“Leaving our Footprints Behind” was the theme of a twilight time capsule ceremony that paid homage to founders, Thomas Gibbs and Thomas Desalle Tucker.
As a part of Founders Week, student government officials, students and a portion of the Marching 100 gathered around the eternal flame Wednesday to celebrate the 115 years of “Excellence With Caring.”
“I think it’s a great way to celebrate the founding of FAMU,” said Erica Bradley, 20, a junior accounting student from Dade City.
Larry Rivers, 21, a senior broadcast journalism student from Tallahassee, gave a rousing speech of “standing on the shoulders of giants” and their creation of “an institution that lifted up the spirit.”
“This college was born into slum, but Rattlers, the slum was not born into us,” he said.
Student Government Association Vice President Tisa Holly urged students to appreciate parking problems and financial aid because there was a time when students had to walk to school and fight to get financial aid.
Holly placed the first item, a bible into a box used to collect what will go into the time capsule. Students then followed donating rattler cards, photo IDs, CDs of the Marching 100.
Holly then closed her portion with the poem Footprints in the sand.
Ada Burnette, a professor of educational leadership and the president of the faculty senate spoke highly of founders, Gibbs and Tucker, who “sat at the feet of learned scholars.”
SGA President Andre Hammel gave closing remarks.
“Hard work isn’t always in vain,” he said. “Make the best of your situations. Don’t let them define you.”
Boxes will be located in the SGA office as well as in the Black Archives. Students or faculty wishing to place something into the capsule may do so until Oct. 11. The capsule will be opened in 50 years.