Two time capsules have been created within the walls of Steinberg-Dietrich Hall -- but only one was ever buried. In 1981, during Steinberg-Dietrich's centennial celebration, Wharton faculty and students filled a box with "personal items," placed it in a sealed chamber and buried it underneath the building. Today the spot is commemorated with a plaque that reminds the University of the artifacts -- which will be uncovered in 2081 during the next Steinberg-Dietrich centennial celebration. Very few people know what items are contained in the centennial time capsule, but former Associate Wharton Dean Eric Van Merkensteijn described them as "a very creative deposit of materials." The centennial time capsule was buried with specific instructions and documents about the preservation of the artifacts. "Even if the entire Steinberg-Dietrich building would be torn down, the time capsule chamber cannot be touched," Van Merkensteijn said. "The capsule is a great representation of the 1980s and will hopefully communicate with the year 2081." Meanwhile, in the musty basement of the Graduate School of Social Work, a small, sealed container lies hidden and gathering dust. A second time capsule, built in 1988, has been waiting eight years to be buried -- and Social Work Professor Kenwyn Smith has been keeping a close eye on it. Before Wharton requirements changed, each Management 38 class was responsible for developing a class project involving some kind of organization. In 1988, the seniors in Smith's class formed a Management group to prepare a time capsule that they planned to unearth at their 25th reunion in 2013. During the class, the students formed committees, polled the senior class for suggested items to be included and sought funding from the Office of the President. Among the items chosen for the quarter-century interment were a course roster, articles from local and campus presses, a Quaker football jersey, a menu from Smokey Joe's and photographs of the campus. The Management 38 time capsule could not be buried for various reasons. A lack of University and personal permission to bury it were debilitating factors. The class did raise several hundred dollars toward its goal, but the year ended before the project could be finished. According to Smith, the class hoped to create a tradition for every class to bury a time capsule. "I have a great plan that right before their 25th reunion, I am going to run out and bury the capsule somewhere on campus," Smith said. "Then I can make it a game and give them clues as to where it's hidden. I hope it works out."
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