Overall Co-Chair

Hello! My name is Robert McCauley and I am a senior nursing major from Primghar, IA. This is my forth year participating in Dakotathon, and I love every minute. My Dakotathon journey started as a freshman morale captain, moving on to the executive team my sophomore year as a sponsorship chair, and as an entertainment chair last year! I am truly honored to be leading our AMAZING executive board this year as one of the overall chairs!  I am truly inspired each day by the children and families served by the Children’s Miracle Network and dance with the hope that one day EVERYONE will dance their own dance.

I look forward to seeing you at Dakotathon 2017 on April 8! HAPPY DM!

Overall Co-Chair

Hi! My name is Audrey Truhe and I am this year’s Overall Co-Chair for Dakotathon. I am a Junior from Elk Point, SD double majoring in Elementary and Special Education here at the University of South Dakota. Being involved in Dance Marathon was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Dakotathon truly is the best way I can think of to spend 24 hours—it's the best day of the year! I love having Dance Marathon in my life to celebrate with the CMN families and to see the smiles on the Miracle Children’s faces. I dance for more laughs, more birthdays, and for the children dancing in heaven. FTK!

Sponsorship Co-Chair

My name is Jackson Shriver, and I currently am a junior at the University of South Dakota. I am double majoring in Medical Biology and Psychology with minors in Chemistry and Interdisciplinary Sciences. I am from Watertown, South Dakota and plan on attending medical school following graduation. Organizations that I am involved in on campus include Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, MEDLIFE, Sorority and Fraternity Life Ambassadors, Student Ambassadors, and Pre-Med Society. The past two years I have served as a dancer in Dakotathon. This year I am excited to serve on the exec team as a sponsorship co-chair. I love seeing the excitement on the family's faces throughout the Day Of and hearing the miracle children's stories. I can’t wait to make this year's Dakotathon this best one yet! Happy DM!!!

Sponsorship Co-Chair

Sponsorship Co-Chair

I'm Krissy Zalud, a senior Medical Biology major from Vermillion, SD. My heartfelt dream is to become a pediatric oncologist, a doctor who specializes in treating cancer in children. My career goals first motivated me to participate in Dakotathon. As an freshman, it seemed like a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children before I was even practicing medicine. Dakotathon turned out to be so much more--a time to celebrate the miracle children, network with other students, and gain perspective regarding what is truly important in life. It's a humbling experience, and I'm incredibly honored to serve as a member of exec for a group supporting such a worthy cause. The kids truly are my heroes. Let's make this Dakotathon the best one yet! FTK! 

Finance Chair

Hello! My name is Conrad Adam, and I’m a junior Finance major from Pierre, South Dakota. I have been involved in Dakotathon for both my freshman and sophomore years as a member of the Logistics team. This year I am thrilled to serve as the finance chair. It is an honor to serve on the Executive Committee. For me, Dakotathon is the most inspiring and unforgettable way to spend 24-hours. As a former childhood cancer patient at Sanford Children’s Hospital, I have witnessed the impact that Dakotathon has on families battling life-changing obstacles. Being able to give back has been very meaningful to me, and I strongly encourage everyone to participate. We can make a difference together! FTK!!

Event Fundraising Co-Chair

Hello all! My name is Samantha Foley and this year I am lucky enough to be Co-Chair of Fundraising and Events for the Dakotathon Executive Board. I am going to be a Senior Coyote here at USD and I ma majoring in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology. Dakotathon is an organization I have been privileged enough to be apart of since I first attended USD my freshman year. I cannot think of a better way to leave USD than serving on the Executive Board for this amazing organization. To me Dakotathon has always been an amazing way to give back to Children's Miracle Network since I was a direct beneficiary of CMN when I was a child. I would have to say my favorite part of Dakotathon is the smile and pure joy it brings to all the families who participate in the 24 dance-a-thon. If you participate in this awesome organization I can promise you your life will be drastically changed for the better. Please feel free to contact me at Sami.Foley@coyotes.usd.edu. I dance to help make the everyday miracles possible!

Event Fundraising Co-Chair

Hello! My name is Madison Michels and I am a junior at the University of South Dakota. I am a Health Science major from Sioux Falls, SD. This is my third year being involved in Dakotathon. My freshman year I was a dancer, last year I was on the executive board as the Family Relations Chair, and this year I am happy to serve as one of the Events/Fundraising Co-Chairs. Dakotathon holds a special place in my heart because I love being apart of something that is bigger than myself. Not only do we help make a difference in the kids' and their families lives, but they also impact our lives by helping us realize how lucky we all are and help us remember the important things in life. I dance for many reasons, but especially for more "I love yous" and for the ones who are unable to. FTK!!

