On Tuesday, April 7, BYU hosted its 150 Time Capsule Packing Party at Brigham Square, where Brigham Young University President C. Shane Reese and Advancement Vice President Keith Vorkink filled the capsule with BYU memorabilia.
The prior 50-year-old centennial time capsule was unveiled on October 16, where items included a tape measure, a gavel and a BYU centennial flag from 1975. On April 7, President Reese packed the capsule back up for BYU’s bicentennial in 2075.
BYU faculty and staff took recommendations for what to put in the capsule. Vice president Vorkink stated that he was impressed with what people thought of.
“This campus community did an amazing job. I would describe your work in giving us ideas as ‘A-game,'” Vorkink said.
The first item to enter the capsule was a roll of pennies from the BYU financial services vault. President Reese reflected that this was an important item, as the United States Mint has recently stopped penny production.
The capsule packing party continued, featuring several items, including a cursive note written by student life vice president Julie Franklin, UNIV 101 course textbooks and a diploma signed by Karl G. Maeser. The capsule was also filled with BYU 150 swag, including a sesquicentennial T-shirt, scarf and pin.
President Reese also packed a printed copy of President Dallin H. Oaks’ February 2026 BYU devotional. He then highlighted a couple of BYU athletes who represent the university.
“One area that we thought should also be represented in the time capsule is our athletics area,” Reese said. “We have a couple of athletes that really represent the best of BYU athletics that are going to help us in doing that.”
He first invited BYU cross country and track runner Jane Hedengren to the stage. Hedengren contributed a jersey and the bib that she wore while winning nationals.
“I’m just so grateful to be here at this university and getting to represent a small part of what we’re doing here,” Hedengren said.
President Reese also invited basketball player Richie Saunders to the stage to contribute his basketball jersey to the capsule. Saunders joked that the idea of a time capsule being opened in 50 years freaked him out.
“When I first got the text that this was happening, it kind of gave me a weird feeling of, ‘I’m going to be 75 or 74,’” Saunders said.
Saunders also remarked that the past time capsule had included a jersey from Gifford Nielsen, a former BYU quarterback who is an Emeritus General Authority for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“I look up to him, and now he’s a General Authority,” Saunders said. “I don’t know if that’s my trajectory, but I guess it’s just an honor to be up here and to be a part of it.”
Before the packing party ended, President Reese took off one of his shoes to add it to the capsule. Just before placing it in, someone from the audience suggested that he sign it.
“I’m going to be walking around all day with one shoe, but you've got to do it, right?” Reese said.
President Reese announced that the time capsule won’t be placed in the ASB until construction is complete in three years. Until that time, students and faculty will have the opportunity to contribute their own suggestions and memorabilia to the capsule.
“Pay attention to messaging that will come out with additional ways that can help you be a part of the time capsule for the bicentennial (capsule),” President Reese said.
Some attendees and students in the audience have already brainstormed new items to place in the capsule. BYU student Hayden Madsen suggested another athletics jersey.
“I maybe would have put in an AJ Dybansta jersey,” Madsen said. “He’s an athlete that BYU hasn’t really seen before, so it would be cool.”
Similarly, BYU student Chris West wants to see more athletic apparel added.
“I think I would have put a football helmet or something like that,” West said. “A Pop-Tarts Bowl helmet would have been the perfect thing to put in there.”
Despite the additional suggestions, students, like Madsen and West, remarked that it was an exciting event. For upcoming BYU 150 celebrations, check the website.
