AIC student Giovanna Worthy spearheaded a time capsule project to commemorate the college’s 140th anniversary.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
SPRINGFIELD — There are few ways to mark the passage of time that capture the imagination quite like a time capsule. Cracking open a container to see long-hidden items from years past carries the excitement of possibility.
At American International College, students, faculty and members of the community gathered to create one of these moments of discovery for the future.
This year is the 140th anniversary of the founding American International College. It was chartered by the state, specifically to educate immigrants who had recently arrived in the country. The college has since expanded, and now more than 2,000 students are enrolled in four year programs in business, arts and sciences, education and health sciences.
The college’s Student Life Department wanted to organize a commemorative event, something that would honor the college’s past, while looking to the future. Ultimately, they decided to create a time capsule.
The organizers hosted a time capsule sealing ceremony on Nov. 19 in the West Wing Gallery of the Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center.
The Student Life Department began by including items that reflected the college’s various student organizations. Then they reached out to other departments, alumni, staff and faculty. The library donated a stamp and pamphlets. People gave photos, pins and even a graduate’s ceremonial stole.
“There really wasn’t a lot of criteria,” said student Giovanna Worthy, who spearheaded the project. All items were welcome that reflected life at AIC, “had sentimental value” and could fit in the time capsule, a 2-foot-square, 18-inch-wide locking case. “Some of it is from when we were at the height of COVID,” Worthy said of the coronavirus pandemic.
Rather than being buried outside, where it would be vulnerable to the elements, the time capsule will be given a place of honor in the gallery, where a section of the room is decorated with pieces of AIC history and memorabilia as part of the college’s “We are AIC” project. In 2035, the time capsule will be opened for the college’s 150th anniversary.
“When we get to 150 years, we’ll be able to celebrate this moment in time,” Worthy. I’m just so happy to be a part of this project that so many people came out to contribute to it, being part of this legacy of AIC.”
