New time capsule captures snapshot of PNW for future campus communities
After the recovery of a 1990s-era time capsule in spring 2022 on Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) Westville campus, the 5.75 Roaring Ahead Steering Committee commissioned a new time capsule to historically preserve the essence of present-day campus life to share with future students, faculty, and staff more than two decades in the future.
Under the guidance of PNW Libraries and Archives staff, university departments offered items reflecting the 2020-2022 time period. Objects ranged from PNW-branded face masks to Pride Gold honey, and a plush lion to a soccer poster filled with student-athletes’ signatures. Contributed artifacts and documents reflected a metropolitan university that overcame a global pandemic and continued growing as a high-quality institution of higher learning, as well as a valued community resource focused on transformational and impactful change for Northwest Indiana.
Personalized letters and messages were also part of the collection, such as one from Student Government Association President David Bolton.
I’ve put a lot of energy and a lot of love into student government, and I can’t wait to see how it will look 25 years from now.
David Bolton, Student Government Association President
“I’ve put a lot of energy and a lot of love into student government and I can’t wait to see how it will look 25 years from now,” said Bolton. “This is blowing my mind — I’ll be 44 when they open this! I’m so excited for them to read my letter and see what they have to say.
“I’m just really proud of the school, students, and organizations that came together and took the time out of their busy schedules to put this time capsule together. It’s great to see so much love and care for the university that we all share and come to every day.”
The new time capsule will be placed with the Technology Building’s cornerstone and intended for reopening during the 2046-47 academic year. That year will mark the 30th anniversary of PNW and the 100th anniversary of its legacy institutions.
“Ever since I was a little kid I’ve had a fascination with time capsules,” said Alan McCafferty, assistant archivist. “Getting to be a part of this was cool. All the research that went into it and reaching out to the different departments to find something representative of each of them to go into the capsule was just great. It was really fun and I’m looking forward to being here in 25 years when they open it again.”
Various departments at PNW contributed numerous items to the new time capsule. Some selections included a university pennant, a signed soccer poster, an event flyer for a Juneteenth celebration, and Career Center event information. Contributed items reflected the 2020-22 time period.
A jar of PNW Pride Gold honey was one of the several items added to the time capsule.
Joseph Coates, left, reference librarian manager, and Kayla Vasilko, graduate student assistant, helped lead the time capsule dedication program.
Visitors at the dedication were able to view the new time capsule’s contents before sealing and storage.
Some of the contributed items to the time capsule included a plush lion from Student Government Association and various PNW-themed t-shirts.