The Review T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f D e l a w a r e ’s i n d e p e n d e n t s t u d e n t n e w s p a p e r s i n c e 1 8 8 2
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 VOLUME 141, ISSUE 19
UDance goes to infinity and beyond, smashing previous record ALLISON WINTERS Staff Reporter For the first time, UDance’s fundraising total surpassed $1 million, sending the university community into a state of celebration Sunday. The daylong, student-run event shattered expectations in raising $1,282,103.30 for The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, a Delawarebased pediatric cancer charity. Crushing last year’s total of $850,376.75, the 12-hour dance marathon has become bigger than ever with almost double the number of dancers and moralers of the past two years. UDance is now the sixth largest collegiate marathon in the nation, according to entertainment chair Ashley Bernstein. Co-executive director Julia Denhoff described Sunday as “the best day of her life.” She said she was shocked to see how many people from not only the university community, but also the Newark community, came out to join in the fight against childhood cancer. It was incredible to see the growth of the program, particularly in the number
of dancers and moralers, she said. “Our goal this year was to get the entire campus involved in UDance, not just Greek life or clubs, and I truly believe that we did that,” Denhoff said. “We always strive to raise more money than the previous year, but this year, with the overwhelming support, we beyond surpassed this goal.” Bernstein said the $430,000 difference between this year and last has been the largest monetary increase from a previous UDance. For the first time this year the marathon was also given a theme,“Kicking Cancer to Infinity and Beyond,” which resulted in plenty of outer space items and apparel seen in the Bob Carpenter Center. Co-executive director Kelsey McWilliams agreed with Denhoff that this was a pivotal year for the marathon. “This is the year where all of UDance’s year-long events become traditions and become a part of the culture for everyone at UD for years to come,” McWilliams said. “It solidifies the hard work of this year until we are dancing in celebration of the best UDance: the year we celebrate a cure.”
Like many others, freshman Ellen McAlpine donated eight inches of her hair while at the event to make wigs for children with cancer. Initially McAlpine was not planning to donate, but she said she experienced
“You make me so proud to be a Blue Hen.” -Joe McDonough, B+ founder
a change of heart after hearing guest speaker Tara Schneider tell her story of her cancer diagnosis at age 18. “I’ve had long hair all my life,” McAlpine said. “It is part of my identity, and I want every little girl to be able to feel as beautiful as she really is. Donating my hair is just one small thing I could do to help.” Performers throughout the day included students, local bands and 2012 X-Factor runner-up Carly Rose Sonenclar as a special guest. For her second song, “Fighters,” Sonenclar invited the B+ Heroes to the stage. The B+ Heroes are local children with cancer who are paired with university student groups that fundraise for UDance, and many performed later in their talent show. B+ Hero Dane Johnson, 5, danced to “Gangnam Style” with his affiliated sorority, Alpha Phi, and was beaming with happiness afterward. “I wasn’t scared. I like seeing all the people at UDance,” he said. “I like seeing everyone have fun.” He later reported he chose to dance to this particular song because
he likes when it says “sexy lady.” Joe McDonough created The B+ Foundation after his 14-year-old son, Andrew, died of cancer in 2007. Although the foundation is named in Andrew’s honor, UDance was created in order to help fund research and support families dealing with similar issues. McDonough said he feels pride in knowing that without the community’s efforts, the organization would not be able to help families in over 240 hospitals nationwide or help fund research in hopes of finding a cure. In addition to the $1.28 million raised Sunday, the 12-hour marathon has raised over $2 million dollars since it was founded 8 years ago. To those who participated for their last time as students, McDonough thanked them for their tremendous assistance. “I always feel proud knowing that you put smiles on the faces of our B+ Heroes and their families,” McDonough said. “You make me so proud to be a Blue Hen.”
WHAT’S INSIDE
ANDREW KUCZMARSKI/THE REVIEW Students involved with UDance as executive board members, committee members, dancers and moralers celebrate their fundraising achievements with the B+ Heroes.
Women in leadership, page 3
Criticism flies over Gen Ed changes, page 4
Groff: Title IX office short staffed, page 5