The 2025 Dance Marathon at Florida State University (DM at FSU) was destined to achieve milestones, as it was the 30th year the university and the greater Tallahassee community came together to support pediatric health care.
A second milestone was achieved when “the reveal” showed this year’s dance-fest raised $1,334,457 and change, surpassing last year’s $1.24 million to support Children’s Miracle Network pediatric programs in the Gainesville area and pediatric outreach programs of the FSU College of Medicine.
The total includes $258,985 raised by middle school and high school partner marathons in Leon and Wakulla counties.
“Thank you for bringing our community together for a cause,” said Darcy Sullivan, executive director, as she addressed the crowd shortly before the reveal. “This has been the best year of my life.”
“When we all believe in miracles, anything is possible,” she said.
An estimated 1,500 students participated in the event Feb. 28-March 2 at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. Including this year’s total, DM at FSU – FSU’s largest student-led organization and the fifth-largest Dance Marathon in the United States – has raised more than $22 million.
Established in 1995 and first held in 1996, the marathon raised $25,521 in its first year. Bryan Seaquist, who co-founded it along with Travis Ferguson, said they wanted to create a project to bring “town and gown,” the community and the university, closer together.
“We had Greek Week, with fraternities and sororities, but we wanted to expand it to include more people,” Seaquist said, who along with Ferguson attends closing ceremonies every year.
Dr. Alma B. Littles, dean of the College of Medicine, noted that FSU had no medical school when DM at FSU began, and all proceeds supported Shands Children’s Hospital.
“This year, we are celebrating both the 25th anniversary of the legislation that created the College of Medicine and the 20th anniversary of the graduation of our inaugural class. Dance Marathon played a role in our coming full circle as we grew,” Littles said.
In 2003, that inaugural class was in its second year when DM at FSU and Children’s Miracle Network decided to make the college a beneficiary, splitting the proceeds after expenses evenly between Shands and the College of Medicine.
“I remember vividly dancing with members of our first two classes at Tully Gym in 2003, along with our faculty and our then-dean, Ocie Harris,” Littles said. “The moves were a little bit simpler than the ones I just witnessed … but we all had a blast!”
Littles also gave an update on the college’s Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases (IPRD), announcing that a new master’s program in genetic counseling is being created at the institute and will debut in 2026. One of IPRD’s goals is to have every newborn in Florida tested for genetic markers for rare diseases, so there can be earlier intervention for better outcomes as the scientists work toward prevention and cures.
And this year, for the first time in more than a decade, the college fielded a dance team in addition to holding fundraisers for the marathon. The six dancers joined many of the college’s community partner-providers on stage during the closing ceremonies.
“It is so fitting that the College of Medicine Dance Marathon dance team is back in action during this year of anniversaries,” Littles said. “The hard work and dedication of each and every one of you will have a positive and significant impact on the lives of children who need help the most. Thank you, and congratulations on all you have accomplished!”