Brigham Young University hosted a party on April 7 to pack a time capsule that will be opened in 2075 for the university's 200th anniversary.
C. Shane Reese, president of BYU, and Keith Vorkink, the advancement vice president, opened the proceedings by welcoming students with videos commemorating the university's sesquicentennial celebrations throughout the past year.
President Reese and vice president Vorkink placed a variety of memorabilia into the time capsule. Many commemorative tokens were suggested by students or were chosen to represent historic events that took place — on campus and around the country — during the past year.
Rolls of pennies, a Stanley drinking tumbler, commemorative BYU 150 apparel and one of President Reese's iconic sneakers made it into the capsule. Other items included sheets of cursive handwriting and an iPhone.
A copy of a devotional given by Dallin H. Oaks, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and former president of BYU, was also placed in the time capsule.
President Reese and vice president Vorkink also invited Jane Hedengren, a BYU women's cross country champion, to the stage. She contributed her jersey to the capsule and emphasized her excitement to represent BYU.
"It's pretty incredible," Hedengren said. "I'm just so grateful to be here at this university and (that I get) to represent a small part of what we're doing here."
Richie Saunders, a BYU men's basketball team star, was also invited to put his jersey in the capsule.
"This is an amazing university and I've loved, absolutely loved my time being in front of you guys and getting to know so many of you guys," he said.
Daniel Olsen, a freshman who attended the packing party, felt that the event was a meaningful way to honor the university and the people it serves, he said.
"It was really cool," Olsen said. "We're making history. I'm excited. Hopefully I can be here in fifty years to see al these things be unpacked again."
The event also held spiritual significance for Olsen.
"It takes me back to the end of the Book of Mormon," he said. "Moroni, he exhorts us to remember what great things the Lord has done for us, and preserving these physical items, it really helps us to remember what the Lord has done for us."
Alissa Lines, the administrative assistant to the Managing Director of Alumni and External Relations at BYU, helped plan the party. Getting to work on some of the sesquicentennial celebrations has shown her how much faculty and administrators love their students.
"I don't know if the students understand how much the staff and faculty love them and are really cheering all of you guys on for everything in your futures," Lines said. "And, the world is bright. Even though there's a lot of commotion, I think there's so much positivity happening right now."
The time capsule will be sealed and ultimately placed in the new administrative building when construction is complete.
It will be opened in 50 years when BYU celebrates its bicentennial anniversary.