Penn State Dance Marathon
Encyclopedia
The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, commonly referred to as THON, is a two day Dance Marathon
that takes place every February at the Pennsylvania State University
with the purpose of raising money to combat pediatric cancer
. It was started in 1973 by the University's Interfraternity Council, and in its first year, more than $2,000 was raised, with 39 couples dancing for 30 hours straight. Today, it is the largest student-run philanthropy
in the world with $9,563,016.09 having been raised at the 2011 event. The money that is raised is donated to The Four Diamonds Fund
, a charity devoted to defeating pediatric cancer through research and caring for patients at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center Children's Hospital. More than 15,000 students get involved in the event each year, organizing it and raising funds with the rallying cry, "FOR THE KIDS!".
Originally, THON was proposed as a way to rebuild the Intrafraternity Council's image, and began as a dance competition. More than $2,000 was raised, and it went to a charity for mentally retarded
children, while the couple that raised the most money and completed the thirty hour marathon received $300. The following year, fundraising efforts multiplied, the length of the event was extended to 48 hours, and more than $10,000 was raised for the American Heart Association
.
In 1977, a new charity was selected to be the recipient of the money raised by the dance marathon, The Four Diamonds Fund
. That year, nearly $29,000 was raised, and in 1978, nearly $53,000 was raised and designated for pediatric leukemia
. That year, in a car accident while travelling from Penn State to the Hershey Medical Center to deliver the check for the money raised, several students were injured, and one, Kevin Steinberg, was killed. Today, one THON organizer is recognized each year for outstanding service with the Kevin Steinberg Award. That event sealed the bond between THON and The Four Diamonds Fund — THON has made a pledge that all money raised will be donated to Four Diamonds as long as they continue the fight against pediatric cancer.
In 1979, THON held its Kick-off Dinner for the first time and also moved into a new home: the Mary Beaver White Building. That year, the organization raised $72,132 for the kids. In 1982, Penn State Heisman Trophy
winner John Cappelletti
spoke to the dancers about losing his brother, Joey, to leukemia ten years earlier, and the event that year raised more than $95,000, and the following year, the sum of $131,000 was raised. In 1988, nearly $300,000 was raised, and in 1990, THON raised $671,000. That year, the Panhellenic Council became an official co-sponsor, and the IFC Dance Marathon became the IFC / Panhellenic Dance Marathon. Two years later, the 20th anniversary THON passed the million dollar mark. $2.0 million was raised in 1998.
In 1995, the organization chose Stacy Bingler as the first female Overall Chairperson. Two years later, in 1997, the first Family Carnival was held, and the next year, THON was held in the White Building for the very last time. In 1999, the marathon moved to Rec Hall
. $3.0 million was raised in 2000, only one year later. In 2006, the previous record of $4.1 million was broken when more than $4.21 million was raised. 2010 marked the fifteenth year Alpha Tau Omega
and Zeta Tau Alpha
were the top money raising organizations, raising more than $308,000 combined and over $1,000,000 in the last four years. In addition, Alpha Tau Omega and Zeta Tau Alpha hold the distinction of having the longest consecutive top funding stretch. In 2009, Atlas
became the first independent organization to break the $200,000 mark, raising over $216,000 and being the third overall fundraising organization. Atlas, in 2011, raised $381,884.97, marking the first time in THON history that an independent organization was the top fundraiser. Independent organizations such as Atlas were created for the sole reason of supporting THON. In 2007, THON was moved to the larger Bryce Jordan Center
and shortened to 46 hours.
In recent years, with sufficient money to cover treatment costs, THON has shifted its focus to long-term projects. The first such project was the establishment of the Four Diamonds Research Institute at the Penn State Children's Hospital. Two endowed chair positions, complete with lab funding and research scholarships, have now been funded. The original pledge of $5 million for this project was made in 1999 and was to be paid over 5 years, but the organization did it in only two. In 2004, $10 million, to be contributed over six years, was pledged to create a Pediatric Cancer Pavilion at the Hershey Medical Center. While the current facilities are completely modern from a medical point-of-view, treatment areas are scattered all over the hospital, and many of the facilities are not designed for the treatment of pediatric patients. The Pavilion's design will consolidate all of these functions and include design features—like wide hallways for play and water fountains appropriate for a child's height—designed specifically for its young visitors.
A number of events throughout the year pave the way to THON weekend:
. Awards are given to the top finishers in different age categories. Typically a Four Diamonds family comes and speaks before the race starts. The race starts and ends at the Bryce Jordan Center located on Curtin Road on Penn State's University Park campus.
