Capsule celebrates history

By Ryan May
Daily Forty-Niner

Where will you be 50 years from now? Whatever your answer, a part of you may be at Cal State Long Beach.

CSULB now joins other universities in the Cal State system, such as CS Los Angeles and CS Stanislaus, who have sealed items reflecting the past 50 years within a time capsule.

 "A lot of institutions, such as ours, like to have a time capsule as a way of chronicling the major events of the institution," said Barbara Parks, chairwoman of the time capsule committee.

Filled with nearly 75 items, including posters, sweatshirts, a class ring and a historical timeline of the university, most items reflect the bicentennial celebration. Older items, like a 1980 issue of the Daily Forty-Niner and a conference plaque from 1979, are sealed inside as well.

Located in the New Media Center next to the computer lab, the time capsule was crafted by Phil Zamora of CSULB's weld shop. It is made of aluminum and is roughly the size of a large cooler. The capsule is housed in a display case of glass and polished wood, constructed by Mike Sanders of CSULB's carpentry shop.

"Students can go by and see it and know when it's going to be opened," Parks said. "I hope a lot of students will be there 50 years from now."

The idea for the time capsule came from CSULB's 50th anniversary committee, Parks said.  Suggestions were solicited from faculty, staff, students and alumni as to what should actually be placed inside.

The time capsule was dedicated on August 25 in honor of the university's 50th anniversary. It will be opened January 28, 2049, on the occasion of CSULB's centennial celebration.