As part of 150th anniversary, BYU alumni help open time capsule from 1975

PROVO, Utah (ABC4) — October 16 was Brigham Young University’s 150th anniversary, and to celebrate, current students, employees, and alumni watched as a time capsule from 1975 was unveiled at the Harold B. Library.

During BYU’s 100th anniversary in 1975, students and employees buried that time capsule in the southwest corner of the Harold B. Lee Library. It was intended to be opened during the 150th anniversary, and it laid undisturbed until Thursday morning, on Founder’s Day.

The capsule contained things like a $5 bill, a centennial flag, and a cassette recorder. The items were suggested by students, faculty, and administrators back in 1975, and over 140 items were eventually chosen to reflect the accomplishments of the university and student life on campus.

There were eight categories of items in the time capsule: memorabilia for the 100th anniversary of BYU, memorabilia for the 200th anniversary of the United States (the Bicentennial), letters and manuscripts, library materials, items reflecting student life, publications, photos, and sports and recreation.

President Dallin H. Oakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was the president of BYU in 1976, and he was involved in the sealing of the time capsule.

The letters written by students 50 years ago were left in the time capsule, and some of the very students who wrote letters returned, now alumni, to read them aloud.

“In the new general education program are several new classes which are taught by computers. Freshman English as well as math are now on the system. The computer contains lessons, homework assignments and even gives tests,” Vance Campbell, a BYU alumnus, read from a letter he wrote and put in the time capsule back in 1975.

The contents of the time capsule highlighted some of the ways things haven’t changed.

“Although the construction has created some problems, students cheerfully walk around them, stand in long lines, waiting to get through the narrow detour, smile at the most unbearable noise and look forward to the day when their work is completed. Building dedicated,” Campbell continued reading.

University campuses are constantly under construction for renovations and expansions, and that has not changed in the past 50 years. Something else that hasn’t changed as much as you might think is how students carry their books around.

BYU President C. Shane Reese held up a backpack taken out of the capsule and read aloud from a note that accompanied it. “This, in quotes, backpack was commonly used by students to carry their books and supplies to and from school. It replaced the briefcase used by students up to the late sixties.”

The backpack was new in 1975, but now it is a staple for students on university campuses around the world.

The time capsule wouldn’t be complete without a tribute to the BYU Cougars football team. Former BYU quarterback Gifford Nelson was also in attendance.

“50 years ago, I can remember sitting in Lavelle Edward’s office and thinking to ourselves, what can this football program become? What can this football program become? And now we’re six all, and we’re going to win this Saturday night!” Nelson said.

Saturday night is the “Holy War,” the football game played each year between rivals BYU and the University of Utah.

The items from the time capsule will soon be put on display at the library for the general public to see.

BYU is planning another time capsule to be opened during the university’s 200th anniversary in 2075. Once again, they are taking suggestions from students, employees, alumni, and community members, and you can submit those suggestions on the BYU time capsule website here.