You’ve probably walked past the granite pedestal between the Griffins Landing Convenience Store and Starbucks in Building 6 countless times. The grey monument may blend right in, but its contents will be front-and-centre over the next several months as MacEwan University celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Back in 1993, the MacEwan’s students’ association (now the Students’ Association of MacEwan University) set out to create a time capsule to commemorate the official opening of City Centre Campus with instructions that it be opened during MacEwan’s 50th anniversary.

SAMU invited all students, faculty and staff to contribute – and they certainly did. 

Along with a significant amount of paper – brochures, student handbooks, program guides and dot-matrix printouts of student lists – the time capsule was filled with statues, jerseys, t-shirts, VHS tapes, floppy discs and much more. Together, the pieces offer a snapshot of post-secondary life as the 20th century drew to a close.

“I’m eager to take a closer look at the past of MacEwan University and the Students’ Association, and what the leaders of 25 years ago thought was important for us to see,” says Myles Dykes, president of Students’ Association of MacEwan University. “So much has changed for students in 25 years – not only what we study, but how we study. When this time capsule was sealed, I don’t think anyone could have predicted that we would be taking classes online and remotely during a global pandemic.”

Because of COVID-19, the university had to look for creative alternatives to a conventional time capsule opening event. On November 30, Dr. Trimbee and the SAMU president came together to unveil two new exhibits beside the original time capsule that highlight a selection of its contents. An online gallery also includes several additional items from within the time capsule and additional on-campus exhibits are planned for the new year. 

“Time capsules are such a fascinating way for people of the past to communicate with people of the future,” says Dr. Annette Trimbee, president and vice-chancellor. “These pieces from almost three decades not only offer a glimpse of life in 1993, they also illustrate the incredible accomplishments of MacEwan students, faculty and staff during that time, and how those efforts to create excellent opportunities for undergraduate students continue today. It’s a great reminder as we embark on implementing the university’s new strategic vision.” 

MacEwan time capsule 2.0

As part of the university’s 50th anniversary celebrations, a new time capsule is being created with instructions that it be opened on MacEwan’s 100th anniversary in 2071. 

Students, faculty and staff are being invited to contribute their ideas for what should be included, and the new time capsule will be sealed in the spring of 2022.