Awards include:
on the Penn State University campus in State College, PA, USA. Captains, committee members, and the Overall Committee spend the entire weekend there conducting the event, even sleeping in makeshift accommodations set up throughout the building. Each of the organizing committees is responsible for different tasks throughout the weekend. For example, Morale keeps the dancers motivated, Rules and Regulations keeps them safe, and OPPerations performs construction and janitorial duties.
The dancers, unlike the volunteers, do not get to take a break. They are, however, treated to a variety of food solicited by the Hospitality committee and donated by various local restaurants and stores. Volunteers are also responsible for ensuring that the dancers are entertained throughout the two days. For many years now, Larry Moore has been the event's official DJ, staying awake with the dancers and spinning their favorite tunes as well as crowd favorites like "Living on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi
. While teams were once ranked by their dancing, docked points for both time off the floor and not keeping time with the music, Dance Marathon has become a no-sitting, no-sleeping marathon. Dancers are expected to remain awake and on their feet all weekend. It is not unusual to see dancers remain standing even while receiving medical attention from athletic trainers and EMTs who also volunteer their time.
Many visitors come to Penn State for THON Weekend. Alumni, especially those with past volunteer involvement, frequently return for the event. Penn State tour guides make certain to introduce prospective students and their families to the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. Current and former Four Diamonds families (those receiving support from the Fund for their child's illness) are perhaps the most welcome visitors. Dancers and fundraising organizations look forward to seeing the children that ultimately benefit from their actions. The Family Relations committee is responsible for ensuring their time there is a respite from their usual concerns.
Local and national news coverage of the event is common. Large sections of both the campus newspaper, The Daily Collegian
, and the local newspaper, The Centre Daily Times, are devoted to covering it each year. It has been featured on The Today Show on NBC
more than once. Each year, promotional videos are produced which are widely purchased by students and alumni. In 2005, under the guidance of the Technology committee, webcasts were begun on both the public Internet
and high-speed Penn State inter-campus links. The former brought the events to children being treated at Hershey who were too sick to make the trip themselves. Most recently, the website has been redesigned by the Technology Committee to give THON a completely new look.
THON Weekend 2012 will take place from February 17-19, 2012.
Fundraising is not the only focus. One of THON's primary goals is to raise awareness of the plight of children afflicted with pediatric cancer. Campus organizations, especially fraternities and sororities, compete for "Spirit Points" that are seen as in the "Spirit of THON". Possibilities for earning points include volunteering on one of the organizing committees, hosting or attending THON events, and donating materials necessary for the weekend itself. While points were once awarded purely on number of team members involved, there has been a recent shift to awards based on percentage of members involved. This new system was an attempt to level the playing field for smaller student organizations. The winning organization receives a number of prizes, including special admission privileges to that year's event, as well as the following year's.
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...
that takes place every February at the Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
with the purpose of raising money to combat pediatric cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. It was started in 1973 by the University's Interfraternity Council, and in its first year, more than $2,000 was raised, with 39 couples dancing for 30 hours straight. Today, it is the largest student-run philanthropy
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
in the world with $9,563,016.09 having been raised at the 2011 event. The money that is raised is donated to The Four Diamonds Fund
Four Diamonds Fund
The Four Diamonds Fund is a charitable organization based out of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Its ultimate objective is to "conquer childhood cancer"....
, a charity devoted to defeating pediatric cancer through research and caring for patients at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center Children's Hospital. More than 15,000 students get involved in the event each year, organizing it and raising funds with the rallying cry, "FOR THE KIDS!".
History
| THON Milestones | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Dancers |
| 1973 | $2,136 USD United States dollar The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies.... First Penn State Dance Marathon |
78 |
| 1974 | $10,825 | 102 |
| 1977 | $52,818 Relationship with the Four Diamonds Fund Four Diamonds Fund The Four Diamonds Fund is a charitable organization based out of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Its ultimate objective is to "conquer childhood cancer".... begins |
56 Finish |
| 1983 | $131,182 First six-figure total |
502 |
| 1988 | $324,000 "THON" abbreviation adopted |
544 |
| 1990 | $671,572 Panhellenic Council joins IFC in sponsorship |
536 |
| 1992 | $1,141,145 First seven-figure total |
522 |
| 2011 | $9,563,016.09 Most recent THON |
708 |
Originally, THON was proposed as a way to rebuild the Intrafraternity Council's image, and began as a dance competition. More than $2,000 was raised, and it went to a charity for mentally retarded
Mental retardation
Mental retardation is a generalized disorder appearing before adulthood, characterized by significantly impaired cognitive functioning and deficits in two or more adaptive behaviors...
children, while the couple that raised the most money and completed the thirty hour marathon received $300. The following year, fundraising efforts multiplied, the length of the event was extended to 48 hours, and more than $10,000 was raised for the American Heart Association
American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a non-profit organization in the United States that fosters appropriate cardiac care in an effort to reduce disability and deaths caused by cardiovascular disease and stroke. It is headquartered in Dallas, Texas...
