Somewhere on the Carl Sandburg College campus is a letter written in 1976 by a student trustee, describing what life was like as a Sandburg student in the mid-1970s. Nobody has read it in 50 years.
That changes Sept. 24, when the college opens a time capsule sealed during its 10th anniversary and marks 60 years since its founding. It caps a busy three-week stretch that starts this weekend with the college’s annual car show.
Emma Smith, student engagement specialist, and Genny Stevens, director of student engagement and leadership, joined Galesburg’s Morning News to walk through all three events.
Emma Smith and Genny Stevens joined Galesburg’s Morning News on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. Listen to the full interview below.
Car show moves to September
The Sandburg car show, which has run for nearly 30 years, is set for Sunday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the A Building parking lot on the Galesburg campus. It is free for exhibitors and spectators alike, and open to all makes, models and years.
The event traditionally ran in May. Smith said the college moved it to September to avoid the crush around graduation and to bring more energy to campus early in the academic year.
The college’s Auto Club has historically managed the show, with Student Life stepping in to help this year. Smith said roughly 150 vehicles turned out last year, and organizers are hoping to match or beat that. Registered exhibitors so far include classic and vintage cars, motorcycles and newer vehicles.
The first 100 exhibitors to show up receive a free car badge. Exhibitors also get a swag bag with Sandburg gear, and custom car show T-shirts will be for sale on site. Food trucks scheduled include Carnival Delights, Coal Haus 337 mobile wood-fired pizza and Big Catz BBQ.
Exhibitors can pre-register through a form on the college’s website and Facebook page, or simply show up the day of the show.
Third annual run honors Coach Rodney Blue
The third annual Coach Rodney Blue Charitable Run is set for 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, on the Galesburg campus. Blue coached cross country at Sandburg from 2015 until his death in 2024.
“Everyone knew Coach Blue, whether you were on campus at Sandburg or part of his many community people out in Galesburg and around the area,” Stevens said. “He was always a person that was smiling, ready to give you a high five and hype you up. It was infectious to be around him. You couldn’t help but smile.”
Blue kept that up through his illness, Stevens said.
“He fought to the very end and he was still smiling,” she said. “He was still just waving and smiling and just loved seeing everyone around him.”
The run is non-competitive, with 1K and 5K options, and organizers say any pace is welcome. The route starts at the Science and Technology Center drive, heads out the bus lane to the Log City Trail toward Fremont Street, hits a halfway turnaround and comes back to campus. A breakfast and fellowship hour follows.
Entry is $30 for ages 13 and up, $20 for 12 and under, and free for current Sandburg students. T-shirts on site feature Blue’s famous high five.
All proceeds go to the Coach Rodney Blue Cross Country Team Fund, which has raised more than $15,000 since the run began. Registration is available at sandburgchargers.com.
Founder’s Day and the 1976 time capsule
Carl Sandburg College was established Sept. 24, 1966. Sixty years later to the day, the college will open the capsule sealed for its 10th anniversary.
Organizers already know some of what’s inside. Stevens said the capsule holds a letter from the faculty representative of that era, laying out their hopes for the future and describing what had happened during Sandburg’s first decade, along with the student trustee’s letter about student life at the time.
Founder’s Day runs from 3 to 4 p.m. Sept. 24 in the Graham Health System Science & Technology Center Atrium. It is open to the public, with no RSVP or registration required, and refreshments and cupcakes will be served. Stevens said students, employees, retirees and alumni are all invited, and that some of the sealed letters will be read aloud.
After the opening, the college plans to spend the coming year collecting items representing Sandburg in 2026, then reseal the capsule for a future generation.
Stevens said the anniversary year has more in store, including a recently unveiled new mascot and construction underway on the new Charger Center.
For more information on Founder’s Day, contact Genny Stevens in Student Life at gstevens@sandburg.edu.
