United as a community in celebration and collaboration, Slippery Rock University students, faculty and staff danced the night away at the annual “Dancing with the SRU Stars” event, March 12, in the Stoner West Dance Studio Theater.
The event is SRU’s version of the hit television series “Dancing with the Stars,” in which professional dancers pair with celebrities to train and compete in ballroom dancing. At the University, “Dancing with the SRU Stars” features student dance majors as the “dancers,” partnered with professors and staff members as the “stars.”
The 2026 overall winners were:
Christopher Warner, a sophomore dance major from Titusville (Titusville HS), with Teresa Glasgow, a former assistant director of annual giving and donor communications. Warner received a $500 scholarship.
The 2026 people’s choice winners were:
Dohnavyn Warren, freshman a dance major from Watsontown (Warrior Run HS), with Victoria Brendlinger, a facilities and custodial services worker. Warren received a $250 scholarship.
The annual dance competition is sponsored by the SRU Dance Department, the National Honor Society of Dance Arts SRU Chapter, and the Deb and Eliott Baker Scholarship.
Other contestants were:
- Elaina Pease, a sophomore dance major from Dillsburg (Northern HS), with Cassandra Eisenreich, an associate professor of music.
- Kathryn Esch, a sophomore early childhood education major from Pittsburgh (CAPA HS), with Rachele Graham, an instructor of mathematics and statistics.
- Lia Palermo, a senior sport management major from Warrendale (North Allegheny HS), with Brian Crow, a professor of sport management.
- Lily Lundberg, a freshman dance major from Windham, Maine (Windham HS), with Emily Elliott, an assistant professor of art.
More information about the dance program at SRU can be found on the program’s webpage.
