Scott Rice is the treasurer of the State Swing Society, and he is also one of the main teachers for the group. Rice danced in the swing dancing club when he was an undergraduate at MSU and returned as an instructor after obtaining his graduate degree. Rice has been teaching swing dancing for nine years, but has been swing dancing for about 16 years. Rice thinks it is important to have dance clubs on campus.

“I think it’s a social healthy activity,” Rice said.

He also feels that the State Swing Society can be something students do on the weekends as an alternative to drinking.

“It is healthy in terms of getting people physically active and building social connections,” Rice said.

From time to time, the dancing club puts on shows for the community at local theaters. They also perform at different venues and events held by church groups and student organizations.

Rice said one of his goals is to continue to grow the State Swing Society by making fliers, chalking sidewalks and reaching out to the community in other ways. Participation hasn’t reached its full potential, especially because the group doesn’t have a space to teach lessons. Rice is encouraging the university to stand behind the swing dance group because he thinks it is valuable to students.

The State Swing Society meets every Sunday in Demonstration Hall with lessons from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. and open dancing from 9:00 to 10:30 p.m.