North Central Missouri College Marks History with Time Capsule Burial Ceremony

NEWS RELEASE provided by Kristi Harris, Chief of Staff-NCMC

North Central Missouri College gathered students, employees, trustees, alumni, and community members on September 8 for a Time Capsule Burial Ceremony at Shakespeare's Rock on the college's Main Campus in Trenton.

The ceremony celebrated the preservation of a snapshot of campus life and the surrounding community for future generations. Attendees heard remarks from NCMC Board of Trustees President Diane Lowrey, Student Senate President Crista Perry, and Interim President Dr. Jamie Hooyman, who reflected on the college's history, accomplishments, and vision for the future.

Before the capsule was sealed and buried, guests had the opportunity to view a collection of items that captured the spirit of the college's centennial year and sign a table runner that will also be placed in the capsule.

The ceremony followed the opening of the college's previous time capsule during North Central Missouri College's Centennial Celebration in September 2025.

Board of Trustees President Diane Lowrey said, "As we close out our centennial year, we celebrate 100 years of success by preserving a piece of our history for future generations to discover. This time capsule contains memories, achievements, and traditions that tell the story of North Central Missouri College's first century, while symbolizing our commitment to the next century of student success."

Crista Perry, Student Senate President, said, “To the students who eventually open this capsule, I hope you take a moment to appreciate that you’re now part of a history that started long before you got here. And I hope you add something of your own to it. We have no idea what NCMC will look like 25, 50, or 100 years from now. But whatever it looks like, I hope students are still coming here, finding their people, figuring out their futures, and making memories along the way. So, as we put away a little piece of 2026, we’re also leaving behind a little piece of our time here.”

Interim President Dr. Jamie Hooyman said, “When this time capsule is eventually opened, I hope those who gather here will not simply see a collection of objects from our time. I hope they will see a reflection of who we were, what we valued, what we accomplished, and what we dreamed was possible. Most of all, I hope they will recognize that they, too, are part of a much larger story; a story that began long before us and will continue long after us.”

The time capsule includes a variety of artifacts representing the college's centennial celebration and campus life in 2025-26, including:

• Centennial Desk Flag
• Business card from College President, Dr. Lenny Klaver
• Pirate Head and Anchor stickers
• Resource Center “Zines” from the Savannah Campus
• 3-D printed Trenton Tessie
• Centennial logo magnet & sticker
• Glow bracelet
• Squishy Patch
• Foam baseball
• 2025 quarter and penny
• Button with centennial logo
• Centennial Christmas Ornament
• Lapel pins
• Glow-in-the-dark silicone bracelet
• Coloring sheets from the winners of the centennial celebration coloring contest
• TRiO Works button
• TRiO/Upward Bound cinch sack & lanyard
• Child-size Pirate sweatshirt
• NCMC Water Bottle
• Centennial Table Runner signed by those in attendance at the burial of the new time capsule
• Printed materials

o   Calendar of Events for the year and history of the NCMC Bell

o   2025 Convocation program

o   Letter to TJC/NCMC Alumni regarding the centennial and upcoming celebrations

o   NCMC Walking Tour rack card

o   Program from the 2025 Scholarship Reception

o   Invitation and program from the 2026 Pirates Ball

o   Save-the-date and invitation

o   Rack card with information about the creation of the NCMC Mace

o   Programs from the 2026 Commencement ceremonies

o   Photo of the 2026 Trenton Nursing Staff (The Semester of Babies)

o   External hard drive containing pictures and documents from throughout the centennial year.

§  Letter from former NCMC President, Dr. Lenny Klaver

§  Letter from interim NCMC President, Dr. Jamie Hooyman

§  Letter from 2025-26 NCMC Student Senate President, Tailer Morrison

§  Letter from 2026-27 NCMC Student Senate President, Crista Perry

§  2025-2026 College Catalog

§  Welcome Aboard – Viewbook for new/prospective students

§  Centennial Time Capsule Photos

§  Student Org Photos

§  2025-2026 Sports Teams

§  SMSTA – 2025 Missouri Day Parade

§  Trenton ADN Student Nurses’ Association Officers

§  Trenton PN Student Nurses’ Association

§  2026 Commencement Ceremonies

§  Centennial Photos from various events

The newly buried capsule is scheduled to remain sealed until September 2050, when students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members will have the opportunity to discover the memories and artifacts preserved inside.

The Time Capsule Burial Ceremony highlighted the college's commitment to honoring its heritage while looking toward the future, ensuring that future generations will have a meaningful connection to the people and experiences that shaped NCMC in 2026.

Photo: Interim President Dr. Jamie Hooyman and Student Senate President Crista Perry closing the time capsule for burial