Diplomats Kase Kole and Giselle Cortes place the first ceremonial shovel with WCCD President Dr. Kathy Murphy during the WCCD America 250 time capsule ceremony.

Wallace Community College-Dothan (WCCD) celebrated America’s 250th anniversary with a Time Capsule Ceremony and America 250 cookouts held on the Wallace Campus in Dothan and the Sparks Campus in Eufaula.

The Time Capsule Ceremony brought together students, faculty, and staff to preserve a meaningful snapshot of WCCD in 2026. WCCD President Dr. Kathy Murphy delivered remarks before the commemorative time capsule was placed and sealed for future generations. Dr. Murphy and student representatives Kase Cole and Giselle Cortes participated in the ceremonial first shovels to mark the occasion.

The time capsule includes messages written by students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members, an annual report, press releases, College publications, current College data, and more. Many of the handwritten messages offer personal reflections, hopes, encouragement, and reminders of the lasting impact of education, service, and community.

As part of the time capsule, Dr. Murphy sealed a heartfelt message to future generations centered on faith, freedom, courage, unity, and service. Drawing inspiration from the nation’s founding documents and enduring symbols, her letter encourages those who one day open the capsule to remember the sacrifices that secured liberty, cherish the blessings of freedom, choose unity over division, and leave a legacy of kindness and hope for those who follow.

“May you always respect life, celebrate liberty, and embrace the happiness that comes in loving and serving others,” Dr. Murphy wrote.

The capsule is intended to be opened again in celebration of America’s 300^th birthday in 2076.

Following the ceremony, WCCD students and staff gathered for America 250 cookouts on both campuses. The cookouts were sponsored by Goodwyn Mills & Cawood and featured food, fellowship, patriotic décor, and photo opportunities in celebration of the nation’s milestone anniversary.

The ceremony and time capsule were part of Wallace’s yearlong America 250 celebration, which brought students, employees, and community members together through service, history, education, and campus traditions. Activities included a highway cleanup, a food drive that provided nearly 300 meals for local families, presentations on Revolutionary War history in the Wiregrass region, patriotic campus events, a screening of Hamilton, and opportunities for students, employees, alumni, and community members to share Messages to the Future.