WINNIPEG, MB – Representatives from The University of Winnipeg today installed a time capsule in the cornerstone of Wesley Hall, to preserve a snapshot of contemporary life at UWinnipeg for future generations. It was placed where a 110-year time capsule was discovered in 2004, during stonework reconstruction.
Inside the sealed capsule is a cache of items that reflect the state of UWinnipeg in 2012, including:
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A letter from UWinnipeg President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Lloyd Axworthy
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Letters from UWinnipeg students
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A copy of The Uniter
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A copy of UWinnipeg’s 2012 Report to the Community
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A Wesmen t-shirt
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Labeled photos of the campus and events
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A submission from UWinnipeg’s Model School
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An item from UWinnipeg’s Global Welcome Centre
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Documents that represent UWinnipeg’s relationship with the surrounding Indigenous community.
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A list of faculty and staff donors who helped raise more than $5 million during a recent Campus Campaing
“The UWinnipeg community has changed dramatically over the decades. From our beginnings as Wesley College, Manitoba College and United College, to our recent transformation, we are now a very different place than we were even a decade ago,” said Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President and Vice-Chancellor. “Our student body has grown and become more diverse; our campus is undergoing a renaissance, and we are innovating and responding to the realities of an evolving educational landscape. We hope future generations will study the items we’ve left for them so they can gain an appreciation and understanding of UWinnipeg’s history.”
Artifacts discovered in the 1894 time capsule — which are housed in UWinnipeg’s Archives and Records Centre— include newspapers, coins, and documents related to the University. Among them was a Report of the Faculty to the Board of Directors of Wesley College, dated June 22,1894, and a list of subscribers to the Wesley College Building Fund, circa 1894.
UWinnipeg held a contest earlier this fall, inviting students to submit a letter for the time capsule. Two student letters were selected for inclusion. New UWinnipeg student Fartun Mohamed wrote to future generations: “It can be scary to be in a new place, and you might feel alone…If I could just give you one piece of advice it would be this; remember that there are friendly people out there and they will help you in any way they can!” She also expressed wonder about the future technology available to students 100 years from now.
UWinnipeg’s installation will be registered with the International Time Capsule Society and a record of the time capsule will be kept in the University Archives.
MEDIA CONTACT
Diane Poulin, Communications Officer, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca
