History of the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon and the Four Diamonds Fund

The first dance marathon began at 6 p.m. in the HUB Ballroom and ended 30 hours later. The Sheltered Workshop for Retarded Children of Butler County received the $2,000 that was raised by the 39 brave couples who tested their endurance. Each couple paid $10 to participate and the winning couple was sponsored by Leete Hall.

1974

1975

Funds totaled $10,825 again this year.

1976

The marathon raised more than $15,000 for Muscular Dystrophy and Kappa Delta Rho and Delta Delta Delta won for their third consecutive year. The line dance was performed for the first time and the committee had to spend $400 to re-sand the HUB Ballroom floor.

The Four Diamonds Fund began its association with the dance marathon and received almost $29,000.

1978

Total money raised was $52,818.

1979

The marathon was moved from the HUB Ballroom to White Building because of growing crowds and a dinner was started to allow local businesses to show support for 'Thon. Delta Kappa Phi (now Psi Upsilon) and Kappa Delta raised $13,265 to end the five-year winning streak of Kappa Delta Rho and Delta Delta Delta. The total amount raised for the Four Diamonds Fund was $72,132 from 143 couples.

Dance marathon raised $86,682 for the Four Diamonds Fund.

1981

This year was themed "Dance for Tomorrow" and students raised $99,000.

1982

In the 10th year of the marathon, the total money raised was $95,024 with 350 dancers on their feet. Kappa Delta Rho and Delta Delta Delta came back as the winners with $22,000.

The marathon raised a total of $131,000. The morale committee became a group of trainers responsible for the welfare of the dancers rather than a cheerleader. Dancers wore T-shirts that read "Give the Kids a Chance . . . Dance."

1984

Banners adorned the walls of White Building in the first banner contest. A new winning team emerged - Alpha Sigma Alpha and Alpha Sigma Phi - raising $58,000. Proceeds for the fund reached $179,280 from the marathon themed "Help the Kids Smile, Dance for a While."

1985

The 1985 marathon raised $226,508 for the fund. The theme song "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" boosted the spirits of nearly 390 dancers.

1986

1987

THON became part of Penn State speak as dancers raised $297,000.

1988

The total contribution to the Four Diamonds Fund since 1977 from 'Thon was $1.2 million, with $297,311 from 1988's 'Thon.

1989

Miss America 1988, Kaye Lani Rae Rafko, was the Kick-Off Dinner speaker. More than 500 dancers raised $456,617.

1990

IFC voted to recognize Panhellenic Council as co-sponsor of the marathon, and together they raised $671,572.

1991

1992

The theme for the 20th dance marathon was "Two Decades Past Building Hope for Their Future." The dancers - 508 of them this year - raised $1,141,145, making 'Thon the largest student-run philanthropy in the country.

1993

The marathon raised $1.3 million for the fund, with Alpha Sigma Alpha and Alpha Sigma Phi winning with $200,000. "For All the Right Reasons" was the theme.

1994

The Children's Miracle Network began an association with 'Thon to apply the Penn State model at schools across the country. The marathon raised $1,210,796.

1995

1996

With "Never Standing Alone" as the theme, dancers raised $1,200,000 for the Four Diamonds Fund.

• 85 Greek organizations

• 43 University-affiliated student groups

• 19 Commonwealth Campuses

• 540 dancers

• 1,200 student volunteers

• 10,000+ people donating to the fund