The Hawk Rock student community service project invites the campus and community to Kovalchick Complex this Friday to Saturday night for a 24-hour dance-a-thon and other activities to benefit agencies addressing homelessness and hunger in Indiana.

President David Werner kicks off the fun with opening remarks—and maybe a dance move or two?—at 9:00 p.m., Friday, March 30. Dancing starts then and goes straight on till 9 p.m., Saturday. There'll also be lots of other activities each hour, from volleyball to a Hula Hoop contest to karaoke, all open to the community.

hawk rock 271A $5 donation is requested for one-time admission. For a $10 donation, visitors receive 24-hour admission and a T-shirt.

Dancers may register with a $20 donation, which includes a T-shirt and free food during the marathon. They may enter as individuals, pairs, or groups. Dancers also are encouraged to raise funds before the event. Any individual or group raising $100 or more before the event and in addition to the registration donation will have an opportunity to dance on stage and be on the Ed Fry Arena's large-screen television.

For registertion contact the Office of Service Learning at (724) 357-3103.

In addition to the 24-hour dancing by registered teams, the activities are as follows:

Event Schedule

  • 9:00 p.m.: President Werner's opening remarks
  • 10:00 p.m.: Volleyball
  • 11:00 p.m.: Dance-off
  • midnight: Hawk Out basketball
  • 1:00 a.m.: Limbo contest
  • 2:00 a.m.: Water balloon toss
  • 3:00 a.m.: Cake walk
  • 4:00 a.m.: Cornhole game
  • 5:00 a.m. Hula hoop pass
  • 6:00 a.m.: “Ninja”
  • 7:00 a.m.: Group yoga
  • 8:00 a.m.: Musical Pilates
  • 9:00 a.m.: Belly dancing
  • 10:00 a.m.: Double Dutch jump rope contest
  • 11:00 a.m.: Zumba
  • noon: Frisbee toss
  • 1:00 p.m.: Freeze dance
  • 2:00 p.m.: Hula hoop contest
  • 3:00 p.m.: Dodge ball
  • 4:00 p.m.: Karaoke
  • 5:00 p.m.: Knockout basketball
  • 6:00 p.m.: Tug of war
  • 7:00 p.m.: Tango performance and group tango lessons
  • 8:00 p.m.: Reflection and sponsor recognition
  • 9:00 p.m.: “Grand reveal” of funds raised

Other activities include face painting and photo booth from 8:30 to 11:00 p.m. on Friday; black light corner from 11:30 p.m., Friday, to 2:30 a.m., Saturday; human bingo from 4:00 to 5:00 a.m., Saturday; a featured speaker, to be announced, from one of the groups benefiting from the event at noon on Saturday; and a photo booth from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Saturday.

The Hawk Rock Project is directed by the student Hawk Rock Committee and coordinated by the IUP Office of Service Learning. Fourteen students are members of the committee, and 35 more are actively involved with the project, according to student Malia Lazor, committee chairwoman. Many student organizations also are participating.

All proceeds benefit the Indiana County Community Action Program food bank and Pathway Homeless Shelter; the Community Kitchen, which prepares and serves meals to Indiana County residents in need; and Family Promise of Indiana County, which provides temporary housing, counseling and meals to homeless and low-income families as they work to achieve independence.

Corporate sponsors are the Indiana Mall and Sheetz, and the community sponsor is the Coney. Other sponsors include Grubs, Indiana Midday Rotary, Moreau Technical Services, Tom's Pizza and Simply the Best DJ Services by Corey Best.