Interview with Melanie Johnson: PUDM executive

Purdue University Dance Marathon is an event held every year that focuses on raising money for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. It’s been wildly successful, not only in raising over a million dollars, but also in bringing together some of the most hardworking, passionate, and unique people at Purdue. One person who stands out is Melanie Johnson, the executive of the Mini Marathons committee in 2016. She was in charge of corralling a committee of about 40 enthusiastic students to help plan, support and attend dance marathons at middle schools and high schools across Indiana. What makes Melanie and the other executives so inspiring is their never-ending love for the marathon and the cause.  

This year was my first year participating in Dance Marathon, and I can honestly say that my experience would have been completely different had it not been for Melanie being my executive. She is the type of person who will talk to absolutely anyone but treats everyone with the same kindness, respect and openness.  Melanie wears her love for Purdue Dance Marathon and the children at Riley Hospital so obviously on her sleeve for everyone to see, and it was truly a privilege to be on her committee.  

HC Purdue: How did you first get involved in PUDM?

Melanie: “As a freshman at Purdue I had no clue what Dance Marathon was, but I ended up going to a callout with some friends and fell in love with the event. I joined at a committee my sophomore year, and the rest is history.”

HC Purdue: Was there a singular moment, or event, that made you decide you wanted to be an executive for PUDM? 

Melanie: “2014’s Day of Miracles when the entire campus rallied around the kids at Riley Hospital for Children and raised over $100,000 in one day made me want to be on exec. The feeling of being in our office as the total was reveal is unlike anything I could ever describe it was overwhelming and in that moment I knew I was going to do everything I could to be on PUDM Executive Board for 2016.”

HC Purdue: How would you describe PUDM to students who have no knowledge of what it’s about?

Melanie: “PUDM is part of a nationwide movement to spread awareness and fundraising to end childhood illness. As the largest annual donor for pediatric cancer research, the students involved with PUDM become a part of something way bigger than themselves. All of our fundraising efforts are culminated in the fall to produce an 18 hour dance marathon event where we dance, laugh, and cry together all for the kids at Riley Hospital for Children, in Indianapolis. PUDM is a family, it is a home away from home here on campus.”

HC Purdue: I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to juggle all the responsibilities of being an executive. How did you balance school work with your executive duties?

Melanie: “Time management is key. Understanding just how to prioritize my studies and my philanthropy was definitely a juggling act, but managing my time was most important. Using every spare minute I had productively is how I managed to get by.”

HC Purdue: Having been on your committee, I’ve seen first-hand how upbeat you are during the meetings. You never seem to be down or having an off day. How did you stay so consistently positive and energized all year leading up to PUDM?

Melanie: “PUDM is my passion, once you find something you love this deeply, its not hard to be energetic about it. I just hope that my happiness and excitement about this organization touches just one person that can then find a passion FTK (for the kids).”

HC Purdue: This year, you alone raised over $5,000. Who or what inspires you to go that extra mile in your fundraising?

Melanie: “It’s all FTK. Every single thing I did this past year was For The Kids. Having met families that would not be where they are without Riley Hospital for Children is why I do what I do. I have been fortunate enough to not experience a childhood illness, so I fundraise for those families that aren’t so lucky. The kids inspire me, everyday.”

HC Purdue: What would you say to someone who is considering joining PUDM but isn’t sure if they can make the commitment?

Melanie: “Joining a PUDM committee was the best decision I ever made at Purdue. I decided to join like 10 minutes before the application closed and wasn’t quite sure what I was getting myself into. But I found a family, a cause to be passionate about, and so much more within PUDM. There is a committee for everyone from dancing to merchandise designing, and from hanging out with kids to talking to corporations, we have it all!”

HC Purdue: Did you have a favorite moment from this year’s Dance Marathon?

Melanie: “Oh that’s a loaded question, I have so many favorite moments but I’ll be cliché and say the Dream Bigcircle at the end of the marathon. It was exactly what I had dreamed it would be. Hugging my fellow execs, my committee members, some Riley families, and even some strangers knowing that all my hard work was worth it was just one of my favorite moments from this year.”

HC Purdue: What are your plans after you graduate? Any chance you’ll keep attending marathons?

Melanie: “Absolutely! I couldn’t leave the dance marathon family even if I wanted to. This organization made me into the person I am today, so I will keep giving back for the rest of my life.  I will be going to graduate school in July, but I will definitely have November 18th and 19th  marked on my calendar. Also, joining PUDMA (Alumni) will be my next step to stay connected and still make a difference for the kids at Riley Hospital.”

• charity
• interview