WMU HOME > ABOUT WMU > WMU NEWS Time capsule sealed until WMU's sesquicentennial April 19, 2004 KALAMAZOO--President Judith I. Bailey officially dedicated Western Michigan University's Centennial Time Capsule in a ceremony today outside Seibert Administration Building, where the capsule will be sealed until the University's sesquicentennial in 2053. "This ceremony officially and symbolically concludes our centennial celebration," said Bailey, noting that many of the items included were souvenirs of WMU's centennial, "all boxed up and ready to be put away." The capsule is a rectangular metal box with a capacity of two cubic feet, manufactured specifically for the purpose of serving as a time capsule. It is scheduled to be opened on the University's Founders Day, May 27, 2053. Until then, it will reside in the base of the Centennial Sculpture, an outdoor work that was commissioned in honor of WMU's 100th anniversary and dedicated Oct. 23, 2003. The sculpture is located near the main entrance to Seibert Administration Building. Also making remarks during the ceremony were Shavonne Petts, vice president of the Western Student Association and capsule project coordinator; and Ruth Heinig, WMU professor emerita and co-chair of the Centennial Celebration Committee. Items included in the capsule were selected by a time capsule committee from suggestions made by students, alumni, faculty and staff. One of the committee members was director of University Archives and Regional History Collections, Dr. Sharon Carlson, who helped the committee avoid duplicating items that would be readily available in 2053 through libraries and archives. Carlson also prepared the materials for their 50-year storage. "We wanted to select items that represent 2003, our centennial year, and life at WMU today," Heinig said. "But we also wanted to make sure that everything we put in the capsule could be preserved for half a century. "Getting to this point has been a lengthy, yet exciting process," Heinig added "We really appreciate all the wonderful suggestions and material that people contributed." A complete list of items included in the Centennial Time Capsule and a list of the time capsule committee members follows. Items included in the Centennial Time Capsule Michigan House of Representatives centennial proclamation Michigan Senate centennial proclamation Inauguration of President Bailey/Centennial Gala program Inauguration/Centennial Gala ticket and parking permit WMU Alumni Association centennial holiday ornament WMU Foundation Centennial Calendar WMU Centennial supplement of the Kalamazoo Gazette WMU Centennial supplement of the Western Herald Centennial pin and centennial necktie Photos of selected centennial events and activities Replica of centennial banner with East Hall cupola Envelopes with centennial cancellation stamp Trolley replica photo Trolley replica dedication program Trolley pass issued to Ruth Heinig Musical score of senior Justin Avery's centennial composition, "100 Years" Music CD of Avery's composition performed by Gold Company and GCII Centennial Coca-Cola bottle Centennial Homecoming t-shirt, postcard and events brochure Audio CD of Centennial Homecoming Parade 2003 Distinguished Alumni Awards program Class ring pamphlet Centennial student rock concert ticket stub Bronco Marching Band music CD World Affairs Council Centennial Lecture Series brochure Historic Campus Tour booklet 2003 souvenir address book from Campus School/High School reunion 2004 ice cream social invitation from College of Education Letter from Student Alumni Association with signed group photo Letter from President Emeritus Diether Haenicke Letter from President Judith Bailey Letter from Shavonne Petts, time capsule coordinator Letter from Ed and Ruth Heinig, centennial co-chairs 2003-04 WMU Facts leaflet 2004 Faculty, Staff, Student Directory WMU-AAUP faculty union contract Professional Support Staff Organiation mission and constitution Administrative Professional Association constitution Employee service recognition program Joyce DeRight's WMU name badge Parent orientation packet Fall 2003 course catalogue, class schedule WMU Bookstore receipt Finals Finish poster Menus from several area restaurants Bernhard Center cafeteria menu 2003-04 dining plans and dining hall menu Student Employee Appreciation Week leaflets Student Employee of the Year certificate Leaflet for "International Student Population" Leaflet for International Festival and International Festival Lanyard Student Health Insurance Plan brochure Health Issues brochures, including "Taking Care of Body Piercings," "Getting What You Want from Body Art," "HIV Infection and AIDS: What Everyone Should Know," "Stress in College," "Alcoholism & Related Problems," and "Safer Sex." 2003-04 Miller Auditorium program book 2003-04 WMU football schedule magnet 2003-04 WMU men's basketball schedule magnet Women's varsity letterwinner celebration program Registered Student Organization booklet Student Entertainment Team brochure Radio station WIDR cup koozie Campus Activities Board magnet Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered student poster WMU student government ballpoint pen WMU parking brochure and parking ticket Seven bus schedules from Kalamazoo Metro Transit Diploma, honorary doctor of education awarded to Buster Bronco Bronco Eco Mug Cell phone Musical score of senior Justin Avery's, "Cell Phone Mode" Palm Pilot with brochure Bottle of Bell's Oberon Beer Bronco water bottle U.S. Michigan quarter, issued 2004 Centennial Time Capsule Committee Shavonne Petts, Committee Coordinator and WSA Vice-President Beth Berry, President, Campus Activities Board Sharon Carlson, Director, WMU Archives and Regional History Collections Sue Green, Program Director, Bernhard Center Ruth Heinig, Co-Chair, Centennial Celebration Committee Paul Hildenbrand, Academic Advisor, College of Education Ruthann Lapham, WSA Director of Recognition and Tradition Carol Morris-Mier, Office Associate, College of Education Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu WMU News Office of University Relations Western Michigan University 1903 W Michigan Ave Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA 269 387-8400 www.wmich.edu/wmu/news