The 2025 Dance Marathon at Florida State University (DM at FSU) was set to reach significant achievements, celebrating the 30th year that the university and the larger Tallahassee community united to aid pediatric healthcare.
Another significant achievement was attained when “the reveal” demonstrated that this year’s dance celebration garnered $1,334,457 and change, exceeding last year’s total of $1.24 million to benefit Children’s Miracle Network pediatric initiatives in Gainesville and outreach programs of the FSU College of Medicine.
The sum includes $258,985 collected by partner marathons from middle and high schools in Leon and Wakulla counties.
“We appreciate your efforts in uniting our community for a vital cause,” expressed Darcy Sullivan, executive director, as she spoke to the audience just before the reveal. “This has been the most remarkable year of my life.”
“When we all have faith in miracles, everything becomes possible,” she added.
An estimated 1,500 students took part in the event from February 28 to March 2 at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. With this year’s contributions, DM at FSU – recognized as FSU’s largest student-led organization and the fifth-largest Dance Marathon in the nation – has raised over $22 million to date.
Since its inception in 1995, with the first event held in 1996, the marathon generated $25,521 in its inaugural year. Co-founder Bryan Seaquist, alongside Travis Ferguson, mentioned that they aimed to establish an initiative to bridge “town and gown,” bringing the community and university closer.
“While we had Greek Week, involving fraternities and sororities, we sought to broaden the participation,” remarked Seaquist, who, along with Ferguson, attends the closing ceremonies annually.
Dr. Alma B. Littles, dean of the College of Medicine, highlighted that FSU did not possess a medical school when DM at FSU first began, and all funds raised supported Shands Children’s Hospital.
“This year, we honor both the 25th anniversary of the legislation that established the College of Medicine and the 20th anniversary of our first class’s graduation. Dance Marathon has contributed to our journey as we have evolved,” Littles stated.
In 2003, during the second year of the inaugural class, DM at FSU and Children’s Miracle Network chose to designate the college as a recipient, equally dividing funds after expenses between Shands and the College of Medicine.
“I distinctly recall dancing with members of our first two classes at Tully Gym in 2003, alongside our faculty and our then-dean, Ocie Harris,” Littles reminisced. “The movements were a bit simpler than what I just observed … but we all enjoyed ourselves immensely!”
Littles also provided an update regarding the college’s Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases (IPRD), announcing that a new master’s program in genetic counseling is set to launch at the institute in 2026. One of IPRD’s objectives is to ensure that every newborn in Florida undergoes testing for genetic markers associated with rare diseases, facilitating earlier interventions for improved outcomes as researchers strive toward prevention and cures.
This year, for the first time in over ten years, the college put together a dance team in addition to organizing fundraising efforts for the marathon. The six dancers joined many of the college’s community partner-providers on stage during the closing ceremonies.
“It is incredibly appropriate that the College of Medicine Dance Marathon dance team has returned in this year of anniversaries,” Littles noted. “The dedication and hard work of each and every one of you will positively impact the lives of children in greatest need. Thank you, and congratulations on all your achievements!”
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