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Time Capsules Open Alumni Memories

On the sidewalk leading to Kendall Hall lies a buried ring of memories, the time capsules of CSU, Chico classes of yesteryear. On Saturday, October 9, two of those capsules were dug up and opened in front of a crowd of alumni, students, and university personnel.

Jack Fox, Alumni and Parent Relations, confessed that the cement had actually been dug up earlier to make sure the time capsules were actually there. They were undisturbed and the cement re-sealed. After the 1939 cement cover was broken, the surprisingly small steel box was lifted out, opened, and delivered to President Esteban. Esteban and Fox gingerly lifted the damp top item for the crowd to see. As Esteban commented that it was a card, several alumni called out, "It's a dance card." Only two of the ten dances were filled out prompting Esteban to quip, "Hope it wasn't too disappointing."

The names on the card, Pemberton and Hathaway, were a friend and brother-in-law of Fern Ludden Matz, a 1949 graduate whose older siblings attended Chico State in the 1930s. "We've been a Chico State family for years, and it's been very special to all of us," she said. Matz attended the ceremony with her two friends from high school, who also attended Chico State.

The box from 1949 was difficult to open, and the materials inside were damp and mildewed. The musty odor emanating from the box reached the audience sitting several yards away. As Esteban lifted a book from the box, two 1949 alums handed him readable copies of the yearbook, the Record Œ49-er. "This is to show you that sometimes when you want to keep things longer, it's better to just keep them at home," he said as he held the mildewed copy along side the preserved yearbook for all to see.

In 1949, there were two class presidents. Adrian Stanga, who graduated mid-year, was president of his class for the first semester and was also on the Wildcat staff. Stanga credits Chico State with helping him become the person he is today.

John Holtby Hill was elected for the spring semester.

The special collections department of the Meriam Library will preserve the materials and have them on display. -- BA