Northwestern University Dance Marathon
Encyclopedia
The Northwestern University Dance Marathon (also known as NUDM) is a philanthropic dance marathon
held annually at Northwestern University
. Currently in its 38th year, NUDM is one of the world's largest student-run philanthropies . As a strong campus tradition, Dance Marathon
, or DM, brings together over 1,500 students, faculty, staff, and administrators in a thirty hour dance-a-thon. Students, serving as either dancers or committee members, fundraise all year to support its beneficiaries, culminating in an all-campus celebration weekend in the beginning of March. In addition to DM weekend, special events occur throughout the entire year, such as a cooking competition, a basketball tournament, and trivia nights. Each dancer pair raises at least $800 for the honor of dancing. About 400 committee members assist in the planning and execution of DM and related events.
To maintain the morale of the dancers, campus a capella groups, dance troupes, and student bands visit Dance Marathon to perform. Before sunrise on Saturday morning, dancers are treated to a quick foot massage to help reenergize them to finish the day. In other areas of the Norris University Center DM hosts events for all Northwestern students and community visitors to enjoy during the weekend, such as a Spa, a 5k/10k run, and a Kid's Fair hosted by Northwestern student groups.
Each year DM selects a primary and secondary beneficiary to receive the money collected after months of fundraising and 30 hours of dancing. During DM, spectators visit the Norris University Center at Northwestern University
, where DM takes place, to support the dancers and to take part in events such as a DM Spa and a 5K run. These events are planned to involve community members from Northwestern, Evanston, Illinois
and nearby communities in DM. This community involvement fulfills DM's mission of uniting the Northwestern University campus and the nearby communities thorough education and philanthropic fundraising.
fraternity and the Associated Student Government, was born on the Northwestern University campus.
The concept for Dance Marathon was sparked by Cheryl Wexler Scott, the 1973 Homecoming co-chair. At the time, she was searching for a philanthropic endeavor to kick off the weekend festivities when she recalled a Jane Fonda movie she had viewed the summer before. The film, "They Shoot Horses Don't They," chronicles a Depression-era marathon dance contest that attracts destitute participants to vie for a $1,500 prize
Twenty-one couples danced for DM in 1975. It was called the "Dance to Give Them a Chance" marathon then, and it benefited the American Epilepsy Foundation and the National Association for Retarded Citizens. Fifteen couples made it through the fifty-two hour marathon, raising $9,105 at Blomquist Memorial Gymnasium. The winning couple, Donna Miller and Tony Krileff, was sponsored by Bobb Hall and a local liquor store.
DM 1976 saw a new venue as the dancing was moved to Patten Gym and the dancing time was lessened to twenty-six hours. When the sponsor decided to discontinue the event after two years, Triangle Fraternity picked up the mantle and looked for a venue where other fund-raising events were possible. In 1977, DM found its current home: the Norris University Center, where students have been dancing for thirty hours at a time ever since. To institutionalize the event for the long haul and ensure a continuing flow of good ideas from students, organizers turned it into a campus-wide charitable event.
Special events to raise extra money for the cause were added over the years, like the DM Spa, where manicures and haircuts are given in Norris during Dance Marathon weekend. Other events take place to keep the rest of the campus involved while the dancers are busy, such as a DDR tournament and performances by on-campus groups.
Chicago's The Second City
comedy troupe paid a visit in 1984. Since that time, popular bands and performers have been a highlight of DM weekend. DM has attracted the attention of people like Barack Obama
, George
and Barbara Bush
, Frank Sinatra, Jr.
, Jeff Probst
, Scott Wolf
, NU alumnus David Schwimmer
, and former NU chemical engineering student Cindy Crawford
. Chicago celebrities, like former mayor Jane Byrne
and Chicago Bears
players Mike Tomczak
, Keith Van Horne
and Trace Armstrong
, have also danced.