.
In 1977, a new charity was selected to be the recipient of the money raised by the dance marathon, The Four Diamonds Fund
Four Diamonds Fund
The Four Diamonds Fund is a charitable organization based out of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Its ultimate objective is to "conquer childhood cancer"....
. That year, nearly $29,000 was raised, and in 1978, nearly $53,000 was raised and designated for pediatric leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
. That year, in a car accident while travelling from Penn State to the Hershey Medical Center to deliver the check for the money raised, several students were injured, and one, Kevin Steinberg, was killed. Today, one THON organizer is recognized each year for outstanding service with the Kevin Steinberg Award. That event sealed the bond between THON and The Four Diamonds Fund — THON has made a pledge that all money raised will be donated to Four Diamonds as long as they continue the fight against pediatric cancer.
In 1979, THON held its Kick-off Dinner for the first time and also moved into a new home: the Mary Beaver White Building. That year, the organization raised $72,132 for the kids. In 1982, Penn State Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner John Cappelletti
John Cappelletti
John Cappelletti is a former professional American football running back for the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and the San Diego Chargers. Prior to his professional career, he attended the Pennsylvania State University, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1973. He was inducted into the College Football...
spoke to the dancers about losing his brother, Joey, to leukemia ten years earlier, and the event that year raised more than $95,000, and the following year, the sum of $131,000 was raised. In 1988, nearly $300,000 was raised, and in 1990, THON raised $671,000. That year, the Panhellenic Council became an official co-sponsor, and the IFC Dance Marathon became the IFC / Panhellenic Dance Marathon. Two years later, the 20th anniversary THON passed the million dollar mark. $2.0 million was raised in 1998.
In 1995, the organization chose Stacy Bingler as the first female Overall Chairperson. Two years later, in 1997, the first Family Carnival was held, and the next year, THON was held in the White Building for the very last time. In 1999, the marathon moved to Rec Hall
Rec Hall
Recreation Building, or Rec Hall as it is more commonly known, is a field house located on the University Park campus of the Pennsylvania State University. It was opened on January 15, 1929 and is still in use. Previously, Penn State's indoor sports teams played in a building known as the Armory,...
. $3.0 million was raised in 2000, only one year later. In 2006, the previous record of $4.1 million was broken when more than $4.21 million was raised. 2010 marked the fifteenth year Alpha Tau Omega
Alpha 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...
and Zeta Tau Alpha
Zeta Tau Alpha
Zeta Tau Alpha is a women's fraternity, founded October 15, 1898 at the State Female Normal School in Farmville, Virginia. The Executive office is located in Indianapolis, Indiana...
were the top money raising organizations, raising more than $308,000 combined and over $1,000,000 in the last four years. In addition, Alpha Tau Omega and Zeta Tau Alpha hold the distinction of having the longest consecutive top funding stretch. In 2009, Atlas
Atlas Benefiting THON
Atlas is a Penn State Dance Marathon special interest organization. The Penn State Dance Marathon is the world's largest student-run philanthropy which raises funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. Atlas was the top monetary contributor to THON 2011, raising $381,884.97...
became the first independent organization to break the $200,000 mark, raising over $216,000 and being the third overall fundraising organization. Atlas, in 2011, raised $381,884.97, marking the first time in THON history that an independent organization was the top fundraiser. Independent organizations such as Atlas were created for the sole reason of supporting THON. In 2007, THON was moved to the larger Bryce Jordan Center
Bryce Jordan Center
Bryce Jordan Center is a 15,261-seat multi-purpose arena in University Park, Pennsylvania. The arena opened in 1995 and is the largest such venue between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. It replaced Rec Hall as the home to the Penn State University Nittany Lions men's and women's basketball team, the...
and shortened to 46 hours.
