CEM students participate in Purdue University Dance Marathon

Event Date: January 14, 2022

Student: Maccee Wilson

Degree: Construction Engineering and Management 

Minor: Building Information Modeling

Graduation: 2022

Tell me some of your "story"?

My name is Macee Wilson and I'm a senior studying construction engineering and management with a minor in building information modeling. After graduation in the spring, I'm going to work with Whiting-Turner in Orlando, FL as a field engineer. On campus I am involved in PUDM and club softball.

What is PUDM in your own words?

PUDM allows me to be a part of something bigger than myself. It is the most amazing feeling to be involved in an organization like PUDM surrounded by so many people all with the desire to make miracles and bring a change to kids' health.

How long have you been involved in PUDM?

I have been involved in PUDM for 4 years. My freshman year I just joined as a participant and only attended the marathon and fundraised that day. Sophomore year I was on the high school marathon relations committee. We helped partnered high schools around the state with coordinating their own dance marathons. Junior year I was on the Morale committee. Our executive put together a 10-minute mix over the summer and our job was to choreograph a dance for it which everyone would learn at the marathon. This year I was the fundraising challenges chair. I worked with 3 other students to lead our committee through the year, and I helped to plan fundraising push days for the organization.

Would you consider yourself a "dancer"?

I would definitely not consider myself a "dancer." The two big misconceptions about Purdue University Dance Marathon are that it is either constant dancing for 18 hours or it is an actual marathon. At the marathon we listen to Riley family stories, play games, learn the morale dance, fundraise, there are two raves, a riley kid talent show, and we have lots of performances to watch!

What are the funds raised used for?

Of the total that PUDM fundraises, every dollar goes directly to Riley Hospital for Children. The first $100,000 goes to the Child Life Programs which allow the kids to learn about their treatments, so it isn't as scary. The next $10,300 goes to the Tyler Trent Cancer Research Endowment, and the remaining goes to the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research at Riley.

What is your biggest take away from participating?

I'm so grateful for PUDM. I have met lifelong friends through this organization, and it has made me the person I am today. Being able to contribute to the amazing things Riley Hospital for Children does for so many people has been incredible, and I can't wait to watch PUDM grow. 

What do you want to share about PUDM?

I encourage college students to get involved, and PUDM is a great place to start. There is something for everyone and it is such a welcoming group. The more you put in, the more you will get out of it. My first year and a half I didn't do too much, but when covid hit, I had just started to get more involved in PUDM. It was the best thing I could have done. I continued to have an amazing college experience and meet so many people even with the pandemic due to being involved.

CEM student participants pictured Basie Andoh, Eve Gehlhausen and Macee Wilson