Gritty Award Goes to AV Student Install Team
Overcoming construction delays for a big win!
When summer renovations run into unforeseen delays, the push to prepare campus for the Fall semester becomes a high-stakes race against the clock. That was precisely the challenge facing DoIT’s own AV Design & Engineering, including the Student Installation Team, as they prepared to transform the classroom technology systems in three registrar classrooms in Math/Psychology (MP) 008, 010, and 012.
The scope of the project was massive, calling for a complete overhaul including new flooring, walls, ceilings, and electrical infrastructure. To configure, mount, and rigorously test the new audiovisual systems, the AV team originally requested a standard two-week window following completion of the general construction. The student team was responsible for installing displays, mounting projectors, video cameras, ceiling microphones, pulling cable in the ceiling and walls, and wiring and configuring all devices in the rack - while still allowing the AV Design team enough time to complete programming and system commissioning. However, contractor scheduling issues threw a curveball into the plan: just two weeks before the start of classes, the rooms remained significantly unfinished. The team was met with unpainted walls, open ceilings, uninstalled lighting, and incomplete flooring. With back-to-back classes already booked in all three spaces for the first day of the semester, delaying the installation was not an option.
Enter the amazing student AV Installation Team: Ethan Au, Matt Christensen, Ethan Grefe, and Isaac De Silva.
Rising to the challenge, the student installation team adapted immediately. They worked tirelessly beside, over, and under various construction trades, installing critical AV infrastructure and technology concurrently with active building tasks. Operating in an environment far outside their normal working conditions, the team navigated a gauntlet of obstacles—from thick drywall dust, wet paint, low lighting, and even the occasional tornado warning.
Through it all, Ethan, Matt, Ethan, and Isaac prioritized safety and flexibility without compromising on quality or efficiency. Thanks to their resilience and extraordinary work ethic, all three classrooms were fully operational and ready for instruction on the first day of classes, ensuring a smooth start to the semester for faculty and students.
Please join us in recognizing and celebrating the AV Student Installation Team for going above and beyond expectations to keep our campus running smoothly!
About the DoIT Gritty Award
The Gritty Award recognizes outstanding work within the Division and beyond. Full-time employees, student employees, and teams are all eligible. Do you know someone going above and beyond? Complete the Gritty Nomination Form today!
The first draft of this article was generated by GenAI and edited by the Communications Team.