A moment in time: Brock’s 60th anniversary time capsule

Brock University is celebrating its 60th anniversary, marking the occasion by creating a time capsule which includes items that are representative of the 2024-25 school year. It is set to be reopened on the university’s 100th anniversary in 2064.  

The working group for the time capsule project has opened an online form to field suggestions for items to include which Bradley Clarke, associate vice-president of students, and chair of Brock’s 60th anniversary steering committee, said will remain open until March 14. Items must meet the following criteria:  

• Reflective of Brock’s 60th anniversary period from 2024-25 

• Highlights one or many present-day aspects of the Brock experience 

• Fits within the time capsule dimensions — 47” x 39.2” x 15.5” — while allowing a reasonable amount of space for other items 

• Can be enjoyed without the use of technology 

• Likely to be preserved for 40 years 

“One suggestion that came out is an example of what’s in the typical student’s backpack these days,” said David Sharron, head of archives and special collections at Brock. “An image of what students carry around today, because I’m sure it’s going to be dramatically different in the future.”  

“The thing is nowadays everything is digital … Years from now, there might not be a player for that media because technology changes so fast. So, we really have to move more towards analog [and] physical documents rather than digital.”  

The working group responsible for the time capsule project has set a collection deadline of June 13 for all items to be included in the project.  

Not the first 

This is the third time capsule Brock has created, with one in 2004 for their 40th anniversary and one in 2016 to celebrate renovations done to the Goodman School of Business. Mr. Clarke, himself, has been at Brock to witness all three.  

“I have a special history at Brock. My first year, as an incoming student, was in 1994, which was actually our 30th anniversary. I came back as a staff member in 2003 and so was able to be part of the 40th anniversary of the university – of course, the 50th was a major milestone, now the 60th.”  

The 40th anniversary time capsule, Mr. Clarke said, is displayed on campus between the student centre and the Plaza Building, set to be reopened on the university’s 80th anniversary in 2044.  

While there is no plan set in stone, Mr. Clarke said this time capsule will likely be put on display in the student centre when renovations are complete in 2027. It will be sealed in a ceremony sometime after spring convocation.  

“Brock has held a special place for our students, for our staff, for faculty, and also for the broader Niagara community,” said Mr. Clarke. “This is a really nice way to look back on the past 60 years, but also to send a message to future generations of Brock Badgers about what makes Brock so special.”