BACKGROUND
This scholarship fund was established in 2026 by Michael, Bella and Evie Dart in memory of their wife and mother Megan Maureen Dart who lost her battle with neuroendocrine cancer on July 3, 2025.
Born in Indianapolis on April 26, 1974, Megan graduated from Lawrence Central High School and Ball State University with a degree in Exercise Science, where she was a proud member of Alpha Phi sorority. Megan spent the majority of her professional life providing compassionate care to patients as a cardiac sonographer at IU West Hospital and The Care Group. Megan’s warmth, generosity, and infectious love for life touched countless hearts, inspiring all who knew her. She was most proud of her enduring marriage to Michael and the successes of their daughters, Bella and Evie.
From the moment Megan was born, she knew her purpose was to help people. She welcomed anyone with a beautiful smile and comforting hug, whether she knew them or not. Megan was not always the one in the spotlight, but she did everything in her life with a purpose and she made sure everyone she met felt loved and appreciated. By working in the medical field, she could give back to others and offer a friendly smile. When her daughter Bella chose dental hygiene, she made sure to be Bella’s first patient on the Hilltop, despite being sick with cancer, so she could help her daughter do the same.
Megan loved volleyball, but what she loved even more was watching her daughters play. She was their loudest cheerleader and biggest supporter. Megan made an effort to be involved with each team the girls were a part of, often as a “team mom” and a parent who was so full of joy and excitement to watch her girls and their teammates. Her daughters, Bella and Evie, were her biggest accomplishments and she would proudly say that her favorite part of life was being a mom to them. Megan taught them many important virtues to have throughout life, both on the volleyball court and as a person. To work hard at what you do, no matter what your role is or if you are noticed. To be kind and love others, even on your bad days. To treat everyone with respect. To be confident in your abilities and know when to use your voice.
Megan was a proud supporter of the Hilltopper Volleyball Program while her daughter Bella played, and The Megan Dart Endowed Volleyball Scholarship is a way for Megan and her family to show the same support and love to the program and future Hilltoppers. The scholarship honors Megan’s legacy in healthcare helping others with her compassionate and generous spirit as well as her love and support for her daughters and their passions, particularly the sport of Volleyball.
USES AND PURPOSES
The Megan Dart Endowed Volleyball Scholarship has been created to financially aid student athletes playing women’s intercollegiate volleyball at West Liberty University with a preference for students majoring in healthcare related fields, such as Dental Hygiene, Nursing, Exercise Physiology, Biology, Pre-Medicine, Speech Pathology and other similar programs that the University offers or may offer in the future. The amount and number of scholarships awarded will be based on the income available in the fund. The scholarship, renewable for up to four years, is restricted to tuition & fees, room & board, books & supplies and travel to conferences.
Minimum Requirements for Consideration and for Renewal:
- Incoming recruit or current member of the WLU women’s Volleyball Team
- Maintain full-time college enrollment
- Maintain a cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0
- Must demonstrate a commitment to helping others, compassion, and a strong work ethic
- Preference for students majoring in a health care related field as described above
- If a student loses eligibility, discontinues attendance at WLU, discontinues participation in the sport, or discontinues as a major in a health care related field, a replacement will be selected
Selection of Recipients:
The selection process will be overseen by the Athletic Director and Head Women’s Volleyball Coach with input from faculty members familiar with the students under consideration when possible, and the Director of Financial Aid. Must be based on the requirements listed above.