The History of Dance Marathon
at St. Norbert College
at St. Norbert College
November 2012 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sophomore Ryan Engesser was searching for a service event that would unite the entire college community together - to create an event so impactful it would be truly bigger than ourselves. The goal was to create something similar to "Into the Streets," but completely student-driven and run.
December 2012- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Jennifer Nissen (Assistant Director of Community Service and Learning - Sturzl Center) presented Ryan with the idea of Dance Marathon as a possible service event that would satisfy his goals
February 2013 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ryan Engesser and Jennifer Nissen started the organization Dance Marathon
Created the constitution, filled out the new org. paperwork, applied as a new organization and promoted the new organization
March 2013- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
First-Ever Dance Marathon Meeting was held, with over 35 new members in attendance.
First E-board was appointed:
Co-Presidents: Ryan Engesser, Nicole Haupert, Rebecca Liming
Fundraising/Sponsorship Co-Chairs: Rachel Losselyong, Samantha Lensmire
Families Co-Chairs: Abby Andrle, Sarah Serdar
Recruitment Co-Chairs: Tatiana Rice, Alyssa Rudd
Entertainment Co-Chairs: Viktoria O’Leary, Jessica Zignego
Secretaries: Emily Rittgers, Evie Wippich
Multimedia Coordinator: Elizabeth Schmitt
Treasurer: Alex Smith
Advisor: Jennifer Nissen
April 2013 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SNC Dance Marathon adopted the Slogan “Dance for a Chance. Igknight Hope.” for the event
August 2013 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dance Marathon is officially recognized as a student organization at St. Norbert College
November 2nd, 2013 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
First-Ever Dance Marathon Event took place in Schuldes Sports Complex at St. Norbert College
13.1 hours
$21,372.01 raised for the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin (Goal: $20,000)
232 total dancers (313 fundraisers)
9 miracle families
November 2013 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SNC Dance Marathon won the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) "Organization of the Month" Award
Ryan Engesser won NRHH "Student of the Month" Award (Because of Dance Marathon)
December 2013 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
New 2014 E-board was elected
Co-Presidents: Ryan Engesser(Fall) Alex Smith (Spring), Nicole Haupert, Rebecca Liming
Fundraising/Sponsorship Co-Chairs: Morgan Lanahan, Mary Sobczak
Families/Recruitment Co-Chairs: Taylor Baltus, Brittani Seidel
Entertainment Co-Chairs: Lydia Dorn, Haley Nett
Secretary: Sara Gunderson
Treasurer: Aaron Van Eperen
Advisor: Jennifer Nissen (Spring)
April 2014 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SNC Dance Marathon Won the Philanthropic Contribution Award at the Norbertine Leadership Awards
Tara Cunningham won “Unsung Hero Award” at the Norbertine Leadership Awards (Because of Dance Marathon)
August 2014 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Steve Bessert (Associate Development Officer - Advancement) becomes the Advisor of Dance Marathon (Fall)
October 25th, 2014 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Second Annual Dance Marathon event took place in the Schuldes Sports Complex at St. Norbert College
13.1 hours
$34,645.02 raised for the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin (Goal: $30,000)
189 total dancers (302 fundraisers)
14 miracle families
December 2014 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
New 2015 E-Board was elected
Co-Presidents: Aaron Van Eperen, Lydia Dorn, Taylor Baltus
Fundraising/Sponsorship Co-Chairs: Keely Iserman, Morgan Lanahan
Families/Recruitment Co-Chairs: Sara Gunderson, Jenna Butts
Entertainment Co-Chairs: Brittani Seidel, Lauren Adams
Multimedia Coordinator: Meghan McGorey
Secretary: Christine Chen
Treasurer: Stephen Lin
Advisors: Jennifer Nissen, Steve Bessert
April 2015 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SNC Dance Marathon Won the Philanthropic Contribution Award at the Norbertine Leadership Awards
Sarah Cocco won “Unsung Hero Award” at the Norbertine Leadership Awards (Because of Dance Marathon)
October 24th, 2015 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Third Annual SNC Dance Marathon event took place in Schuldes Sports Complex at St. Norbert College
13.1 hours
$40,480.03 raised for the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin (Goal: $40,000)
176 total dancers (196 fundraisers)
14 miracle families
December 2015 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
New 2016 E-Board was elected
Co-Presidents: Aaron Van Eperen, Lydia Dorn*, Lauren Adams
Fundraising/Sponsorship Co-Chairs: Stephen Lin, Sarah Cocco
Families/Recruitment Co-Chairs: Katie Potter, Adam Woebbeking
Entertainment Co-Chairs: Mikaela Wolf, Micayla Meyers
Multimedia Coordinator: Reed Shallue
Secretary: Meghan McGorey
Treasurer: Keely Iserman
Operations Coordinator (New!): Christine Chen
Alumni Relations Coordinator (New!): Morgan Lanahan
Advisors: Jennifer Nissen, Steve Bessert
*Adam Woebbeking will be serving as the interim president of the Families and Recruitment Committee while Lydia is abroad this Spring
January 2016 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Name Change
SNC Dance Marathon officially changed the name of their annual event to "Miracle Day"
April 2016 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Joey Rubin won “Unsung Hero Award” at the Norbertine Leadership Awards
November 2016 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SNC Dance Marathon’s Miracle Day 2016 event took place in Ray Van Den Heuvel Campus Center at St. Norbert College
13.1 hours
$56,007.04 raised for the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin (Goal: $50,000)
