Rohit Anand uses his status to help the Children’s Miracle Network State-A-Thon.

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Rohit Anand is recognizable to many SDSU basketball game attendees as the t-shirt guy. He is also a senior computer science major, a regular at The Union and is often seen talking to a variety of friends.

What people do not know about Anand is that he was voted Mr. SDSU on Dec. 1 at the Performing Arts Center.

Anand registered for the Mr. SDSU competition through Residential Life at the University Program Council office. The contest included a formal wear fashion show, interview round and a lip syncing contest.

“I wanted [to run] for Mr. SDSU because of my passion for the State-A-Thon,” Anand said.

The State-A-Thon is a phone-a-thon that benefits the Children’s Miracle Network. Rather than using his Mr. SDSU title for personal gain, Anand said it is a way to facilitate awareness about this years State-A-Thon, which is set for 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. March 19 in the Volstorff Ballroom in The Union.

The $475 Anand won for being Mr. SDSU went to the State-A-Thon.

“This was a great way to promote State-A-Thon,” Anand said. “SDSU has been helping the CMN for over 10 years.”

Anand is the Recruitment Chair for CMN at SDSU. As a State-A-Thon Morale Leader, Anand’s goal was to raise $150, which he already exceeded with his winnings. So he raised his personal goal to $750, according to Anand’s profile on the benefit’s website.

“The State-A-Thon brought in $33,483 last year … and unlike other fundraisers, 100 percent of the funds raised goes to Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls,” said Ashton Wenz, the State-A-Thon Coordinator for UPC.

Rohit’s title as Mr. SDSU “has helped create the highest participation in 10 years,” Wenz said. This year’s goal is $40,000.

“We are well on our way,” Wenz said.

The students have raised enough money over the years to have the SDSU CMN committee sponsor a room at the children’s hospital.

Andy Kvernmo, development officer for Sanford’s CMN, said he is happy that SDSU students feel passionate about CMN.

“We feel fortunate [SDSU has] chosen us,” Kvernmo said. “SDSU has raised approximately $162,000 to date … We love it!”

Kvernmo went on to say students like Anand not only help CMN, but they gain important career skills as they participate in functions like the State-A-Thon.

Aside from the 12-hour phone-a-thon, there will be a special performance by Plastic Musik at 8 p.m. that evening, which will be open to the public. The money raised to bring in bands was donated by the UPC and other sources and does not affect the donations received by the State-A-Thon.

If anyone wants to help support CMN, they can register for the State-A-Thon or donate money to the event.

#1.2042952:337827801.png:Rohit.png:Rohit Anand shoots a t-shirt into the crowd during a break at an SDSU home basketball game.:Collegian Photo by Robby Gallagher

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