By Logan McHenry
Lamp Staff
SPRINGFIELD — After 25 years, Lincoln Land students unearthed part of the college’s past and got a glimpse of what life was like at the school in 1993.
Inside they found: a VHS tape, old newspapers, photos, shirts, and other memorabilia were unearthed on Feb. 18. They had been buried 25 years prior by the Phi Theta Kappa, the college’s honor society, as part of the 25th anniversary of the college.
Lincoln Land Community College celebrated its 50th anniversary on Feb. 18, 2017, the day the college was officially created. Part of the Founders’ Day celebration included digging up a time capsule that was buried exactly 25 years ago on the 25th anniversary of the college’s existence.
This event has been performed by the Alpha Epsilon Kappa chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, which is the chapter that is involved with Lincoln Land. It was first buried in 1993 and will be reburied after Saturday’s celebration. It will then be dug up again on the 75th anniversary in 2042.
Multiple items will be retrieved from 25 years ago while other items will be buried for 25 years in the future.
One item that was retrieved was a letter with various questions about how life was at this time was. The very last question, oddly enough, was: “Are Cub fans still saying ‘wait until next year.’” It is funny how they just won the World Series in 2016.
Another item found was a picture of some of the members of the 1993 chapter that attended the International Convention in Dallas, Texas.
A VHS video of WICS TV news from Sept. 22, 1993, was also found. It talked about some terrible 1993 floods and there was a weather report done by Gus Gordon, who is the husband of faculty adviser, Claire Gordon.
“It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago, but when we got to see the contents, they had a VHS tape in there, which was crazy because I haven’t seen one of those in so long,” said Catherine Wittler, the vice president of Alpha Epsilon Kappa.
“My sense is that Alpha Epsilon Kappa has created a tradition that will go on at Lincoln Land for many generations,” stated Don Ecklund, who is a Phi Theta Kappa advisor at Lincoln Land.
Multiple items were to be put in the time capsule to be reintroduced in 25 years when the time capsule was next dug up. Some of the items being added are a copy of the Lamp and Lump newspapers, a cellphone, and a photo of the chapter officers and members.
“I think it’s important to keep doing it because it shows people to appreciate their time at Lincoln Land and also reminds us that there were people here before us building up the programs that we enjoy and learn from today,” said Catherine Wittler as she thinks about how things have changed over the years.
Everyone should mark their calendars for 2042 in which the time capsule will be retrieved once again.
“I think it’s exciting to see what I’ll be doing when 2042 comes around. Hopefully, I can come back to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the college,” said Gina Suszko, the public relations officer.
Logan McHenry can be reached at [email protected]
