IWU opens a time capsule to remember turbulent times

Posted on October 6, 2019
IWU TIME CAPSULE
Some of the items from a 50 year old time capsule that was opened this weekend at Illinois Wesleyan University.
(From Illinois Wesleyan University)

 

By Howard Packowitz and HOI-ABC

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois Wesleyan University looked back this weekend to a time 50 years ago when Americans were divided by the Vietnam War and Civil Rights. It was also a time when the Amazin’ Mets broke Cub fans’ hearts, and U.S. astronauts reached the moon.

During homecoming festivities, the university opened a time capsule that Apollo 8 commander Frank Borman placed in the Mark Evans Observatory when the building was dedicated in 1969.

Inside the time capsule were letters from former school presidents, food, pictures, coins, and other various items.

Current and retired physics faculty along with students and alumni participated in the time capsule removal.

Borman and his Apollo 8 crewmates James Lovell and William Anders were awarded honorary Illinois Wesleyan Doctorates during the 1969 Founders’ Day convocation.

“Just kinda imagine what would people from that time have tucked away that was important and significant to them and what would we tuck away now that is significant to us 50 years in the future to reflect back about,” IWU Provost and Dean of Faculty Mark Brodl told our news partner, Heart of Illinois-ABC.

Alumni who were there 50 years ago said it reminded them about the conflicts of the day, but they also were proud of the advancements that have been made.

Apollo 8 was the first mission to orbit the moon, and Wesleyan was the first school to award Borman, Lovell, and Anders honorary doctorates.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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