Your major does not always predict your life’s path.
Jay Sims, who graduated from Northwestern in 1997 with a degree in chemical engineering, has spent 300 hours over the past ten years spinning the tables for Dance Marathon.
It began as a high school hobby. At NU, he took on a work-study job as a DJ for a student-run company that threw parties at the university.
As a sophomore, he was assistant DJ for DM, and in his senior year he began his decade-long reign as the DM DJ.
Sims considers DM to be the highlight event of his year, he said.
“The best part is driving the party and being the backbone of the joy,” Sims said. “I have a lot of fun programming the music. If I was out there in their shoes, what would I want to listen to?”
After graduation, he took a job in engineering and started to pursue an MBA, although he continued to play music at parties, including DM, in his free time.
Eventually, he decided he could make a living from deejaying. He quit his engineering job in 2002 to start Something 2 Dance 2, which currently serves the Chicago area.
Sims maintains a long-term commitment to Dance Marathon.
“I will continue as long as they want to have me back,” he said. “I’m honored to do it, and I never take it for granted.”
Dance Marathon executive co-chairs Cecilia Byrne and Ben Woo said Sims plays an important role in the event’s success. DM would have a different feel without him.
“We hope he continues to stay involved with DM for years to come,” said Byrne, a Weinberg senior.
Sims also performs for many fraternity parties and plays for Senior Week, class reunions and weddings.
Kate Diaz, social chair of Willard Residential College and a Medill sophomore, worked with Sims at the 2005 Willard formal.
“He is very dedicated to the NU community,” she said.
Sims considers DM 1997, his first, to be his most memorable. He spent months preparing the music for the event. The energy of his friends and fellow students motivated him.
That year, DM’s primary beneficiary was the Gus Foundation, a Chicago-based charity for children with brain tumors. The organization was created in memory of Gus Evangelides, who died from a brain tumor at 21 months.
Gus’ parents danced all 30 hours, Sims said.
“It was so heart-wrenching and wonderful,” he said.
As Sims continues to dj for DM, he said he expects to see the event expand.
“I see DM outgrowing the Louis Room, especially because it puts limits on how many students can participate,” he said. “I also (predict) Dance Marathon will raise $1 million in the near future and gain national exposure as it becomes a bigger and better philanthropy.”
Reach Andrea Castillo at [email protected].
