April 1, 2005

Time capsule, groundbreaking pave way for centennial

MARYVILLE, Mo. - On April 29, 1982, a lead box full of papers, keepsakes and photographs reflecting how life was lived on the Northwest campus nearly a quarter century ago was sealed shut during a ceremony at the Bell Tower.

Later that year, the time capsule was buried under the terrace of the brand-new B.D. Owens Library, and instructions were issued by the Student Senate that it not be unearthed until Northwest celebrated its 100th birthday.

On March 30, 2005, that day arrived.

The unsealing of the capsule’s contents at The Station (formerly the Conference Center) was one of two spring “pre-events” leading up to Northwest’s centennial celebration, which will be formally observed during the 2005-2006 academic year.

The other pre-event, also on March 30, was a groundbreaking ceremony for Centennial Garden, a small park now under construction in a vacant courtyard between the South and North Complex residence halls.

Both current students and alumni who helped assemble the time capsule 23 years ago took part in the unsealing. The capsule itself was unearthed some weeks before in order to make sure the artifacts, which had been placed in archival-grade envelopes, were still intact.

According to Deb Toomey, associate director for admissions and a member of the centennial on-campus planning committee, plans call for the capsule to remain above ground throughout the centennial period. Its contents will be placed on public display at the University.

During the centennial period, Toomey said, people may contribute items for when the capsule is re-interred in Aug. 2006. The original contents will be returned to the bottom of the capsule and the new artifacts placed over them.

During the unsealing, the capsule was found to contain several hand-written letters from faculty, staff and students and a number of messages that were typed – really typed – on a typewriter.

The box also held a videotape about the University, composite photographs of Greek organizations, newspaper articles, once-fashionable hoop earrings and a “funky tie” formerly worn by Dr. Roger Corley, professor emeritus of history.

Tom Carneal, another retired history professor, spoke briefly during the ceremony and recalled serving as faculty adviser for the Student Senate committee that buried the time capsule in the first place.

Linda Borgedalen Baer, who was Student Senate president in 1982, and current Student Senate President Chase Cornett were on hand to physically unseal the artifacts and reveal them to the crowd of about 200 using an overhead viewer.

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