From the Nominator

This academic year holds great significance, as Arcadia marks 170 years since our founding in 1853. We strived to think big this year with our main homecoming evening event—elevating from a movie with fireworks to a "Light Up the Knight" festival on our green, culminating in a brand drone extravaganza. Guests received a glow wristband that synced colors to the beat of the evening’s musical entertainment, ending with a spectacular drone performance capturing the pioneering spirit from Beaver College days to Arcadia University. The concept depicted the strengths of the university's mission through drone formations representing global diversity, inclusion, science, arts, and health sciences. A rainbow of solidarity arched over the historical landmark of Grey Towers Castle transitioning into a paintbrush conjuring a strand of DNA, chemicals reacting in a beaker, and the snake spiraling up a Staff of Aesculapius to represent health sciences and more. The choreographed 150 drones danced to an original score that was synced to engage the audience, touching on the alma mater with a modern orchestra edge of technology. More than 750 registered to attend the event in person, which was an incredible increase in attendance from the movie the year before registering under 150. We were pleased to see the online engagement topped 289,000 viewers reached, and alumni posted their love for the institution and plan to attend the event next year.

From the Judges

Many of the panel members cited this as one of their favorite entries for its great use of budget dollars to create something elaborate, like a drone show. The judges also discussed how this model could be leveraged at other schools and the increased sustainability of something like a drone show over fireworks. The panel very much liked the student involvement, which highlighted the marriage of arts and technology.