MU Runway makes waves outside Penfield Hall

Fashion is all about making a splash, so why not drench the executive board for a good cause?

Executive members of MU Runway turned heads as the organization held its first-ever "Splash An Exec" fundraiser for future event costs on Sept. 11, including their popular annual fashion runway show. Under the sun, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., students paid to dump buckets of ice water on executive members.

The team alternated shifts on the lawn outside Penfield Hall, giving students a chance to meet and douse different members of the organization. The fundraiser attracted a steady stream of groups, filling the scene with laughter and phones to document moments. 

"You can come out, take a load off, splash some water on the executive members, and just have a good laugh,” Jassmyn Nesmith '26 said. “The event is meant to be playful and inexpensive.”

Some students sent showers of water flying that left the members – and surrounding bystanders – scattering to avoid getting soaked. No one was safe, as it turned out, from the charitable splashing.

MU Runways seeks to promote positivity and acceptance within fashion on Mercer’s campus.

"Our overall goal is for people to be confident. I feel like there is a stigma that you have to look a certain way or dress a certain way to be relevant or for people to take notice of you,” Charlie Minton ‘27 said. “Still, everyone has their own unique style, and that is important to raise awareness toward.”

Beyond fundraising, MU Runway members hoped to make a wave on campus and expand its membership with this event. With their first General Body Meeting scheduled for later that night, executive members hoped the event would increase visibility among students, especially among the new freshman class.