FVCC to bury 50th anniversary time capsule

by Mary Cloud Taylor Daily Inter Lake
| November 12, 2017 6:45 PM

Concluding its 50th anniversary celebration, Flathead Valley Community College will seal and bury a time capsule on Nov. 14, to be opened 50 years from now on the school’s 100th anniversary.

Items to be sealed inside the capsule include current uniforms for the cheerleading squad and basketball team, a picture of the college’s first graduate student, newspaper articles from the 50th anniversary and a letter written by one of the college’s first presidents, according to the college’s Director of Foundation Development Heidi Hickethier.

The full contents of the capsule are now on display at the college’s Arts and Technology building.

The items’ selection was a cooperative effort by the FVCC 50th anniversary committee, composed of college leadership, faculty and staff and members of the community.

A large metal trunk containing all the items will go into the ground somewhere on campus during a ceremony on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and will not be unearthed until 2067.

Bill McClaren, one of the college’s founders, and the school’s first class president Marlin Hansen will join current FVCC President Jane Karas and current class president Emily Baker in hosting the free public event.

The location of the capsule’s burial has yet to be announced.

Immediately following the sealing ceremony, FVCC will host its Alumni and Friends Fall Social on campus.

All FVCC students, alumni, supporters, friends and family members are invited to attend. Tickets to the social are $25 in advance or $30 at the door and include dinner, a no-host bar, live music by Dan Dubuque and a pie auction to raise money for student scholarships.

To purchase tickets to the Alumni and Friends Fall Social or for more information, visit https://www.fvcc.edu/event/alumni-friends-fall-social or contact Ben Deremiah at 406-756-3632 or bderemiah@fvcc.edu.

Over the next 50 years, Hickethier said, “We hope the community college continues to provide facilities and learning opportunities for students to prepare for the future.”