By MATT PIKE
Missouri Western State University celebrated Founder's Day in a special way this year, honoring the history of the University by opening a time capsule buried in 1990.
Founder’s Day commemorates September 20th, 1915, the first day of classes at St. Joseph Junior College. The college was later renamed Missouri Western Junior College, then Missouri Western College, Missouri Western State College, and finally Missouri Western State University in 2005. The unveiled time capsule was buried in 1990 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first class of students graduating from MoWest after it became a four-year college.
Administrative Coordinator for the college of business and professional studies Kathy Kelly has had the map to the time capsule for some time now, after being unable to open it in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic, waiting for the right time to unbury it and search whats inside.
Kelly says its exciting to finally have a part of history out on display, during the celebration of Founders Day
"When I found out they were doing the Founders Day, I called (Director of Strategic Communications Marketing and Communications) Liby (Waltemath) and said I got this time capsule, we've got to get it opened, and she was all for it and we did the work and got it out here," Kelly tells KFEQ/St Joseph Post. "Thrilled to have a part of history displayed."
The time capsule was initially located behind Eder Hall, but had to be moved several years later to make room for the construction of Murphy Hall. Dean of the College of Business and Professional Studies Suzanne Kissock says this was the perfect opportunity to reveal the time capsule.
"Going through the items confirms and validates our belief that the same commitment to higher education in your community existed, we're just continuing the legacy of these wonderful individuals," Kissock says.
University President Lenny Klaver says he's enjoyed learning the history of MoWest through this event, and like each speaker that spoke during the Founders Day event, sees parallels to what used to be and what the university is now.
"When you take the origin of the campus and the purpose it was formed for, that has carried through all the way, open access to education, education for all, education that serves a diverse population whether that's age, race, social class, whatever it might be" Klaver says. "This is a place for learning where we can be one homogeneous group of learners and scholars."
The celebration on Monday kicked off a series of events. Throughout the week, in the library, students can explore historical exhibits and help identify Griffons in past photos.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.