Iowa City, IA- President of the University Sally Mason arrives before she makes speech in power hour at 5:00 a.m at Dance Marathon 18, on February 4. (The Daily Iowan / Ya-Chen Chen)
A few keynote guests arrived shortly before Power Hour at the IMU for Dance Marathon 18. President Sally Mason arrived and greeted past alumni and current dancers.
Before Mason spoke to the dancers and families she told The Daily Iowan that Dance Marathon was her favorite campus event.
“This event is so important to the university in so many ways. I think it really highlights what our students are all about. The generosity, the spirit that they have, the enthusiasm — after 24 hours that is still going on,” Mason said. “This is my favorite event every year.”
Rep. Dave Loebsack D-Iowa also arrived close to five o’clock and said he was looking forward to seeing what Dance Marathon is all about for the first time.
“I’ve never actually been to the event before …but I want to see what’s going on. I can’t say I’m going to dance though,” he said with a laugh.
Loebsack said he thinks the total funds raised will surpass the dancers expectations.
“I have no doubt they’ll succeed that this year,” Loebsack said.
Gov. Terry Branstad was expected to have visited the Big Event earlier this morning, but was reportedly absence due to sickness. Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, who was scheduled to appear alongside Branstad, paid a visit to the IMU around noon to deliver the governor’s proclamation. Branstad proclaimed Feb. 4 to be “For The Kids” day in Iowa.
Mason spoke to the exhausted, large crowd with encouraging words and praise.
Mason said this year’s Dance Marathon population has grown much larger since last year, and the crowd has broken many records.
“Wow, I thought there were a lot of people here last year,” Mason said. “But you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”
Mason concluded her speech with a few encouraging words to the dancers.
“My goal coming out here today is to and thank you all, encourage you to get through the rest of the day, celebrate what will be a great Dance Marathon victory, and say thank you to everyone here, including the families here today,” she said.
Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) poses with University of Iowa mascot, Herky, during his visit to Dance Marathon 18. (The Daily Iowan/Asmaa Elkeurti)