In 2007, DM raised $708,711, for its primary beneficiary, Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy. For the past ten years, Dance Marathon has contributed between $25,000 and $45,000 annually, to the Evanston Community Foundation making Northwestern students among the Evanston Community Foundation's five largest donors.
In 2008, DM benefited Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, raising $933,855. It also continued its partnership with the Evanston Community Foundation. Bear Necessities is an organization dedicated to finding a cure for pediatric cancer as well as improving the quality of life of those children and their families who are affected by it.
DM 2009 selected Project Kindle as the primary beneficiary. Project Kindle is a national organization that serves as a support system for families affected or infected by HIV and AIDS, and as an educator for the general public. The Evanston Community Foundation was the secondary beneficiary for the 12th year.
DM 2009 took place Friday March 6- Sunday March 8, raising $917,834.
DM 2010 selected StandUp for Kids as the primary beneficiary. StandUp for Kids works to find and help homeless youth in cities across the United States. In addition to providing basic necessities and support for homeless youth, they also work to deter kids from running away. The Evanston Community Foundation was the secondary beneficiary for the 13th year.
DM 2010 took place Friday March 5 - Sunday March 7, raising $854,396.
DM 2011 announced The Children's Heart Foundation as their primary beneficiary in May 2010. The Children's Heart Foundation (CHF) is the sole organization focused exclusively on funding research and raising awareness for congenital heart defects, the most common birth defect in the world and the leading cause of birth defect-related deaths. The Children's Heart Foundation was also the primary beneficiary for DM 1999. The Evanston Community Foundation was selected as the secondary beneficiary for the 14th consecutive year.
DM 2011 took place Friday March 4 - Sunday March 6, 2011, raising $1,019,130. This was the first time that NUDM's fundraising passed the $1M mark.
Dance marathon
A dance marathon is an event in which people stay on their feet for a given length of time. It started as a popular fad in the 1920s and 1930s, when organized dance endurance contests attracted people to compete to achieve fame or win monetary prizes...
held annually at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
. Currently in its 38th year, NUDM is one of the world's largest student-run philanthropies . As a strong campus tradition, Dance Marathon
Dance marathon
A dance marathon is an event in which people stay on their feet for a given length of time. It started as a popular fad in the 1920s and 1930s, when organized dance endurance contests attracted people to compete to achieve fame or win monetary prizes...
, or DM, brings together over 1,500 students, faculty, staff, and administrators in a thirty hour dance-a-thon. Students, serving as either dancers or committee members, fundraise all year to support its beneficiaries, culminating in an all-campus celebration weekend in the beginning of March. In addition to DM weekend, special events occur throughout the entire year, such as a cooking competition, a basketball tournament, and trivia nights. Each dancer pair raises at least $800 for the honor of dancing. About 400 committee members assist in the planning and execution of DM and related events.
To maintain the morale of the dancers, campus a capella groups, dance troupes, and student bands visit Dance Marathon to perform. Before sunrise on Saturday morning, dancers are treated to a quick foot massage to help reenergize them to finish the day. In other areas of the Norris University Center DM hosts events for all Northwestern students and community visitors to enjoy during the weekend, such as a Spa, a 5k/10k run, and a Kid's Fair hosted by Northwestern student groups.
Each year DM selects a primary and secondary beneficiary to receive the money collected after months of fundraising and 30 hours of dancing. During DM, spectators visit the Norris University Center at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
, where DM takes place, to support the dancers and to take part in events such as a DM Spa and a 5K run. These events are planned to involve community members from Northwestern, Evanston, Illinois
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
and nearby communities in DM. This community involvement fulfills DM's mission of uniting the Northwestern University campus and the nearby communities thorough education and philanthropic fundraising.
History
More than thirty years ago, Dance Marathon, the philanthropic child of Alpha Tau OmegaAlpha Tau Omega
Alpha Tau Omega is a secret American leadership and social fraternity.The Fraternity has more than 250 active and inactive chapters, more than 200,000 initiates, and over 7,000 active undergraduate members. The 200,000th member was initiated in early 2009...
fraternity and the Associated Student Government, was born on the Northwestern University campus.
