If you saw a giant frog in the sky on Friday night, it wasn’t some apocalyptic vision. It was part of Texas Christian University’s Drone Light Display, a free public event celebrating the university’s 150th anniversary.
The drone display capped off a week of celebrations kicking off the year-long series of events to celebrate the sesquicentennial.
“We’ll be having events throughout the year, but this was the first event more for the public,” Brad Thompson, TCU 150th project manager and director of student activities, said.
A graduation hat shape floats in the sky as TCU celebrated its sesquicentennial with a drone show on Jan. 27. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
A graduation hat shape floats in the sky as TCU celebrated its sesquicentennial with a drone show on Jan. 27. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
TCU celebrated its sesquicentennial with a drone show on Jan. 27. Students and alumni watched the show from the TCU Campus Commons as it read: “2022 Fiesta Bowl Champs”. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
TCU celebrated its sesquicentennial with a drone show on Jan. 27. Students and alumni watched the show from the TCU Campus Commons. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
TCU drone show on Jan. 27. (Bob Francis/Fort Worth Report)
With the drone display, Thompson said the anniversary committee was looking for a way to do something different.
“TCU is big on fireworks, but this was another way to celebrate,” he said.
TCU worked with a local company, Sky Elements LLC, to come up with the concept. The drone display consisted of over 200 drones that morphed into 12 different shapes throughout the 20-minute show. Among the images displayed were a horned frog, the TCU logo, the Frog fountain, the “frog” hand symbol and a “Riff Ram Bah Zoo” cheer. “Riff Ram Bah Zoo, Give ‘Em Hell, TCU” is considered one of the oldest cheers, dating back to at least 1905.
The show could be seen from several miles away, Thompson said.
“I’ve received a lot of comments, so it really created an impression,” he said.
Other events the week of Jan. 23 included a fine arts program, an immersive experience exhibit highlighting the school’s history and a TCU Night at the Rodeo.
Founded in 1873, TCU now has a total enrollment of 12,273, including 10,523 undergraduates and 1,750 graduate students.
Bob Francis is business editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at bob.francis@fortworthreport.org. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
Cristian ArguetaSoto is the community engagement journalist at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him by email or via Twitter. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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