UNC Charlotte “University in Action” 2013-14
Student Co-curricular Engagement
The Levine Scholars Program is UNC Charlotte’s most prestigious merit scholarship program. Established in
2009 by benefactors, Sandra and Leon Levine, 15 high school seniors are selected each year to join this
program. Emulating the role that the Levine’s have bestowed upon the Charlotte community, key tenets to
awarded recipients are scholarship, ethical leadership and civic engagement. These key tenets serve as the
foundation and the compass for Levine Scholars as they navigate their way through their collegiate
experience.
As the first class to finish their collegiate experience at
UNC Charlotte, the Levine Scholars wanted a signature
service project to commemorate their legacy. Through
much brainstorming, the Levine Scholars selected
Dance Marathon. Dance Marathon is a nationwide
movement involving college and high school students
at more than 150 schools across the country, all raising
funds for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in
their community. The UNC Charlotte Dance
Marathon connected more than 1,000 UNC Charlotte
students in the mission to raise funds “For the Kids”
(FTK) at Levine Children’s Hospital, the local
Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.
To support this worthwhile cause, Levine Scholars established a committee a year prior to the actual event.
Coordinating 12 hours of entertainment, food, music, lighting technology, and volunteer power, including
emcees and student organizers for additional non-dance activities, was not an easy task. The student leaders
involved in dance marathon devoted countless hours to engaging in weekly committee and leadership team
meetings, participating in fundraising events on and off campus, and leading presentations for diverse UNC
Charlotte student organizations like athletic teams, academic and extracurricular clubs, and fraternities and
sororities. Throughout this process, students learned invaluable leadership and life skills while raising funds
and interacting with Children’s Hospital patients and families.
After months of envisioning what UNC Charlotte’s first-ever Dance Marathon would look like, on
November 13, 2013, nearly a year after their first planning meeting, UNC charlotte Dance Marathon finally
arrived. In the early morning hours before the marathon’s 7 PM kickoff, students from the Levine Scholars
Program and Dance Marathon planning committees gathered in the Student Union to set the scenes for the
12-hour dance event. From designing the floor plans, preparing meals and snacks, to orchestrating
entertainment acts, and organizing event logistics, these dedicated students came to create an unforgettable
night of philanthropy and fun for the UNC Charlotte student body and greater Charlotte community.
Standing on-stage with families whose children were treated at Levine Children’s Hospital, feeling the energy
and enthusiasm of the student dancers, and discovering that Dance Marathon had raised so much money for
such an important cause was inspiring for all who participated.
Student Co-curricular Engagement
7/30/2014
UNC Charlotte “University in Action” 2013-14
Student Co-curricular Engagement
The night culminated with the UNC Charlotte Dance Marathon raising more than $35,000.00 for the
Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. With the new Dance Marathon leadership team already in place for
Dance Marathon 2014, Dance Marathon will soon be welcomed as a new NINER tradition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hM8uNBtaNA
http://www.uncc.edu/spotlight/2013/spotlight-dance-marathon-raises-thousands-charity
http://now.uncc.edu/event/230
https://inside.uncc.edu/news/item/first-dance-marathon-benefits-levine-children%E2%80%99s-hospital
Student Co-curricular Engagement
7/30/2014