Loomis Chaffee will welcome alumni back to the Island for a revival of Founders Day on Saturday, September 24.

Previously held each fall, Founders Day returns this year with a schedule of events that includes a barbeque in Grubbs Quadrangle; a special encore lecture by Bert Thurber, faculty emeritus of history and politics; and athletics competitions versus the Big Blue of Phillips Andover.

The day’s events will begin with check-in at 11:30 a.m., followed by the barbeque lunch on Grubbs Quad for alumni and their families as well as current students and faculty. Bert will deliver his lecture, “The Presidency and an Exceptional Election,” at 1 p.m.

Pelican athletics teams will take on Andover in 13 separate contests across campus. Boys and girls soccer, field hockey, volleyball, and boys water polo will begin play between 2 and 2:30 p.m., and the varsity football team will storm Pratt Field at 3:30 p.m. The day also will feature an Admissions information session, Pelican spirit events, kids’ activities, and concessions during the football game.

“Founders Day has been the product of many departments, including several student organizations, coming together,” says Fred Kuo associate director of Alumni & Parent Relations and director of Experiential Learning. “We are all looking forward to having alumni back on campus and offering events from academics, arts, and athletics.”

In addition to Bert’s lecture and the sports events, Founders Day attendees are invited to view an exhibition of photographic artwork by Hank Paper in the Sue and Eugene Mercy Jr. Gallery in the Richmond Art Center between 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., watch a rehearsal of the student fall production of The Crucible in the Norris Ely Orchard Theater, take a student-led tour of campus featuring the newly opened Cutler Hall, and stop in to the recently expanded bookstore in the SNUG.

Attendance at all events is free of charge for alumni and their families, however, attendees are asked to R.S.V.P. online for planning purposes. For more information, registration, and a complete schedule of events, connect to the Founders Day website.