In 28 hours, a typical SMU student will attend between three andfive classes, eat a few meals, a social event or two, and spend upto half of the time on a date with Mr. Sandman.

This weekend, however, several generous Ponies will participatein the third annual Mustang Marathon, SMU’s yearly 28-hourdance party taking place in Dedman Center for Lifetime Sportsbeginning at 6 p.m. on Friday evening.

The marathon will consist of over 300 participants, includingdancers (those who stay awake and on their feet for all 28 hours),moralers (those who work in four-hour shifts to help the dancersstay awake) and students just dropping by to have a good time.

In addition to serving as a wonderful all-night socialgathering, the dance will also be raising money for a greatcause.

In the days leading up to Mustang Marathon, participants havegathered donations from all across campus. In its first two years,the marathon has raised over $90,000.

The money collected will be donated to two beneficiaries, theElizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and Bryan’s House,the Dallas-based establishment that allows children to have a homeaway from home.

“We will see results in the fight against AIDS,”sophomore business major Garrett Farwell said, “and it feelsgood to know SMU and its students had a part to play in thatresult.”

Farwell, who is a member of the Mustang Marathon SteeringCommittee, also sees the event as an opportunity for participantsto gain a more open mind.

“I hope students take away an understanding of theHIV/AIDS problem that exists in the world today.  Mostimportantly, I want the dancers and moralers to leave the eventfeeling good about themselves and the difference they made inputting an end to pediatric AIDS.”

As an advertisement for the Marathon states, “For you itis a weekend … for them it is a lifetime.”

Sophomore marketing major Alex Haayen, the moral chair forMustang Marathon, was drawn to the event by its appealinggenerosity toward a worthy beneficiary.

“I wanted to get involved because I knew it was for agreat cause,” she said.

“All of the kids from Bryan’s house come to MustangMarathon on Saturday afternoon, and it’s so neat to actuallysee the children that we’re raising money for.”

Though it is not always an easy task to collect donations fromcollege students, Farwell has been impressed with the response tothe call for help that Mustang Marathon produces.

“I have been very pleased with the energy and enthusiasmthis campus has put into the Marathon,” he said. “There are a ton of dedicated students offering theirvaluable time to raise money for the cause.”

Haayen shared the same sentiment regarding students reaching outto children in need. 

“Though we’re always looking to make the eventbigger,” she said, “we have more dancers and moralersthis year than ever before.”

While raising money for a terrific cause, Mustang Marathonparticipants will also enjoy an array of entertainment that noteven the most happenin’ of parties can provide.

Casino games, human foosball, ping-pong tables, a giant game ofTwister and a mechanical bull are just a few of the activities sureto prevent the dancers from falling victim to slumber.

“We have lots of cool new games this year, and[entertainment chair Dale Vaughn] has brought in a ton of greatbands,” Haayen said. “The thing that I’m mostexcited about is the line dancing,” which will take placeevery hour on the hour.

Farwell is eager to partake in the largest student-runphilanthropy event on campus, giving him and others the opportunityto mingle in a uniquely diverse environment.

“My favorite part of Mustang Marathon is that it is one ofthe only campus wide philanthropic projects that crosses all[social] lines and boundaries,” he said.  “Whetheryou are faculty, staff, student, greek or non-greek, we all cometogether to make a difference at the Marathon.”

As Haayen put it, “It’s a great way to get to knowmore students, since the participants come from basically everyorganization on campus.”

Farwell also anticipates that his time as a member of theSteering Committee will open his mind to the endless benefits ofpeople helping other people.

“I hope to gain an understanding of how a university suchas SMU can make a difference in the fight against PediatricAIDS.”

Mustang Marathon will begin with a kickoff Friday afternoon at5:30 p.m., and will conclude at 10 p.m. Saturday night with acelebratory finale, looking back on a 28-hour charity event thatwill not soon be forgotten.