The concept for Dance Marathon was sparked by Cheryl Wexler Scott, the 1973 Homecoming co-chair. At the time, she was searching for a philanthropic endeavor to kick off the weekend festivities when she recalled a Jane Fonda movie she had viewed the summer before. The film, "They Shoot Horses Don't They," chronicles a Depression-era marathon dance contest that attracts destitute participants to vie for a $1,500 prize
Twenty-one couples danced for DM in 1975. It was called the "Dance to Give Them a Chance" marathon then, and it benefited the American Epilepsy Foundation and the National Association for Retarded Citizens. Fifteen couples made it through the fifty-two hour marathon, raising $9,105 at Blomquist Memorial Gymnasium. The winning couple, Donna Miller and Tony Krileff, was sponsored by Bobb Hall and a local liquor store.
DM 1976 saw a new venue as the dancing was moved to Patten Gym and the dancing time was lessened to twenty-six hours. When the sponsor decided to discontinue the event after two years, Triangle Fraternity picked up the mantle and looked for a venue where other fund-raising events were possible. In 1977, DM found its current home: the Norris University Center, where students have been dancing for thirty hours at a time ever since. To institutionalize the event for the long haul and ensure a continuing flow of good ideas from students, organizers turned it into a campus-wide charitable event.
Special events to raise extra money for the cause were added over the years, like the DM Spa, where manicures and haircuts are given in Norris during Dance Marathon weekend. Other events take place to keep the rest of the campus involved while the dancers are busy, such as a DDR tournament and performances by on-campus groups.
Chicago's The Second City
The Second City
The Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles...
comedy troupe paid a visit in 1984. Since that time, popular bands and performers have been a highlight of DM weekend. DM has attracted the attention of people like Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
, George
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
and Barbara Bush
Barbara Bush
Barbara Pierce Bush is the wife of the 41st President of the United States George H. W. Bush, and served as First Lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993. She is the mother of the 43rd President George W. Bush and of the 43rd Governor of Florida Jeb Bush...
, Frank Sinatra, Jr.
Frank Sinatra, Jr.
Franklin Wayne Sinatra , professionally known as Frank Sinatra, Jr., is an American singer, songwriter and conductor....
, Jeff Probst
Jeff Probst
Jeffrey Lee "Jeff" Probst is an American game show host, executive producer and a reporter. He is best known as the host of the U.S. version of the reality show Survivor.-Biography:...
, Scott Wolf
Scott Wolf
Scott Richard Wolf is an American actor, known for his roles on the television series Party of Five as Bailey Salinger and on Everwood as Dr. Jake Hartman. Since 2009, he has appeared in the Sci-Fi series V as the morally ambiguous journalist, Chad Decker.-Early life:Wolf was born in Boston,...
, NU alumnus David Schwimmer
David Schwimmer
David Lawrence Schwimmer is an American actor and director of television and film. He was born in New York City, and his family moved to Los Angeles when he was two. He began his acting career performing in school plays at Beverly Hills High School. In 1988, he graduated from Northwestern...
, and former NU chemical engineering student Cindy Crawford
Cindy Crawford
Cynthia Ann "Cindy" Crawford is an American model. Known for her trademark mole just above her lip, Crawford has adorned hundreds of magazine covers throughout her career. She was named #3 on VH1's 40 Hottest Hotties of the 90s...
. Chicago celebrities, like former mayor Jane Byrne
Jane Byrne
Jane Margaret Byrne was the first and to date only female Mayor of Chicago. She served from April 16, 1979 to April 29, 1983. Chicago is the largest city in the United States to have had a female mayor as of 2011.-Early political career:...
and Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
players Mike Tomczak
Mike Tomczak
Michael John "Mike" Tomczak is a former American football player. Tomczak played quarterback for several NFL teams including the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers....
