It all started when the clock in the physics department kitchenette stopped working a couple of years ago. The space, which used to be the undergraduate lounge, is now where the Physics Department community grabs coffee or heats up lunch. While replacing the batteries, I noticed a hole in the wall behind the clock—and wedged inside it was a small Polaroid photo.

Curious, I pulled it out and immediately recognized the face in the picture: Victor Cannestro, a student who graduated in 2018 with a BA in Physics and a BS in Electrical Engineering. Victor is one of those unforgettable students—a regular visitor to the main office, always polite, funny, and someone who always had an interesting story to share or a thoughtful question to ask. During his time here, he was an active member of the Society of Physics Students (SPS), did research with the LHCb experimental particle group, and even received an award for academic excellence in his senior year.

But what was his photo doing hidden behind the clock?

I couldn’t resist reaching out to him, and I was fortunate to find him on LinkedIn. I sent him a picture of the Polaroid and explained how I stumbled across it while replacing the clock’s batteries. His reaction was one of surprise and amusement. “Oh wow!” he said. “That Polaroid was taken during my last year of school at a friend's apartment. I think I placed it behind the clock right before graduating as an Easter egg or time capsule for future students. I remember finding something behind the clock that a past physics student had left behind and decided to carry on the tradition.”

Discovering Victor’s photo brought part of the room’s history to life. It’s a reminder of the countless moment students have shared in that space over the years and the quirky connections that link us across time.

Traditions like this one remind us of the value in small, thoughtful gestures that bridge the past, present, and future. We hope students and other department members will continue to keep it alive — leaving their own marks for others to uncover and enjoy.

As for Victor now, life is going well. After graduating from SU, he went on to earn his MS from the University of Washington. After navigating some big decisions, he landed in Seattle, working as a software engineer for Starbucks. He married his college sweetheart from Syracuse, a joyful milestone he was excited to share.

I’ve decided to put the Polaroid back exactly where Victor left it, hoping that one day, another curious person will find it and maybe leave their own little Easter egg for the future.

It’s amazing what you’ll find when you go to change a battery—and even better when it comes with a story.