From the Nominator

Texas A&M's College of Engineering raised an unprecedented $75 million toward the transformation of the beloved Zachry Engineering Building. The new, expanded 500,000-plus square foot complex rethinks teaching by adapting to the needs of a digital native generation. For the building dedication, we wanted to underscore the embodiment of transformation with all collateral, and especially, with a gift for the 70-plus donors honored during a building dedication luncheon. Rather than provide the traditional plaque, paperweight, or other expected recognition piece, we wanted to create a keepsake that would be unique, memorable, evergreen, and personalized. We produced customized video cards for each donor in a highly-branded keepsake box. Upon opening the rechargeable video card, a customized video begins with our engineering students delivering a custom message specific to the donor about how his/her gift is impacting their education.

From the Judges

The committee appreciated the connection the project made between the past and the present—evident in the renovation of the engineering school building, the relationship of alumni to current students, the transition from traditional modes of teaching engineering to meet the needs of digital natives.

We liked that Texas A&M prepared a video as part of their submission. It helped the judges to more fully evaluate the submission and made it stand out from the other entries. We felt that the approximate cost per piece yielded an amazing, well-executed, personalized gift for their donors.