Technology Chair

Hello Everyone! My name is Matt Svendsen, and I am a Junior Business Administration major from Pierre, SD. When I was a freshman here at the University of South Dakota I got involved with Dakotathon by being a dancer. Then last year I wanted to be more involved and became a Morale Captain. After another great experience with Dakotathon I wanted to take it to the next level. This year I am proud to be a part of the Dakotathon Exec team, serving as the Technology Chair. I love seeing the excitement on all of the children’s and their family member’s faces the day of, and knowing that I helped make that happen! HAPPY DM!!

FTK!

Co-Marketing Chair

Hey everyone! My name is Jenna Kruntorad and I'm a senior from Omaha, NE majoring in Media & Journalism with a specialization in Strategic Communications. I have been in lucky enough be involved in Dakotathon for the past three years: my Freshman and Sophomore year as a Dancer and my Junior year as a Morale Captain! This year I am honored to be serving as the Marketing Co-Chair on the Executive Board. I'm active in multiple oranizations on campus such as; Student Ambassadors, Pi Beta Phi, Coyote Communications, the National Student Advertising Competition Team and Strollers but Dakotathon has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have taken part of. Seeing the joy on the families and miracle children's faces as we get to reveal our fundrasing amount creates joy for each in the room but especially touches my heart.

I couldn't be more excited for this upcoming year and getting to dance for those who have lost their battle. Now, let's raise that $115,000 all FTK!!!

Marketing Co-Chair

Brady is a senior from Sioux Falls, South Dakota majoring in Marketing and said that he dances for more smiles! In the past, Brady has participated in Dakotathon as a Dancer. We asked Brady what his favorite part of Dakotathon is and he said “my favorite part of Dakotathon is listening to the families stories about how Dakotathon has helped them!”

Morale Co-Chair

Hey everyone, I’m Chandler Andrews and I’m a junior nursing major from Omaha, NE. I first got involved with Dakotathon my freshman year. As a freshman I was a dancer, then my sophomore year I was a Morale Captain. This year I have the privilege to serve as one of the Co- Morale chairs! Being a part of such an astounding organization that makes such a big difference in the lives of so many is truly rewarding. I highly recommend everyone to partake in Dakotathon, not only to make a difference for others but also for you, Dakotathon is a life changing experience.

Morale Co-Chair

Hey there everyone! My name is Whitney Barnes, and I am a junior Elementary and Special Education major from Rapid City, SD. I started out with Dakotathon my freshman year as a Dancer, then was a Morale Captain last year, and now I am thrilled to be the Co-Morale chair for this year's big event! Being a part of this organization that does so much from raising money for Children's Miracle Network, to putting together a huge 24 hour event, to simply putting smiles on people's faces is such a life changing, inspiring, and rewarding experience. Getting to see everyone (especially the cutest kiddos on earth) dance their hearts out all day long is one of my favorite parts of this event, and seeing everyone having such a blast is what makes all our hard work worth it! I hope you consider joining in on all the fun this year!

FTK

Entertainment Co-Chair

My name is Mackenzie blow and I am this year's co-entertainment chair. I am a junior at The University of South Dakota majoring in dental hygiene. 

Entertainment Co-Chair

Hey all! My name is Rush Milne, and I am a junior from Madison, South Dakota. I am majoring in Strategic Communication with a minor in Business Administration. I have participated in Dakotathon each year since being at USD, first as a Dancer and then as a Morale Captain. This year, I am serving as the Co-Entertainment chair, and I couldn’t be more excited to help plan the ‘Day Of’ events along with my awesome Co-chair and the rest of the Executive Team! Dakotathon has made a huge impact on my life and has helped put into perspective the important things in life. I dance so the kids can forget about the struggles they have been through, or are currently going through, and can just enjoy being kids for a day! HAPPY DM!

