Virtual Award’s Day “sir-prizes” students with parade and costumed faculty

As a semester of unprecedented challenge comes to a close, students, faculty and staff of the School of Architecture and Planning were treated to just that with “E-ward’s Day”, a virtual and fun-filled twist on the school’s annual celebration of student excellence.

Drawing thousands of viewers as it played “live” on Facebook last Friday, May 2, the hour-long virtual ceremony was veritable theater, complete with a cast of costumed characters and a parade delivery of prizes to student homes.

Conceived and produced by a team of faculty and staff led by Lindsay Romano, Gregory Delaney, Korydon Smith, and Randy Fernando, the program drew upon touchstones of the school’s annual Award’s Day, which regales students with confetti, prizes and good humor in a festive celebration of student excellence leading up to final reviews and exams.

Taking things up a notch, the team saw the opportunity for a fun film-making project, with a spy thriller theme. Consider the plot: a band of masked (of course) faculty and staff parading through the city and showing up at students’ homes with prizes.

Greg Delaney, clinical assistant professor of architecture, whose energetic emceeing of Award’s Day is a student favorite, took on the role of “Sir Prizes.” He led the parade and greeted each award-winning student with a flair of his cape, a tap of his cane and a tongue-in-cheek “surprise!”. At each stop, the sprightly “N. Cognito,” cloaked in a UB-blue plastic tablecloth, donning a black permed wig, and carrying a GoPro camera, dashed in and out of hiding to drop bags of UB swag off at the doorsteps of the award-winning students.

Five students – graduate students who have shown particular dedication this past semester as teaching assistants for undergraduate courses – received the personal awards presentation. The whole production was carried out at a safe distance.

Romano, who serves as manager of the school’s Fabrication Workshop, says the team drew its creative energy and inspiration from the students. “I think we have all learned a few valuable lessons over the past six weeks.  As we sit behind screens in our homes, we are reminded now more than ever that college isn’t just about academics, it’s about community, friendships, breaking out of comfort zones, and forever bonds. This year E-wards Day really showcased all of those amazing and important college experiences.”  

The doorstep-delivery of prizes was complemented in the final ceremony with a welcome from Dean Robert Shibley, and the presentation of the full slate of awards by urban planning chair Daniel B. Hess, and associate chair of architecture Joyce Hwang. 

In the end, nearly 60 students were recognized for their academic achievements, including the induction of 28 students into the Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society in Architecture and Allied Arts. Awards were presented at the school, departmental and degree levels in recognition of design excellence, studio performance, highest-achieved GPA, community engagement, and service to the school. Greg Hyatt of Hyatt’s All Things Creative presented the Hyatt’s Design Award. The company, where many students purchase their architectural supplies, has also sponsored the three $1,000 scholarships and 20 $100 gift cards for students.

Shibley said the event is testament to the resilience and strong sense of community that binds the school.

“These past seven weeks have tested us in ways we could never have imagined. E-wards Day – and the creative team that put it together – is another example of how we’ve pivoted, adapted and persevered. It was pure fun, all in honor of our students. We needed this.”

“With all the challenges this semester, and with how busy students, faculty, and staff have been, we debated canceling Awards Day,” says Korydon Smith, professor and chair of architecture. “Thankfully, the importance of recognizing student accomplishments, especially this year, won out. Providing a moment of levity was an added bonus. It was fun to plan, uplifting to carry out, and exciting to hear the reactions.”

MArch student Garima Gupta, who was among the five students to receive her award via parade, couldn’t stop smiling as she took in the surprise and familiar faces. “What a wonderful surprise. It was very sweet of everyone who took the time to be there. I loved it.”

The Architecture Graduate Student Association also presented the 2020 Gary Day Award, which honors an architecture faculty member for their leadership and dedication to students in and out of academic realm. Nicholas Rajkovich, assistant professor of architecture and director of the Resilient Buildings Lab, was honored for his dedicated teaching, support of student’s overall wellbeing, and for his service to the environment through his research on climate-resilient design and building.

Jenna Herbert, an MArch student who along with Courtney Vona virtually presented the Gary Day Award to Rajkovich on behalf of the ArchGSA, said the event brought the school together when they needed it most.

“Having awards day continue online meant so much to me as a student, but also as a TA for first-year studio. Seeing our freshman students experience their first awards day and continue to engage with everyone was reassuring, knowing they didn’t have to miss out on such a fun tradition.”

The final production further exemplified the team spirit and creative effort behind the project.

Randy Fernando, an alumnus of UB and adjunct faculty member, produced the hour-long video ceremony with spy thriller flair, featuring quick cuts, grainy black and white footage, and a jazzy James Bond-esque musical score.

MArch student Charles Wingfelder, later revealed to be N. Cognito, showed up to the parade expecting to help with filming. "Instead I was greeted with a box of props, including a poncho, sunglasses, and one very wild wig. I'm not usually one to play the clown, but it's a blast to let loose when your identity is so thoroughly obscured!"

A special cameo appearance was made in the final cut by architecture professor and dean emeritus Brian Carter, a native of Britain who, playing into the honorific title, offered a royal introduction of “Sir Prizes.”

“Hear ye, hear ye…all you architectural and planning subjects from UB, now ensconced in the new world and territories of home studios, closet offices, captured corners, kitchen counters and digital lands near and far, we send you a warm welcome and our most sincere greetings to all. We meet today for an announcement that comes to you from the gracious halls of Hayes. Behold at the strike of the Hayes bell [dong, dong], it hereby comes to pass that within these hallowed halls, will arise one Sir Prizes. I bid you rise…Sir Prizes.”

The Facebook event, which has been viewed by more than 3,500 people and has received hundreds of comments from faculty, students, staff, alumni, and friends of the school, can be viewed here.