Congratulations to QTHON at Quinnipiac University, recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Community Engagement Award

Miracle Network Dance Marathon recognized top-performing Dance Marathon programs at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ Ignite: Peer-to-Peer Leadership Conference held in Kansas City, MO from July 17-20, 2025. 

The Excellence in Community Engagement Award recognizes a program that goes above and beyond in building meaningful, collaborative relationships that foster awareness, participation, and fundraising. This year’s winner showed what’s possible when engagement is intentional and authentic. 

QTHON stood out for their thoughtful approach to relationship building across campus. Understanding that no two groups are the same, QTHON leaders personalized their outreach, taking time to understand the culture of the student organizations they sought to engage. This tailored strategy allowed them to create meaningful partnerships that went beyond fundraising. 

One of the most powerful examples of this was their partnership with a campus organization focused on mental health. Together, they worked to elevate conversations around student wellness and raise awareness of the mental health services provided by their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. This collaboration not only expanded QTHON’s reach but also deepened the connection between their cause and the lived experiences of their peers. 

In addition, QTHON launched a brand-new initiative: “Battle of the Orgs,” their campus-specific take on Color Wars. The multi-week challenge was designed to bring registered student organizations together in a spirit of friendly competition. Creative challenges, themed events, and fundraising pushes fueled excitement and widespread participation across campus. The result? A record-breaking push day and significantly increased participation across the board. 

Congratulations to QTHON at Quinnipiac University for your commitment to community and collaboration!