210 total dancers (217 fundraisers)
21 Miracle Children, 19 Miracle Families
December 2016- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
New 2017 E-Board was elected
Co-Presidents: Stephen Lin, Zak Krueger, Mikaela Wolf
Fundraising Chair: Emily Donegan
Sponsorship Chair: Adam Woebbeking
Family Relations Chair: Katie Potter
Recruitment Chairs: Morgan Nickels
Entertainment Co-Chairs: Caytie Joe Boknevitz, Maranda Mumma
Multimedia Coordinator: Katherine Kircher
Public Relations Coordinator (New!): Micayla Meyers
Secretary: Lauren Hoyer (Spring 2017), Emma Dickinson (Fall 2017)
Treasurer: Nicole Wolf
Operations Coordinator: Brianna McGann
Alumni Relations Coordinator: Joey Rubin
Advisor: Jennifer Nissen
April 2017 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Tony Arnold won “Unsung Hero Award” at the Norbertine Leadership Awards
Dance Marathon won the first ever SNC Organization of the Year Award
November 11th, 2017 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SNC Dance Marathon Miracle Day 2017 took place in the Ray Van Den Heuvel Campus Center at St. Norbert College
13.1 hours
$76,754.05 raised for the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (Goal: $70,000)
211 total dancers (216 fundraisers)
13 Miracle Children, 11 Miracle Families
December 2017- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
New 2018 E-Board was selected
Co-Presidents: Nicole Wolf, Mikaela Wolf, Emily Minton
Fundraising and Sponsorship Co-Chairs: Allison Gerk, Lauren Murphy
Family and Dancer Relations Co-Chair: Molly VandenHouten, Hannah Mader
Entertainment Co-Chairs: Lauren Hoyer, Johanna Zielinski
Multimedia Coordinator: Emma Molenhouse
Public Relations Coordinator: Shay Van Sambeek
Secretary: Jaclyn Schneider
Treasurer: Payton Sitzberger
Operations Coordinator: Clare Davis
Alumni Relations Coordinator: Jillian Reynolds
Campus Organization Coordinator (New!): Quynn Jacobs
Advisor: Jennifer Nissen
*Johanna Zielinski will be serving as the interim president of the Entertainment Committee while Mikaela is abroad this Spring
January 2018 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
New Goal of $95,000 was announced for Miracle Day 2018 on November 10th
April 2018- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dance Marathon received the Norbertine Leadership and Service Award for Outstanding Commitment to Service!
May 2018- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A new Fundraising and Sponsorship Co-Chair and Operations Coordinator have been selected
Fundraising and Sponsorship Co-Chair: Clare Kelly
Operations Coordinator: Grace Brick
We wish Lauren Murphy luck in the new step of her college career and well wishes to Clare Davis as she studies abroad!
November 10th, 2018 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SNC Dance Marathon Miracle Day 2018 took place in the Ray Van Den Heuvel Campus Center at St. Norbert College
13.1 hours
$84,570.06 raised for the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (Goal: $95,000)
Miracle Kid Melissa Bruebach got married!
December 2018- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
New 2019 E-Board was selected
Co-presidents: Emily Minton, Johanna Zielinski, Shay Van Sambeek
Fundraising/Sponsorship Co-chairs: Leah Hennick, Clare Kelly
Family and Dancer Relations Co-chairs: Sarah Vandenhouten, Hannah Mader
Entertainment Co-chairs: Clare Davis, Larissa Loftus
Multimedia Coordinator: Kirsten Carrigan
Public Relations Coordinator: Jaclyn Schneider
Secretary: Maddy Kuehl
Treasurer: Emma Molenhouse
Operations Coordinator: AJ Floodstrand
Alumni Relations Coordinator: Grace Brick
Campus Organization Coordinator: Kelsey Nowack
Advisor: Jennifer Nissen
April 2019 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A new Campus Organization Relations Coordinator and Secretary have been selected: Lilly Lanier and Jaclyn Schneider
We wish Kelsey Nowack luck in this new step of her college career and Maddy Kuehl luck as she pursues other endeavors!
November 9th, 2019 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SNC Dance Marathon Miracle Day 2019 took place in the Ray Van Den Heuvel Campus Center at St. Norbert College
13.1 hours
$55,604.07 raised for Project Adam, a program of Children's Wisconsin!
December, 2019 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
New 2020 E-Board was selected
President: Andrea Boyd
Vice President of Campus Outreach & Relations: Kylie Earing
Vice President of Productions: Sarah Vandenhouten
Recruitment Chair: Ashley Heitz
Multimedia Chair & Morale and Dancer Relations: Angie Evans
Community Outreach Chair: Trina Hanhold
Treasurer: Maddie Korpi
Family & Hosptial Relations Chair: Mary Catherine Dull
Sponsorship Chair: MariJo Lesatz
Fundraising Chair: Meghan Schmidt
Event Chair: Jaclyn Freimuth
Advisor: Jennifer Nissen
March, 2020 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Covid-19 took over our lives which meant online schools and no Miracle Day.
October, 2020 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Selected our purpose, Shine Through Campaign for Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.
March, 2021 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SNC Dance Marathon Miracles in March was a week long celebration with activities. Miracle Day was taken place virtually in the Miriam B. and James J. Mulva Library at St. Norbert College 6 hours $20,653.08 raised for Shine Through Campaign, a campaign of Children's Wisconsin!
March 19th, 2021 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
New 2021 President and Vice Presidents
President: Em Von Der Ruhr
Vice President of Campus Outreach & Relations: Danielle Richmond
Vice President of Productions: Jennifer Kubowski
Vice President of Finance: Elizabeth Lesatz
April, 2021 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Multimedia Chair & Morale and Dancer Relations:
Community Outreach Chair:
Family & Hosptial Relations Chair:
Sponsorship Chair:
Fundraising Chair:
Event Chair:
