Best of CASE District VII Award
 

Institution: University of California, Merced

Title of entry: 20th Anniversary Kickoff and Fiat Lux Drone Show

About this entry: To mark our 20th anniversary, UC Merced hosted a campus wide celebration bringing together students, alumni, donors and community members to mark the milestone and reflect on two decades of growth and impact since the university opened in 2005.

The evening kicked off with a community tailgate featuring food trucks, music and performances by campus groups. The celebration coincided with UC Merced’s home opening game and transition to NCAA Division II athletics, highlighting another important milestone. During halftime, university leaders and the donors announced a $5 million gift from the Campos Foundation supporting development of a new track and field facility - planned to be named Campos Field - and scholarships for STEM students and scholar-athletes.

The evening culminated in a story-driven drone light show entitled “Fiat Lux”, Latin for “Let there be light” and the University of California’s motto that illuminated the night sky above the stadium. Set to music and narration, synchronized drones created a visual showcase of UC Merced’s history, tracing the university’s journey from the grassroots Central Valley campaign that secured the campus to the selection of the Golden Bobcat mascot, the opening of the university in 2005, and the growth of a thriving alumni network. Animated formations highlighted major milestones, including UC Merced’s rise as an R1 research institution, national recognition for social mobility, and transition to NCAA DII athletics. The show concluded with a glowing “20,” the UC Merced logo and other iconic images symbolizing both the university’s first two decades and the bright future ahead.