The University of Iowa Dance Marathon’s lime green is often recognized on the UI campus, but the University’s largest student-led philanthropy was recently given an opportunity to introduce the power of lime on a national platform.

UI Dance Marathon was selected as the “Most Influential College Student or College Organization in the Midwest” by StayClassy, a nationally recognized group that honors the most outstanding and compelling philanthropic groups annually.

A panel of judges from the San Diego-based group selected UI Dance Marathon as a top-five finalist out of a pool of 2,400 candidates. However, the fate of the top-five regional winners was determined by a three-week public vote.

With 46 children diagnosed with cancer every day, UI Dance Marathon is dedicated to fighting this ever-growing life-threatening disease affecting children and families worldwide.

Dance Marathon’s lasting impact on the local community, passion for advancing pediatric healthcare, and the organization’s staggering growth over the past 19 years played a pivotal role in organization’s top honor.

“We see this award as a thank you to the families, dancers, leadership members, and volunteers who have participated in Dance Marathon throughout the past 19 years,” says Dance Marathon 19 Executive Director Nic Rusher. “We are excited to share this honor with everyone who has supported the organization over the years.”

Moving forward, StayClassy’s Leadership Council will select the national award winners from the four regions in each of the 16 categories.

The five months of nominations, judging, and public voting will culminate with a weekend dedicated to the importance of philanthropy. UI Dance Marathon will be recognized, and national award winners will be announced at the StayClassy awards weekend starting Sept. 21 in San Diego, Calif.

“It was an incredible honor to be recognized among the top five finalists, and we are excited about the opportunity to represent the Midwest,” Rusher says. “We are eager to see what awaits us in San Diego.”

More information on Dance Marathon may be found here.