Dancer Recruitment Co-Chair

Happy DM, Everyone! My name is Jenna Heilman and I am this year's Co-Recruitment Chair for Dakotathon! I am a junior from Miller, South Dakota, majoring in Marketing here at the University of South Dakota. My involvement with Dakotathon began as a Dancer my freshman year, then a Morale Captain as a sophomore, so I am beyond excited to finally be part of the executive board! Being a part of Dakotathon is such a humbling experience, and of course, being able to see the smiles of everyone involved in the movement is my favorite part! I dance for the cutest kiddos on Earth, why do you?

Dancer Recruitment Co-Chair

"Hey, all!! I’m Adam Palmer, and I’m a Junior majoring in Business Marketing from Brookings, SD. I became involved in Dakotathon my freshman year as a Dancer, then as a Morale Captain my sophomore year. This year, I am honored to serve as one of the Co-Recruitment chairs for this amazing organization! My favorite aspect of Dakotathon is getting the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself. It is an amazing experience getting to see the smiles on the families and children’s faces during the day which is why I dance for the hopeful families. Whether you are a freshman or even a senior in college, I highly encourage you to join us for the Best Day of The Year. It’s all FTK!!!"

Security Chair

Hello everybody, my name is John Paul, and I am a Senior at the University of South Dakota.  I am on the Pre-Medicine tract majoring in Medical Biology with minors in Interdisciplinary Sciences and Psychology.  In addition to Dakotathon, I am involved with Sorority and Fraternity Life Ambassadors and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity on campus.  I have been a part of the Dakotathon Logistics team for two years before becoming a member of the Dakotathon Executive Board as the Head Logistics Officer. Dakotathon brings out the best of every single individual that participates, and it is a life changing event that will have an awesome impact on the rest of your life. My favorite part of Dakotathon is seeing the smiling faces of everybody and knowing that what we are doing is truly making an extraordinary difference.

Family Relations Chair

Hi! My name is Audrey Truhe and I am this year’s Family Relations Chair for Dakotathon. I am a senior from Elk Point, SD double majoring in Elementary and Special Education here at the University of South Dakota. Being involved in Dance Marathon was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Dakotathon truly is the best way I can think of to spend 24 hours—it's the best day of the year! I love having Dance Marathon in my life to celebrate with the CMN families and to see the smiles on the Miracle Children’s faces. I dance for more laughs, more birthdays, and for the children dancing in heaven. FTK!

Alumni Chair

My name is, Nicole Plueger and I am a senior in my last semester of nursing school and will graduate in 2015! I am the alumni chair. The reason that I participate in Dakotathon is not only to raise money to support the families and children but to give them a fun day that they can remember and just enjoy! One of the things this year, which I am excited for would be to meet and support new families along with the ones we have worked with in the past!

High School Recruitment Co-Chair

Hello people! My name is Arielle Wolterman and I am a junior from Ida Grove, Iowa majoring in nursing and minoring in Communication Studies. My aspiring occupation is to become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

I first started participating in Dakotathon as a dancer my freshman year and was a morale captain my sophomore year. I am very honored to be on Dakotathon Executive Board as High School Dance Marathon Co-Chair! Dakotathon has been the most rewarding experience of my college career. Being the light when everything else seems dark is a very humbling feeling, to know what I’m doing is making an impact on a child’s life. They inspire me to be a better person every day. I could not be more excited for what the next year brings! FTK!

High School Recruitment Co-Chair

Hi everyone! My name is Kelsey Johnson and I am a senior at the University of South Dakota.  I am majoring in Business Management with a minor in Earth Science. This coming year will be my third year participating in Dakotathon. I started out as a Dancer, then I was a Morale Captain, and now I am High School Dance Marathon Co-Chair! Dakotathon is such an amazing organization, I love seeing all of the smiling faces of the miracle children when we get the spend the day with them. It is such a rewarding feeling to know that you are changing a child’s life. I am very excited to see what this year will bring! FTK!

Hospitality Chair 

Hi everyone! My name is Madeline Bures and I am a senior at The University of South Dakota. I am from Sergeant Bluff, Iowa and am majoring in health sciences. I became involved in Dakotathon my sophomore year as a dancer and then as a morale captain my junior year. This year, I am beyond excited to be the Hospitality Chair on the executive board for Dakotathon. Getting involved in Dakotathon was one of the best decisions I've made, as these miracle children have allowed me to gain a greater appreciation for what is most important in life and why it is important to always give back to others. Knowing that you're making a difference in the lives of so many makes being a part of this organization truly rewarding. Every miracle child is inspiring, and I continue to dance for more smiles, more laughter, and even more miracles. FTK!