From the Nominator

To support the launch of the University of Dayton’s (UD's) first comprehensive campaign in nearly 20 years, we set out to create a video, from concept to completion, that is uniquely UD. Our video showcases the talents of our alumni, students, faculty, and staff. The marketing and communications team collaborated with a student group, The Common Good Players, and their advisor to explore their perspectives on what the university means to them and their hopes for a future UD. Through improv sessions, keywords began to emerge, and we saw the shadow of a script forming. The advisor took it a step further by shaping the words into a poem. After months of tweaks and edits from our team, the poem turned into the final script, and two students recorded the spoken word. The video shows iconic UD imagery to elicit alumni nostalgia. Prominent alumni and Dayton community members are featured. And weaving in “of Dayton” shows our pride in our local community and our Flyers. A recent music alumnus composed the score, which provided the backdrop for the spoken word. The video was filmed and produced in-house by UD’s media production group. After 15 months of work, the video debuted April 19, 2023, in front of a live audience. It was also live-streamed from the new microsite to alumni communities nationwide and to our students on campus. In addition, the video was pushed on UD’s social platforms to celebrate the public launch of the campaign. The crowd erupted in cheers and tears at the conclusion.

From the Judges

The "We Soar" video is an authentic tribute to the University of Dayton’s legacy. Crafted collaboratively, it intertwines spoken word, iconic imagery, and a soul-stirring performance. This emotional masterpiece resonates with alumni, faculty, and students, bridging generations and reinforcing shared pride.