Arkansas State University

Time Capsule Ceremony

A New Tradition...

On April 12, 2010 Arkansas State University launched a new student tradition with the burial of a time capsule from the Centennial Graduating Class of 2009.  Dr. Rick Stripling, vice chancellor of student affairs, welcomed the crowd from the Arkansas State University community to the time capsule ceremony by stating the new tradition will be a bridge to the future.

“This is an important event in the life of our university,” ASU chancellor Dr. Robert Potts said.  Dr. Potts explained that each year members of the graduating class will select items symbolic of their time on campus for placement in a sealed time capsule after commencement.  The time capsule, inscribed with the appropriate class year, will be buried in one of the 25 concrete benches surrounding the historic arch in the center of campus.

Each time capsule will be opened at the 25-year Homecoming reunion of its class, with symbolic items selected by the new graduating class placed in the vacated concrete bench, thus continuing the tradition.  Dr. Ruth Hawkins, executive director for the Centennial Celebration, said the tradition will continue for at least 100 years.

The idea for an annual time capsule to be opened at 25-year intervals originated in the spring of 2008, when three students in a Case Studies and Campaigns class in the College of Communications conducted a survey to develop ideas for a fitting student tradition to be established during Arkansas State University’s centennial celebration.  Students were Tammy Booth ’08, of Jonesboro, John McCarley ’08, of Little Rock, and Jessica Williams ’08, of Harrison.

Mr. Ryan Beaird, Student Government Association president, spoke to the crowd about the student’s selection of memorabilia to be buried in the time capsule.  Mr. Beaird said, the items chosen will “remain in our hearts the rest of our lives.”  Mr. Beaird introduced Mr. Kyle Fulton, SGA public relations, who read the time capsule contents for the closing of the ceremony.  The Centennial Class of 2009 will open their time capsule at Homecoming in 2034.

*Click thumbnail to view larger image

Time Capsule Contents, Class of 2009

ASU Admission Guide
Rate Sheets for Tuition & Fees, Room & Board, and Meal Plans
Student ID Card with A-State Holder
Indian Football Jersey – Last white home Indian jersey
Twin Towers Brick
Voices – Last Alumni magazine with Twin Towers Implosion article
CN – College News magazine
People magazine
US magazine
Newsweek magazine
Yearbooks
“Keep A Child Alive” wrist band
ASU 2005 commemorative football
ASU mascot hat, “Red”
Order of The Tribe T-Shirt – Final edition
Homecoming Cup with Indian Fight Song
Homecoming Cup with Red Wolves Fight Song
Indian Koozie – Final edition
Buttons – Indian Club, New Orleans Bowl, and Little Indian Club
New Orleans Bowl Poster
Mardi Gras Beads – Indians and Red Wolves
ASU Indian Coaster
Red Wolves T-Shirt – First printing
A-State Mascot Trading Card – Bio on HOWL
Season Tickets – First Red Wolves football season
Season Tickets – First Red Wolves men’s basketball season
ASU License Plate – Centennial Class 2005-2009
100 Years 100 Voices – ASU Alumni commemorative issue
Centennial Celebration banner
Embrace Our Past – Imagine Our Future flag
Embrace Our Past – Imagine Our Future pom-pom
Act 100 Re-Enactment Ceremony – DVD
ASU Founder’s Day Ceremony program
Congressional Record Tribute from Representative Marion Berry
Congressional Record Tribute from Senator Blanche Lincoln
Centennial Congratulatory Letter from President Obama
Centennial Congratulatory Letter from Governor Mike Beebe
50-Year Class Reunion Scroll – Centennial Class of 1959
Letter from the Arkansas State University Centennial Celebration Commission
Indian Family Farewell – DVD
Time Capsule Burial Ceremony program

Back to Centennial Events Gallery