By Ken Mullinax
Alabama State University held a ceremony on August 22 on the Academic Mall to fill a 50-year time capsule. The ceremony was hosted by ASU President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr. He was joined by a cadre of University leaders and members of the student body, who contributed historical and contemporary materials to be sealed in the vault until its scheduled opening on Aug. 22, 2074.
The ceremony began with Shani Crayton, executive director of ASU's Office of Marketing and Strategic Communications, welcoming the crowd of onlookers. "We are here today to encapsulate items from this academic year into our new 50-year time capsule, so future Hornets may see the great changes that occurred within the next 50-year span of time," Crayton said.
Items include videos and voice recordings from current ASU students, faculty and staff, and a special message from Ross to the students of the future.
"Born out of necessity, over 157 years ago, nine former slaves had the foresight and wisdom to put together our University, which benefited children yet unborn, and through turmoil and triumphs, we are proud of all that ASU is today," Ross said.
"Each one of us here today is part of this proud history and by placing these items today in this time capsule, to be opened in the year 2074, we are allowing future members of the Hornet Nation family to see what we are today. This is a surreal moment," he added.
Also included within the capsule were campus photos, ASU sports paraphernalia, documents highlighting ASU's current achievements and much more. ASU faculty and staff brought their business cards to be enclosed in the capsule.
On February 1, 2024, the 1974 capsule, which had been sealed by then president, Dr. Levi Watkins, was opened by Ross. The capsule contained several sealed archival boxes that kept the contents in immaculate condition despite having been locked away for half a century. Stored items included special ASU coins and medallions commemorating events held in the early 1970s; photos of faculty, students and staff; pristine copies of Hornet yearbooks from 1971, 1972 and 1973; an aerial photo of the campus; a brochure highlighting the 32nd Magic City Football Classic; student registration cards; and more.
The 1974 Time Capsule Exhibit is open in the Levi Watkins Learning Center. The items will be on display all semester.