, Keith Van Horne
Keith Van Horne
Keith Van Horne is a retired American football tackle.-High school:Keith attended Fullerton High School, Fullerton, California.His Fullerton football varsity team mate was future NFL...
and Trace Armstrong
Trace Armstrong
Raymond Lester "Trace" Armstrong, III is a former American college and professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League for fifteen seasons from the late 1980s to the early 2000s...
, have also danced.
Beneficiaries
Since its inaugural year, DM has raised over $12 million for various charities.In 2007, DM raised $708,711, for its primary beneficiary, Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy. For the past ten years, Dance Marathon has contributed between $25,000 and $45,000 annually, to the Evanston Community Foundation making Northwestern students among the Evanston Community Foundation's five largest donors.
In 2008, DM benefited Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, raising $933,855. It also continued its partnership with the Evanston Community Foundation. Bear Necessities is an organization dedicated to finding a cure for pediatric cancer as well as improving the quality of life of those children and their families who are affected by it.
DM 2009 selected Project Kindle as the primary beneficiary. Project Kindle is a national organization that serves as a support system for families affected or infected by HIV and AIDS, and as an educator for the general public. The Evanston Community Foundation was the secondary beneficiary for the 12th year.
DM 2009 took place Friday March 6- Sunday March 8, raising $917,834.
DM 2010 selected StandUp for Kids as the primary beneficiary. StandUp for Kids works to find and help homeless youth in cities across the United States. In addition to providing basic necessities and support for homeless youth, they also work to deter kids from running away. The Evanston Community Foundation was the secondary beneficiary for the 13th year.
DM 2010 took place Friday March 5 - Sunday March 7, raising $854,396.
DM 2011 announced The Children's Heart Foundation as their primary beneficiary in May 2010. The Children's Heart Foundation (CHF) is the sole organization focused exclusively on funding research and raising awareness for congenital heart defects, the most common birth defect in the world and the leading cause of birth defect-related deaths. The Children's Heart Foundation was also the primary beneficiary for DM 1999. The Evanston Community Foundation was selected as the secondary beneficiary for the 14th consecutive year.
DM 2011 took place Friday March 4 - Sunday March 6, 2011, raising $1,019,130. This was the first time that NUDM's fundraising passed the $1M mark.
| Primary Beneficiaries: (totals reflect monetary and in-kind donations, divided among the primary and secondary beneficiary) 2012: The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation (http://www.bepositive.org/) 2011: Children's Heart Foundation (http://www.childrensheartfoundation.org/) $1,019,130 2010: StandUp for Kids (http://www.standupforkids.org/) $854,396 2009: Project Kindle (http://www.projectkindle.org/) $917,834 2008: Bear Necessities (http://www.bearnecessities.org/) $933,805 2007: CURE-Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (http://www.cureepilepsy.org/home.asp) $708,711 2006: Pediatric AIDS Chicago Prevention Initiative (PACPI) (http://www.pregnantandpositive.org/) $686,377 2005: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in (http://www.jdrf.org/) $625,131 2004: Have Dreams (http://www.havedreams.org/) $461,294 2003: Chicago Urban Youth Scholarship Fund $462,613 2002: Friends for Steven (http://www.friendsforsteven.org/) $492,000 2001: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (http://www.pedaids.org/) $540,257 2000: Gilda's Club Chicago (http://www.gildasclubchicago.org/home.html) $537,645 1999: Children's Heart Foundation (http://www.childrensheartfoundation.org/) $450,833 1998: La Rabida Children's Hospital and Research Center (http://larabida.org/) $431,524 1997: The Gus Foundation (http://www.childrensmemorial.org/friends/foundation/youngassociatesboard.aspx) $405,563 1996: Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northern Illinois (http://www.wishes.org/) $315,143 1995: Pediatrics AIDS Ward of Children's Memorial $301,023 1994: Leukemia Research Foundation (http://www.leukemia-research.org/Page.aspx?pid=183) $250,258 1993: American Heart Association (http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200000) $200,438 |