A Glimpse into the Past

During the annual graduation barbecue for the Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine Class of 2025, a remarkable piece of history was unexpectedly brought to light. 

A time capsule, sealed by the Class of 2000, was discovered by Evan Starratt of the Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) office while organizing a storage room in the iconic Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building.

It was a chance find that turned into a memorable moment for the graduating class.

The unboxing, which was livestreamed on Instagram, featured the participation of current class co-presidents Ali Abidali and Alexie Ouellette, alongside Dr. Stephen Miller, Senior Associate Dean of Medical Education, and the current and former deans of medicine, Drs. David Anderson and Noni MacDonald.

“I was delighted and honoured to be the dean for the class of 2000, just as I am to be here today,” said Dr. MacDonald during the opening, who originally oversaw the capsule’s creation 25 years ago.

Inside the box were artifacts from the turn of the millennium: medical equipment, Dalhousie Medical Student Society materials, news clippings, and memorabilia that helped paint a picture of life at the medical school at the time. 

Among the standout items was a guestbook from the Tupper Building, beginning with the signature of the Queen Mother from its 1967 opening. A VHS tape of the 2000 Euphoria! performance—Dal Med’s annual variety show—also drew laughs and a sense of nostalgia from the crowd.

A Message from the Past

One of the most moving moments came when Alexie Ouellette read aloud excerpts from a letter written by Dr. MacDonald on behalf of the class to their future counterparts. The letter reflected pride, hope for the future, and a desire to leave an impact on those who would follow in their footsteps.

“The capsule contains items from students, faculty, and residents representing the turn of the century,” the letter read. “We were the first medical school in the country to offer a virtual tour that included stops at all teaching hospitals in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. We hope this inspires you to share a legacy of your own.”

The letter continued with a heartfelt message:

“This is a tangible connection with real people who, in the year 2000, studied, taught, conducted research, and administered and carried out the day-to-day functions of running a busy medical school. On behalf of all these people—best wishes from the year 2000.”

Alexie especially enjoyed looking through the materials and seeing familiar faces. “It was a reminder that although medical school has been challenging, the people who have taught us and the people we look up to were in our shoes at one point and one day we’ll be the ones who seem to have it all figured out!”

Reflections Across Time

Dr. Noni MacDonald shared a touching observation about the generational shift between the two classes.  “The Class of 2000 saw that moment in time as so pivotal—something worth marking,” she noted, referencing the turn of the millennium.”

“They were struck by the differences. It’s a reminder of how much changes, and how much stays the same—like life itself.”

Current co-president of the class agrees. “I really feel like the med school experience has been mostly the same over the years,” says Ali Abidali. “It was just cool to see us all share similar fond experiences.” 

Her reflections highlight the evolution of medical education at Dal and the spirit that connects generations of graduates.

The discovery and opening of the Class of 2000’s time capsule offered more than just a look at old equipment and memorabilia—it sparked conversations about how far medical education has come, and what values and traditions continue. 

As the Class of 2025 steps into their future, they do so with a new sense of connection to the past, and perhaps, the inspiration to leave a legacy of their own.

Watch the Moment

The full unboxing was captured and shared live on Instagram. You can watch it here.