The Auburn student experience is like no other. Generations of students have walked Auburn’s campus and created a shared experience known throughout the state and nation. But until recently, this experience was not available to students with intellectual disabilities. Auburn University’s Education to Accomplish Growth in Life Experiences for Success (EAGLES) program has changed this.
Because the first cohort of EAGLES students was due to graduate in May of 2020—in the middle of the pandemic—their plans to walk across the stage in a graduation ceremony had to be canceled. Nevertheless, their achievements were no less worthy of recognition. The program director wished to create a video that would celebrate this moment in the lives of these young people, and tie it to the impact of donor giving. By using unscripted, spontaneous home videos, we were able to create an authentic experience that allowed the viewer to participate in the joy of the moment. In this case, the strictures of COVID-19 actually created an opportunity donors would not otherwise have had: to see firsthand the joy on EAGLES students’ faces.
From the Judges
We loved the respectful and authentic approach of this video, sharing with donors the direct and joyful impact of their giving. We liked how it is focused entirely on the people (not the institution), and its unfiltered lens. Clearly very motivating (resulted in a $100K gift) and cost effective. Bravo!