In recent years, with sufficient money to cover treatment costs, THON has shifted its focus to long-term projects. The first such project was the establishment of the Four Diamonds Research Institute at the Penn State Children's Hospital. Two endowed chair positions, complete with lab funding and research scholarships, have now been funded. The original pledge of $5 million for this project was made in 1999 and was to be paid over 5 years, but the organization did it in only two. In 2004, $10 million, to be contributed over six years, was pledged to create a Pediatric Cancer Pavilion at the Hershey Medical Center. While the current facilities are completely modern from a medical point-of-view, treatment areas are scattered all over the hospital, and many of the facilities are not designed for the treatment of pediatric patients. The Pavilion's design will consolidate all of these functions and include design features—like wide hallways for play and water fountains appropriate for a child's height—designed specifically for its young visitors.
Events Throughout the Year
- Tours of the Penn State Children's Hospital are available year-round, enabling student volunteers to connect on a personal level with those whom their generosity benefits.
- 100 Days Until THON is a campus-wide event designed to encourage student involvement. Student volunteers staff information tables and activities all over Penn State's University Park campus.
- The new THON logo is announced each year during the THON Family Carnival.
THON 5K
This event, held in the fall, has grown into the largest 5K in central Pennsylvania. Thousands of runners gather each fall to raise awareness and funds for THON and The Four Diamonds FundFour Diamonds Fund
The Four Diamonds Fund is a charitable organization based out of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Its ultimate objective is to "conquer childhood cancer"....
. Awards are given to the top finishers in different age categories. Typically a Four Diamonds family comes and speaks before the race starts. The race starts and ends at the Bryce Jordan Center located on Curtin Road on Penn State's University Park campus.
THON Family Carnival
The Family Carnival is held each year approximately a month after the THON 5k is held. During the Family Carnival, many current and former Four Diamonds families come to Penn State to visit with their "Penn State pals" as well as their Adopt-a-Family organizations. Penn State's White Building is filled with games in the carnival or boardwalk style, all made and staffed by student volunteers. At the end of the event, THON's organizers and the Overall Committee unveil the new logo. At this time, the THON Store is re-opened and merchandise featuring the new logo is sold, with all the profits contributing to the year's total and donations for the Four Diamonds Fund.The Road to THON Celebration
This event, held in late January, was once the beginning of the "fundraising window", the period during which organizations may solicit funds in the charity's name. Year-round fundraising is prohibited for a variety of reasons. However, the fundraising window has been significantly expanded, now usually starting in early October. The Road to THON Celebration is no longer formally linked to fundraising, and has instead become a celebration of the "spirit of THON", featuring speeches by THON organizers and the presentation of awards to exceptional volunteers. In the past this event was known and recognized by volunteers as the "THON Kick-off Dinner."Awards include:
- The Four Diamond Awards: four awards given to those who best embody the virtues of Courage, Wisdom, Honesty, and Strength, which Chris Millard felt were essential for defeating pediatric cancer.
- The Rick Funk Leadership Award: given to any full-time undergraduate of at least 6th semester standing who has demonstrated commitment, loyalty, leadership, and the ability to motivate others involved in Dance Marathon.
- Kevin Steinberg Award: given to one THON organizer each year to recognize service to Dance Marathon and The Four Diamonds Fund.
THON Weekend
While Dance Marathon encompasses all of the fundraising and spirit activities held throughout the year, THON Weekend is the actual marathon itself, taking place during the third weekend in February. In 2007, THON moved to its new home in the Bryce Jordan CenterBryce Jordan Center
Bryce Jordan Center is a 15,261-seat multi-purpose arena in University Park, Pennsylvania. The arena opened in 1995 and is the largest such venue between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. It replaced Rec Hall as the home to the Penn State University Nittany Lions men's and women's basketball team, the...
on the Penn State University campus in State College, PA, USA. Captains, committee members, and the Overall Committee spend the entire weekend there conducting the event, even sleeping in makeshift accommodations set up throughout the building. Each of the organizing committees is responsible for different tasks throughout the weekend. For example, Morale keeps the dancers motivated, Rules and Regulations keeps them safe, and OPPerations performs construction and janitorial duties.
The dancers, unlike the volunteers, do not get to take a break. They are, however, treated to a variety of food solicited by the Hospitality committee and donated by various local restaurants and stores. Volunteers are also responsible for ensuring that the dancers are entertained throughout the two days. For many years now, Larry Moore has been the event's official DJ, staying awake with the dancers and spinning their favorite tunes as well as crowd favorites like "Living on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
. While teams were once ranked by their dancing, docked points for both time off the floor and not keeping time with the music, Dance Marathon has become a no-sitting, no-sleeping marathon. Dancers are expected to remain awake and on their feet all weekend. It is not unusual to see dancers remain standing even while receiving medical attention from athletic trainers and EMTs who also volunteer their time.
