On Friday, March 18th, the Lambda Sigma Chapter at Pepperdine University hosted their annual Psi U Think You Can Dance Philanthropy. This event invites Fraternities, Sororities and other student organizations to create dance teams and compete in front of a panel of judges. Beginning in the 2000’s this event has grown into a campus tradition, and after having to hold the event online in 2021, returned to an in person performance in front of the student body on campus.

Since the Philanthropy’s inception proceeds have gone to support the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation which became Conquer Paralysis Now. Sam Schmidt ’86 was a founder and first president of Lambda Omega Sigma, the local fraternity that became our Lambda Sigma Chapter in 1998. Sam was a professional Indy car driver when he sustained a C-3/4/5 spinal cord injury while practicing for the 2000 season opener at Walt Disney World Speedway. He created the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (SSPF) that year to raise funds for medical research, innovative equipment used for rehabilitation, and quality-of-life issues. In 2014 SSPF became Conquer Paralysis Now and is a leading authority on spinal cord injury research and treatment.

You can read more about the event at the Pepperdine Graphic.