Speech, opening of time capsule kick off anniversary week at Viking Union

The Viking Union celebrates its 50th birthday party kicked off Monday with a visit from Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike, who visited the Viking Union to proclaim Oct. 30 to Nov. 7 “Viking Union 50th Anniversary Week” in Bellingham. Pike also participated in the opening of the 1959 time capsule during the kickoff ceremony.

The VU, which opened in 1959, houses the Associated Students Board of Directors, a variety of Associated Students programs, the VU Gallery, KUGS and other offices and services of Western.

At the Nov. 2 Viking Union anniversary week kickoff ceremony Nov. 2, Western Washington University students Amy Arms, left, and Cindy Monger look at items placed in the original VU time capsule in 1959. Photo by Michael Leese | intern
Items from the 1959 Viking Union time capsule. Photo by Michael Leese | intern
VU reservationist Linda Bolinger, left, looks at items from the 1959 time capsule alongside students Cindy Monger, middle, and Amy Arms. Photo by Michael Leese | intern
Items placed in the 1959 Viking Union time capsule included a Willie Mays baseball card. Photo by Michael Leese | intern
Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike speaks at the opening ceremony for the Viking Union's 50th anniversary celebration week on Monday morning, Nov. 2.
Jim Schuster, director of VU facilities, shows an enlarged copy of a Dan Pike's entry in the Associated Students voters' pamphlet from during Pike's time as a student. Photo by Michael Leese | intern