History

     The Dance Marathon started at Georgia Tech in 2003. When Michael Casner, a third year Biomedical Engineering major, joined Lambda Sigma, the sophomore honor society, he brought to the group the idea of doing a Dance Marathon. He had heard about these events at other campuses and thought that Lambda Sigma could have one in the spring. "I thought that if UGA could do it, Tech students could do it too, and better," said Casner, "I presented the idea to Lambda Sigma, and it just took off from there." Lambda Sigma worked to plan the event and sought from other campus organizations such as the Georgia Tech Student Foundation, Phi Mu Sorority, the Georgia Tech MOVE Office, and Georgia Tech Auxilliary Services.

    The first Dance Marathon at Georgia Tech took place on March 19th, 2004, at the newly renovated Campus Recreation Center and three-hundred students participated. At the event, students enjoyed free food, games, a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament, a live DJ, patient testimonials, performances by various student dance and music groups and other activities after weeks of preparation, fundraising, and hard work. In 2003 the students raised $18,633.20 for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, the Children's Miracle Network's partner in the metro-Atlanta area.

    The next year Dance Marathon at Georgia Tech became an independent organization, seperate from Lambda Sigma. The 2005 even took place on Friday, February 11th at the Campus Recreation Center, and nearly 600 students participated. Over the course of the year, 2005's Dance marathon raised $33,892.14 for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

    This upcoming year the Dance Marathon team is hoping to again reach new levels through several changes and an exciting upcoming collaboration with the University of Georgia Dance Marathon at the November 26th Georgia Tech vs. UGA football game right here at Tech.