KU News Release

Graduation stories: Dancer’s injury won’t stop him from walking down the Hill

Marcus Hurst

LAWRENCE — Marcus Israel Hurst isn’t allowing a broken leg to keep him from celebrating his graduation from the University of Kansas.

Granted, it will be a wee bit more difficult to navigate traffic as he makes his way down Mount Oread and into Memorial Stadium on May 17, but Hurst, a dance major from Lenexa, is up to the challenge.

“Things like this don’t really impede on plans I have,” said Hurst. “I just take it with a grain of salt and continue. Life still goes on, and I’ve waited four years for this. I would not let one accident from dancing prohibit my attendance at commencement.”

Hurst broke his leg in dance class. As a member of the University Dance Company, he had been excused from class because of an upcoming performance. But Hurst wanted to attend anyway.

“About halfway through the class, we were doing a center combination,” Hurst explains. “It was during that combination that I landed from a jump and, from what I believe, rolled my ankle and fell to the ground on my back. I broke a small chunk of my tibia and a slice of my fibula. The next day I had surgery so they could stabilize my ankle joint. I still went to opening night of the University Dance Company concert, as well as the last performance the next day. I had had surgery that day, as well.”

In addition to missing his final concert, Hurst is giving up his status as banner carrier for the School of Fine Arts. For the commencement ceremony, each school chooses one academically outstanding student to lead its graduates down the hill. After Hurst broke his leg, it was decided that another fine arts student would carry the banner because of the difficulty it would pose for the injured Hurst.

“It was disappointing that I was no longer the carrier, but I realized that I will still walk down the hill and graduate as planned,” Hurst says, keeping a positive attitude.

Jerel Hilding, associate professor of dance, has known Hurst since the young dancer was a freshman.

“Marcus is not only a dancer but also a musician and actor,” he said. “He is energetic, eager and enthusiastic about any kind of performing. He is very polite, respectful and his determination in class and rehearsal is tempered by a wonderful sense of humor. It was unfortunate that Marcus’ recent injury prevented him from performing one last time in the University Dance Company concert. He was dancing better than ever and I was disappointed that he did not get a chance to show it.”

Besides dance, Hurst was involved with the Marching Jayhawks during his time at KU. Memories from his experiences in the band rank among his favorites.

“Trips with both marching band and the University Dance Company have provided me with several memories to last a lifetime,” says Hurst. “From away games to bowl championships and from Kansas Dance Festival in the fall to American College Dance Festival in the spring, these trips with college friends have been some of the best. The people and friends you meet while at KU shape who you become and allow one to be their true self.”

Hurst’s future plans include pursing a master’s degree in either choreography, physical therapy or journalism. In the meantime, he will stay in the Kansas City area to work, teach and audition, all while saving up for graduate school.

“My dream is to perform on Broadway, be a member of dance company and act or dance in commercials, music videos, print advertising and on film,” says Hurst. “I’ve always loved performing and will always be a performer.”

Hurst is graduating with a bachelor’s of fine arts in dance with highest distinction. He is the son of Michael and Vicki Hurst and a graduate of Shawnee Mission West High School.

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