The formal event began at 8:00 p.m. and ended at midnight, with music provided by the Jerry O’Hagen Orchestra.

The attendance this year was "excellent," according to Leslie Sandberg, assistant director of student activities. At least 600-700 people were present at any given point throughout the evening.

The last three hours boasted a packed dance floor; people even stayed for a while after the band stopped playing. During the breaks taken by the band, the St. Olaf Ballroom Dance Club performed a few numbers, complete with costumes.

The President’s Ball is annually organized and funded completely by the Student Activities Committee (SAC).

The President’s office is involved to the extent that, as the host of the event, the college president is instrumental in deciding the date of the ball.

The President’s Ball provides a unique opportunity for St. Olaf students and faculty, to attend a formal event hosted by the President of St. Olaf College.

"One of the greatest things about the dance was President Thomforde. He took the time out of his busy night to take a picture with our group and even requested a copy of the picture when it’s developed," Emily Strand ’05 said.

The ball also provides students and faculty a fun opportunity to dress up and show off their ballroom dancing skills.

"It brought the ‘class’ back to dances. It was the best dance I’ve ever been to," Sonja Tengblad ’06 said.

Interestingly enough, according to the St. Olaf Archives, social dancing was prohibited at the St. Olaf campus until February 1961.

The first President’s Ball on record was held in April 1983.

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