers
59.4kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Other posts by Matt

Happiness Is Easy: Matt Paolizzi’s Senior Column

“Mark Hollis once sang, ‘Happiness is easy.’ It’s never easy, but man, it certainly seems more achievable for me nowadays. All you need are people you love.”

Student-Run Clothing Brand JERPA Jeans Ready For Its Close-Up

Podward State: Season 3, Episode 7