'Unbelievably Touching'
Ohio Wesleyan Senior's Pelotonia Internship Supports Fundraising for Cancer Research
Name: Thomas Stathulis '25
Hometown: Westerville, Ohio
High School: Westerville South High School
Majors: Finance and Business Administration: Management Concentration
OWU Connection Experience: Working as an intern for the nonprofit Pelotonia organization in Columbus, Ohio.
Stathulis was awarded an Ohio Wesleyan Blaine E. Grimes Grant to support his summer internship in Pelotonia's Finance Department. Pelotonia helps raise money for cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. Its signature event is an annual bicycle ride, with 100% of participant-raised funds supporting innovative research.
"The (Economics and Business) professors in Corns as well as the members of The Woltemade Center do a fantastic job making sure everyone is aware of all of the opportunities presented to OWU students. The ability to have financial help over the summer was just a heavy burden taken off my shoulders.
My Role
"I was working within the Finance Department as an accounting and gift processing intern. Many of our donations have to be manually inputted into the system and properly allocated to the correct riders. Every day I handled online and in-office donations while also auditing our finances to ensure accurate reporting."
More Than Money
"I think everyone should take time to work for a nonprofit for some period of time because of the emotional reward that comes with it. Sometimes we get so locked up with thinking about making money and our futures, but many need to take a step back and just get a full range of life experiences."
'Collaboration'
"One word that sticks out to me about this summer is collaboration. No one department or person can take on an event of this magnitude on their own. With the hard work of all of the employees and our volunteers, this event is able to be put on. In the classroom, whether working on a group project or studying for a test with another peer, it takes a collective effort to get the job done."
Being able to put on the event that raises money for cancer research that has saved the lives of many people in my family was just an unbelievably touching experience.
My Favorite Moment
"Working Ride Weekend was the clear highlight of my internship because it is the culmination of a summer's worth of hard work. Being able to put on the event that raises money for cancer research that has saved the lives of many people in my family was just an unbelievably touching experience."
Outside the Classroom
"I am a captain on the varsity men's soccer team, a Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholar, and a member of both the Woltemade Economic and Business Fellows and the Accounting and Finance Fellows."
Why Ohio Wesleyan?
"The elite soccer team coupled with the opportunity to go to a great academic school close to home were all key selling points."
My Plans After Graduation
"After graduation, I want to pursue a future in entrepreneurship and also seek additional education in the field of business. OWU does a wonderful job providing its students with both financial aid and help in finding places that best fit you after college."