Dance Marathon (Northwestern University)

Dates

• Existence: 1975    

Biography

The Northwestern University Dance Marathon, commonly known as NUDM, is a philanthropic dance marathon held annually during March in Evanston, Illinois on the campus of Northwestern University. The idea for NUDM began when NU student Jan Jacobowitz (Comm 1976) participated in a dance marathon benefiting local charities on the campus of the University of Illinois in 1974. She approached Tim Rivelli, Associated Student Government Vice President, about starting a similarly philanthropic dance marathon at Northwestern. Jacobowitz and Rivelli met with representatives of the American Epilepsy Foundation and the Dance Marathon was born. ATO, Rivelli's fraternity ran the event.

Twenty-one couples danced for NUDM 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 was Donna Miller and Tony Krileff. NUDM 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, NUDM 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 NUDM Spa, where manicures and haircuts are given in Norris during the weekend of NUDM. Other events take place to keep the rest of the campus involved while the dancers are busy. Associated DM campus events include: 5K Frozen Run, Casino events, theatrical productions such as musicals and performances by on-campus groups. Dance Marathon maintains an office in the Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208.

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