By Marissa Warden

Founders Day, a community-wide celebration to honor Macalester’s history and founding, will take place tonight beginning at 8:30 p.m. in the Campus Center. The event will be complete with live music from the band Solacious and student a capella groups as well as dancing, birthday cake, and games. One of the few campus-wide events at Macalester, Founders Day was on old tradition that stopped for a while during the 1980s and 1990s, said Amy Phenix, Director of Communications and Public Relations. “President Rosenberg resurrected it when he arrived and it’s been one of the most popular campus events for the past eight years” said Phenix.

Students can look forward to snacks, desserts and free soft drinks. For those students of age, there will be a cash bar serving beer and wine, though a college-issued and state identification will be required to enter the bar area. In addition to dancing there will be different activities on each level of the Campus Center.

“The photo portrait studio on the lower level is always popular and we encourage students to get there early. Snacks, mocktails and a variety of activities including Kinect will be on the second floor” said Phenix.

There are a few changes to the layout of the event this year. Instead of going upstairs to the atrium for coat check, students will need to go downstairs to the SPO area to check their coats. Snacks and mocktails will now be found in the atrium and various games and activities will be taking place in the second floor conference rooms.

Guests are also being asked to forgo bringing backpacks, large bags or purses to the event. “The crowds in the building make it impossible to carry these items around,” Dean of Student Jim Hoppe said, “and we cannot fully guarantee the safety of some many items during the course of the night. It’s easier all around if folks left such items at home.”

“Founders Day has become one of the favorite traditions of the school year,” Hoppe said, “and we’re looking forward to a great event. It’s a fantastic opportunity for students faculty and staff to come together and celebrate being part of this community.