From interacting with his classmates to general fundraising throughout the year, Ben Bowery says that he loves everything that comes with being Chairman of the TribeTHON on the campus of The College of William and Mary.

The Salem native recently helped raise more than $40,000 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals with a big dance marathon event. “This was my first year in charge along with my co-director Vianca. This is our third year overall being in existence,” he said. “We have a twenty-person executive board with seventy members overall.”

Whitney Huston, a Program Director for Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, speaks very highly of Ben Bowery. “I met the him last Spring when he took on the role of Executive Director of William and Mary’s TribeTHON,” she said. “Over the last couple of months, I’ve worked closely with him and the other director Vianca. Ben is a very driven, motivated and compassionate man who truly cares about making a difference in the world.”

The dance marathon was from 2 p.m. to midnight in early February. Along with dancing, the marathon has also featured performances by a capella groups, a cheer team and various cultural organizations.

“Our fundraiser starts at the beginning of each school year. Our big push happens when we get back from winter break until the dance marathon happens,” Ben said. “Last year we raised $33,000 and this year we raised over $40,000. We are still getting checks in the mail.”