By Martina Starkey '24

Megan Houvig ’24 is excited and actively preparing to have Mount Union’s first dance marathon in April. Houvig, a transfer student from Massillon, Ohio, transferred to Mount Union in her sophomore year in Fall 2021.  

“I transferred to Mount Union because I really liked the biology program, and I had more opportunities on campus than my previous university,” Houvig said. 

Houvig, who originally came to campus planning on majoring in biology, is currently working on a major in psychology and a minor in business.  

During her first semester on campus, Houvig started and is now the president of UMU Dance Marathon, which raises money for Akron Children’s Hospital through Children’s Miracle Network to help children who are sick and in need of money for treatments. Houvig credits student and faculty support that allowed her to establish the organization on campus, which directly gives back to kids in need. 

“I started dance marathon because the kids we dance for are incredible, and they deserve to live a life free of sickness and draining treatments,” said Houvig. “They deserve to just be kids.” 

UMU Dance Marathon’s first major event, a six-hour dance marathon, will be held on April 22 in the Peterson Field House. The marathon will also include other events hosted by different campus organizations, as well as hosting children from Akron Children’s Hospital who will join either virtually or in person.  

“My favorite part of my previous experience with dance marathons is when we had a zoom call with the kids,” said Houvig. “It makes a big difference when you see and talk to people that you are actually fundraising for.”