2022-2023 VCU-Marquette Challenge Raises More than $160,000 for the Foundation

For the fourth consecutive year, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) took first place in this year’s Marquette Challenge: a student-led fundraiser to support the mission of the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research. The top fundraising school earns co-naming rights for the next year’s Marquette Challenge and will host the Marquette Challenge traveling cup, a trophy inscribed with the names of the schools that have taken top honors since the Marquette Challenge began in 1989.

The top three schools for the 2022-2023 Challenge were VCU ($24,793.89), the University of Miami ($16,458.40), and the University of Delaware ($13,088.61). Fifty-nine schools participated this year, holding creative events across the US and raising a collective $166,464.59. Since its inception in 1989, thousands of students from hundreds of schools have participated in the Challenge, raising more than $4.8 million to support the Foundation’s mission.

 Honorable Mention: Schools raising $3,000 or more

Duke University; Indiana University; New York University; Regis University; Shenandoah University; Somerset Community College; Ohio State University; University of Iowa; University of Illinois at Chicago; University of Maryland- Eastern Shore; University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; William Carey University.

Award of Merit: Schools raising $6,000 or more

Arcadia University; Emory University

Award of Excellence: Schools raising $10,000 or more

Boston University; University of Delaware: University of Miami; Virginia Commonwealth University

Award of Distinction: Schools raising $20,000 or more

Virginia Commonwealth University

Marquette University was also recognized for hosting the challenge. “I want to send a shout out to Marquette University students for their steadfast support in co-hosting and working quietly behind the scenes to coordinate the Challenge each year,” said awards ceremony MC Jimmy McKay. “Marquette does not compete in the Challenge but year over year their students also host events and raises funds to support research.”

Giving Milestones

This year’s challenge saw a number of schools join the Philanthropy Circle—which recognizes schools with cumulative fundraising over $50,000 and participation over 10 years—for the first time, and one program ascended to the next level. University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and Somerset Community College all entered the Cornerstone Philanthropy Circle, as their cumulative fundraising totals reached over $50,000. The University of Delaware entered the Collegiate Circle as their total surpassed $200,000.

Special Awards

Most Successful Newcomer: University of Maryland, Eastern Shore

Biggest Stretch School: Emory University

Most Successful PTA School: Sommerset Community College

Most Creative: Northwestern University

Best Comeback: Boston University

Best Effort to Raise $1000: Carroll University

The particiapting schools were honored at an awards ceremony on May 23. You can view the awards ceremony—which included several special guests—by clicking the video in the right-had side of this page or by clicking here, or view a slideshow of the awardees below.

Research guides how PTs and PTAs deliver care, how students learn, and how professionals are paid for services. Over the years, students have made a big difference in sowing the seeds for critically needed physical therapy research.

Special thanks to our Marquette Challenge Title Sponsor: HPSO/CNA, and Awards Ceremony contributing sponsors: California Physical Therapy Fund, the APTA Academy of Leadership and Innovation, and APTA New York.

Our 2022-2023 Fundraising Schools