Larsen Commons to be Dedicated

Courtyard in honor of Dr. Dale & Raylene Larsen

With the dedication of the Dale and Raylene Larsen Commons this weekend, Bob Gaver and his staff have been busy adding final touches to the renovated campus space. The dedication event will take place on Saturday, October 10 at 11:30 a.m. in the courtyard area. Several members of the Larsen family will be honored guests for the occasion.

Work on the project extended throughout the summer months transforming the area between the Mackey Center and Levitt Library into a student mall. Larsen Commons, named for York College's beloved 14th president and his wife, was made possible through a generous donation.

Larsen Commons features a landscaped patio with seating for events such as outdoor concerts, receptions, and campus devotionals. Along with the courtyard, construction and landscaping work provided for a new handicap accessible entrance to the library, sponsored in large part by a special faculty/staff fundraising effort.

Dr. Larsen served as YC president from 1960-1978, the longest tenure in the college's history. During his presidency, McCloud Hall, Levitt Library, Thomas Hall, and the Freeman Center were built. Prior to his service as president, Dr. Larsen was instrumental in negotiations for the school's reopening in 1956. The Larsens currently reside in Florida.

In addition to the work on the outside of the Mackey Center, the inside also received a major makeover. Elegant booths with wood laminate flooring and a decorative ceiling, a bistro area, study lounge, French doors, all against a classic backdrop of appeasing colors and shapes have repositioned Mackey's role in campus life. Students are now able to enter the dining hall through the west, south, and north doors and they have access to the dining area from 7 am to midnight. The food service area is open until 7 pm each weekday. Also new this year is the arrival of Aladdin Food Services, replacing Ameriserve.

"In addition to all the renovations, Aladdin also features made-to-order food to better serve today's college students," said dean of students, Dr. Shane Mountjoy. "With the extended hours and the variety of seating and table options, the dining hall has been elevated to an inviting student gathering place."

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