We’re just two days away from one of our school's most highly anticipated weekends of the year: IU Dance Marathon. As someone on a committee for the first time (shoutout to oPRaba!), I’m excited to see almost a year’s worth of effort come together.
I’m also excited to see thousands of students, Greeks and non-Greeks alike, come together for one cause. I know anyone else participating feels that same excitement; no wonder we have so much IUDM-related content this week!
I can’t think of too many other organizations on campus that attract as many members of the Greek community as IUDM does. So many Greek students participate in IUDM in some way, whether it’s dancing for their chapter's official team at the marathon or serving on committees, working, planning and fundraising year-round. At IUDM events, chapter affiliation really doesn’t matter. We’re all there having fun, meeting new people and making a difference in the lives of the children and families at Riley Hospital for Children.
It’s easy for us – myself included - to get caught up in our individual chapters and the bubble of the Greek community. But being part of an organization like IUDM has certainly expanded my network both in and out of Greek life, and I’m sure many of you involved with a major campus organization can say the same. IUDM in particular has given me a topic of conversation and common bond with so many others, even people I barely know or have never met.
Phi Delta Theta and Morale committee member Ryan Cason said IUDM has made him proud to be part of the Greek community by seeing everyone come together to make a difference.
"Everyone knows that Greek chapters have stereotypes attached to them," Cason said. "But IUDM has allowed me to actually form relationships with people in other chapters and have a better understanding of the character and personalities of these people."
The marathon also helps break down barriers between "tiers", Cason said.
"When IUDMers - yes, that is a term - are together, it doesn't matter if they are in the "top chapter" or the "bottom chapter" on campus," Cason said. "They are a part of IUDM and could care less about what Greek-affiliated organization they are a member of."
IUDM President and Phi Gamma Delta member Jack Dooling said one of his favorite things about IUDM is how it brings people together as a family to do things that one person couldn't do alone.
"The awesome thing is that through IUDM, I never even considered affiliation when getting to know people," Dooling said. "IUDM allows students to lower their barriers to see each other for who they truly are rather than labeling someone by their affiliation - all while raising money for the kids at Riley Hospital for Children."
IUDM is also very powerful in bringing together those involved in Greek life and those who aren't. It's certainly a reminder that we're all university students looking to make an impact on others and be part of something bigger than us.
"When I think about IUDM, I don’t think about it as Greeks and non-Greeks, but as a large family of people," said Conner Sunday, IUDM director of public relations and member of Lambda Chi Alpha, "all different, but coming together for a common purpose: the kids."
One particular moment that illustrates this for Sunday comes during an end-of-marathon tradition.
"Everyone is arm in arm listening to "Angels Among Us" without the slightest care as to who they are surrounded by," he said. "The only thing that matters to anyone is that we are all IUDM."
