DECATUR, Ill. -- It was cookie time again at Millikin University on Wednesday, December 10, as the 92nd edition of Millikin's Cookie Party brought the Big Blue community together for a warm and lively celebration of the holiday season.
Students began lining up outside the University Commons' Bob and Debi Johnston Banquet Rooms nearly an hour before the event's 2 p.m. start time, eager to grab sweet treats.
Volunteers had been busy for days preparing for this year’s Cookie Party, which included more than 1,000 dozen cookies for the Millikin community to gobble up.
The history of the Cookie Party dates back to December 1934, when the first Christmas Tea was held in the browsing room of Gorin Library, now Gorin Hall. Hosted by the Millikin Dames, an organization for women on Millikin's staff and the wives of faculty members and trustees, the first tea cost $2.
The Christmas Tea, an annual holiday event honoring Millikin students, was held in the Gorin Library until 1960. The original teas were formal events featuring silver tea services and Millikin Dames as servers.
In 1960, the tea was relocated to the University Center, and in 1964, the Christmas Tea was renamed the Cookie Party. The Cookie Party was then held in the Richard Treat University Center and is now held in the University Commons.
Check out some photos from this year's event:
