22 August 2024

By Ken Mullinax

Alabama State University held a ceremony on the Academic Mall to dedicate a 50-year time capsule. The ceremony was hosted by ASU President Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr. He was joined by several university leaders and members of the student body who contributed historical and contemporary materials to be sealed in the vault until its opening on August 22, 2074.

The ceremony began with Shani Crayton, executive director of ASU’s Office of Marketing and Strategic Communications, welcoming the audience. “We are here today to enclose items from this academic year in our new 50-year time capsule so that future Hornets can see the great changes that have occurred over the next 50 years,” Crayton said.

Features include videos and voice recordings from current ASU students, faculty and staff, as well as a special message from Ross to future students.

“Born out of necessity, over 157 years ago, nine former slaves had the vision and wisdom to found our university, benefitting children yet unborn. Despite turmoil and triumphs, we are proud of all that ASU is today,” Ross said.

“Each of us here today is part of this proud history and by placing these items today in this time capsule to be opened in 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 in the capsule were campus photos, ASU sports paraphernalia, documents highlighting ASU’s recent accomplishments, and more. ASU faculty and staff brought their business cards, which were included in the capsule.

On February 1, 2024, Ross opened the 1974 capsule that had been sealed by then-President Dr. Levi Watkins. The capsule contained several sealed archival boxes, the contents of which remained in pristine condition despite being locked away for half a century. Items stored included special ASU coins and medallions commemorating events from the early 1970s; photographs of faculty, students and staff; pristine copies of the 1971, 1972 and 1973 Hornet yearbooks; an aerial photograph of campus; a brochure about the 32nd Magic City Football Classic; student ID cards and more.

The 1974 Time Capsule exhibit is open in the Levi Watkins Learning Center. The exhibits will be on display throughout the semester.