Dance rendition of ‘Thriller’ puts W&M in Guinness Book of Records

This is a big weekend at the College of William and Mary.

Tom Brokaw will deliver the commencement address tomorrow. Sandra Day O'Connor, the college's chancellor and a retired U.S. Supreme Court justice, will attend the ceremony and deliver welcoming remarks.

But they might have a hard time eclipsing the news that spread across the Williamsburg campus yesterday: The Guinness Book of World Records notified the school that it has smashed the mark for the largest dance rendition of Michael Jackson's "Thriller."

The London-based sanctioning organization informed the school that its effort, led by Kevin Dua, a senior history major from Alexandria, had resulted in 242 people successfully recreating "Thriller." That easily smashed the mark of 147 set by the Highlands School in London on July 18, 2008.

"It may have been my random idea from a Michael Jackson obsession gone wrong," Dua said, "but it really wasn't that much work."

He said the "Thriller" record attempt grew from his childhood, which he spent as a huge Michael Jackson fan. When he arrived in Williamsburg, he quickly became known for performing his rendition of "Thriller," and by the time Halloween rolled around last year, he noticed that others on campus were catching the Gloved One fever as well.

So he began thinking about making a run at the record.

"I thought, 'I'm going to be a second-semester senior. I'm bored. Why not try this?,' " he recalled.

Dua said he was surprised at how many people volunteered to help the attempt at a school that was chartered in 1693 by King William III and Queen Mary II as the second college in the American colonies and has a reputation for being somewhat conservative.

"It was just to try to do something entertaining and relaxing on a Sunday afternoon when most students are studying," he said. "It worked."

The scene of the April 19 event was the Sunken Garden, a large open space near the center of campus.

Video cameras were positioned strategically to capture everyone in the garden. Campus police officers served as official witnesses. News media coverage was arranged to confirm that the event occurred. Dancing coaches made sure the participants stayed true to form.

Participants, who had to sign in so their attendance could be confirmed, ranged from young children and students to professors and staff members.

"To see these different types of people interact with each other," Dua said, "it was an amazing sight. That was the best part of the whole time."

After two hours of gyrations, thrusts and slides, Dua felt they had danced well enough for the record. From there, he submitted the paperwork and videos -- and waited. Yesterday morning, he got the word that William and Mary is in the record book.

"Even if we hold the record for just a week, I can say that at one time we held a Guinness world record," he said. "I think that's a great ice-breaker in life."

The soon-to-be graduate is heading to Boston to begin a 10-month job mentoring and tutoring young children.

"I hope that this record isn't the peak in my life," he said with a chuckle. "I assume that will come when I get married, have kids and get a good job. But it definitely is a highlight of my college years."

Contact Joe Macenka at (804) 649-6804 or .