Harlan Kirgan
The contents of a time capsule buried for 25 years on the LSUE campus were displayed Thursday at celebration in the Acadian Center.
The items included a Louisiana scratch-off ticket with a top prize of $30,000. Van Reed, director of public relations, scratched the 25-year-old ticket and reported it was a loser.
But it is doubtful if had been winner the lottery folks would pay off after 25 years.
The capsule also contained predictions from students and then Chancellor Michael Smith about what might happen in 25 years.
Some of those predictions were prescient, especially from engineering students.
John Leckey Gough, then 19 years old, wrote on Sept. 3, 1992, about an automobile that would have “... computerized nationwide maps built into the computer system on the car, anti-collision devices, organic waste fuel system, wear proof tires.”
Gough and William Peoples seem to have predicted smartphones.
Peoples said there would be “... a telephone that has a video screen on it and there will be a video camera on the bottom of the screen so you can see the other person you are talking to.”
The predictions prompted Donna Baltakis to ask, “Are these kids working for NASA now?”
In his Sept. 14, 1992, prediction Smith forecast that LSUE would double in size. Enrollment in 1992 was 2,870, and he thought it would be 8,870 on Sept. 14, 2017; there would be campuses in Eunice, Crowley, Opelousas, Ville Platte and Jennings; and the LSUE budget would grow from $7.9 million to $35.9 million.
The latest enrollment, reported Thursday, is 3,051. The only campus is at Eunice and the budget is about $23 million.
“In the year 2017 as in 1992, this institution will continue to be recognized for its openness, its accessibility, and its commitment to improving the lives of the citizens of Acadiana. Quality will continue to be its most distinguishing hallmark,” Smith wrote.
Reed said a paper in the capsule said no items were taken from it after Sept. 14, 1992, but there was a newspaper dated Sept. 15, 1992, inside.
A document stated the idea for the capsule came from Denise Foret, typist clerk and switchboard operator.
The 24-inch capsule made of drill casing was donated by D&R Welding of Eunice.
Chuck Johnson, superintendent of the physical plant, and his staff transformed the casing into a capsule
Ardoin’s Marble Works prepared the marker.
“The date on the note from the builders of the capsule said October 28, 1992. So I am guessing that it was actually sealed and put into the ground on or around October 28. I can’t find anything to back that up,” Reed wrote Friday.
Reed reported the following items were in the capsule, which was opened in April.
LSUE Frisbee.
Word Perfect Keycard Cards.
Note from the time capsule builders.
A plaque from the LSUE Society of Fire Protection Engineers (no longer exist).
A recommendation for the Mathematical Preparations of Teachers of Mathematics by the Math Faculty.
Photos and programs from the campus’ 25th Anniversary in September 1992.
A 1992 Academic Catalog.
A copy of the Daily World from September 15, 1992.
A copy of the Fall 1992 Class Schedule.
A couple of Toys (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Track and Field Leo, A Treasure Toll, Batman Returns Die-Cast Metal BatMobile).
A Cajun Triangle.
A program from LSUE Community Day’s Gospel Extravaganza April 4, 1992.
A script of the LSUE’s Drama Club’s production of Mark Twain’s The Diary of Adam and Eve.
A student nurse’s patch.
A world map.
A LSUE paper binder.
Three t-shirts (LSUE Silver Jubilee, LSUE Criminal Justice Society, and Cajun Prairie Preservation Society).
Predictions from the LSUE Engineering Class.
Three Video Tapes (Video of the LSUE Silver Jubilee Ceremony, Video of members of the Liberal Arts Faculty, and Video of KATC’s Good Morning live from Jean Lafitte National Park.) These will go on YouTube when I get a chance.