Melodye Bates Holden, daughter of legendary dancer Peg Leg Bates, met dance performance major Christina Marshall in February 2002 at the historic Doctors of Dance ceremony. Christina is the first recipient of the Peg Leg Bates Endowed Dance Scholarship created by Dean John Bedford with significant funding from The American Spirit Dance Company and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Singer. Peg Leg Bates lost a leg and part of a hand in a factory accident as a child. Even so, he became one of the foremost tap dancers in the world with "one leg and a peg". The scholarship was established to assist a dancer who has overcome a significant obstacle to his or her dream to become a professional dancer and to maintain the memory of Peg Leg Bates as an inspiration to all dancers.