Many visitors come to Penn State for THON Weekend. Alumni, especially those with past volunteer involvement, frequently return for the event. Penn State tour guides make certain to introduce prospective students and their families to the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. Current and former Four Diamonds families (those receiving support from the Fund for their child's illness) are perhaps the most welcome visitors. Dancers and fundraising organizations look forward to seeing the children that ultimately benefit from their actions. The Family Relations committee is responsible for ensuring their time there is a respite from their usual concerns.
Local and national news coverage of the event is common. Large sections of both the campus newspaper, The Daily Collegian
The Daily Collegian (Pennsylvania)
The Daily Collegian is an award-winning, student-operated newspaper that is published independently at the Pennsylvania State University. The newspaper is printed on weekdays during the Fall, Spring, and second Summer semesters. It is distributed for free at the University Park campus...
, and the local newspaper, The Centre Daily Times, are devoted to covering it each year. It has been featured on The Today Show on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
more than once. Each year, promotional videos are produced which are widely purchased by students and alumni. In 2005, under the guidance of the Technology committee, webcasts were begun on both the public Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
and high-speed Penn State inter-campus links. The former brought the events to children being treated at Hershey who were too sick to make the trip themselves. Most recently, the website has been redesigned by the Technology Committee to give THON a completely new look.
THON Weekend 2012 will take place from February 17-19, 2012.
Student involvement
Besides the 700 dancers and more than 15,000 organizers, thousands of Penn State students get involved in raising money for THON. These students are generally organized into teams under other student organizations. Many organizations field THON teams, from fraternities and sororities to the Undergraduate Student Government. Teams are responsible for abiding by rules issued by the Overall Committee, the organizing body of THON, but are otherwise independent and allowed to raise funds however they see fit. Most of them go "canning", standing in public places throughout the U.S. Northeast on weekends from November to February with cans carrying the Penn State logo and the plea to "Help Kids with Cancer". Other students employ door-to-door solicitation and letter solicitation, while others request corporate donations. There has been a recent shift in focus to these alternative forms of fundraising as worries have emerged over student safety while canning.Fundraising is not the only focus. One of THON's primary goals is to raise awareness of the plight of children afflicted with pediatric cancer. Campus organizations, especially fraternities and sororities, compete for "Spirit Points" that are seen as in the "Spirit of THON". Possibilities for earning points include volunteering on one of the organizing committees, hosting or attending THON events, and donating materials necessary for the weekend itself. While points were once awarded purely on number of team members involved, there has been a recent shift to awards based on percentage of members involved. This new system was an attempt to level the playing field for smaller student organizations. The winning organization receives a number of prizes, including special admission privileges to that year's event, as well as the following year's.
Committees
Each committee is made up of a number of captains, as well as one overall chair, and assigned a color.- Overall - Composed of the 14 Committee Overalls as well as 1 Overall Chairperson
- Communications - Kelly Green - 26 Captains
- Donor Relations - Royal Blue - 25 Captains
- Entertainment - Orange - 22 Captains
- Family Relations - Light Blue - 20 Captains
- Finance - Dark Green - 26 Captains
- Hospitality - Hot Pink - 20 Captains
- Merchandise - Light Pink - 21 Captains
- Morale - Yellow - 21 Captains
- OPPerations - Navy Blue - 21 Captains
- Public Relations - Purple - 20 Captains
- Rules and Regulations - Red - 34 Captains
- Special Events - Maroon - 21 Captains
- Supply Logistics - Charcoal - 23 Captains
- Technology - Safety Green - 20 Captains
See also
- Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
- Four Diamonds FundFour Diamonds FundThe Four Diamonds Fund is a charitable organization based out of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Its ultimate objective is to "conquer childhood cancer"....
- Bryce Jordan CenterBryce Jordan CenterBryce Jordan Center is a 15,261-seat multi-purpose arena in University Park, Pennsylvania. The arena opened in 1995 and is the largest such venue between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. It replaced Rec Hall as the home to the Penn State University Nittany Lions men's and women's basketball team, the...
- Pennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State UniversityThe Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
- Dance in the United StatesDance in the United StatesThere is great variety in dance in the United States of America. It is the home of the hip hop dance and its derivative Rock and Roll, and modern square dance and one of the major centers for modern dance...
- CancerCancerCancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
- Northwestern University Dance MarathonNorthwestern University Dance MarathonThe Northwestern University Dance Marathon 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...