RPI CELEBRATES PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE DURING BICENTENNIAL YEAR

TROY, N.Y. —  Continuing the year-long celebration of its Bicentennial, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute hosted a weekend of events bringing local communities together around shared achievements and excitement about what the future holds.

“It’s wonderful to see all our community members enjoying this special time with us,” said Martin A. Schmidt ’81, Ph.D., president of RPI. “Technological innovation and creativity play a starring role in the festivities. I hope that spirit inspires us to make our next century a time of vitality and growth for RPI, the Capital Region, and the nation.”

The weekend launched — literally — with the Bicentennial Drone Show, where 750 drones took to the night sky to tell the story of RPI’s past, present, and future with dazzling 3D images.

Thousands of onlookers watched in awe as the drones depicted RPI milestones from its 200-year history, including the Institute’s founding and the building of the Brooklyn Bridge; the installation of the IBM Quantum System One at RPI, the first ever deployed on any university campus; and the university’s contributions to space exploration and sustainability.

The weekend also included Rensselaereum, an exhibit of RPI’s history in the heart of Troy, New York. RPI was founded in Troy in 1824.

The Rensselaereum is a team-designed and curated exhibition by RPI students and the Institute Archives and Special Collections that serves as a material history of the Institute. Displayed in nearly 200 linear feet of storefront windows of the Chasan Building in downtown Troy, Rensselaereum will be on view 24 hours a day for six months.

The exhibit features items such as a hockey jersey worn during a championship season, a proposed model for EMPAC, and a greeting from NASA Astronaut and Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman ’97, who is leading America back to the moon in 2025.

On Monday, September 30, Space Science and Technology Day will showcase RPI’s space legacy and the Institute’s impact on humanity’s future space endeavors.

RPI has long been at the forefront of space exploration and discovery. RPI alumni lead missions to the moon and Mars; its faculty peer into the depths of the Milky Way and search for the origins of life; and its students are setting their sights on crossing the Kármán Line.

At RPI’s Space Science and Technology Day, that space legacy will meet the bright stars of its future. As part of RPI’s yearlong Bicentennial celebration honoring the Institute’s rich history and the exciting years to come, this event invites the community to hear from members of the RPI community propelling humanity’s space endeavors.

“We’ve all looked up at a starry night and wondered, what’s out there? Our researchers, students, and alumni work every day to answer that question,” Schmidt said.  “They are using their passion and dedication to help humankind, a true extension of our founding principal, first articulated 200 years ago, to apply science and technology to the common purposes of life.”

The event will feature inspiring talks from RPI alumni, including NASA Astronaut Rick Mastracchio ’87, veteran of three Space Shuttle missions and two ISS expeditions.

RPI’s Bicentennial celebration will continue with special events until the end of the year.

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About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute:

Founded in 1824 for the application of science to the common purposes of life, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the first technological research university in the United States. Today, it is recognized as a premier university, noted for its robust and holistic learning community that connects creativity with science and technology. RPI is dedicated to inventing for the future, from shaping the scientists, engineers, technologists, architects, and entrepreneurs who will define what’s next for humanity, to research that bridges disciplines to solve the world's toughest problems. Learn more at rpi.edu.

Contact: 

Samantha Murray

Senior Communications Specialist

murras7@rpi.edu

518-960-4051

For general inquiries: newsmedia@rpi.edu

Visit the Rensselaer research and discovery blog: https://everydaymatters.rpi.edu/

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RPI Celebrates Past, Present, and Future During Bicentennial Year

1. Various shots of Drone light show
2. Various Close up of drones before takeoff
3. B-roll of attendees and drones preparing for takeoff
4. Drone Show Narrator: [00:01:41] Today, as we light up the sky over the city with 750 drones to tell our story, we are advancing the legacy of exploration and creativity he began nearly two centuries ago. Our accomplishments over the past two centuries inspire us to push the boundaries of what's possible. As we continue to explore new horizons and shape the future through innovation and ingenuity.

5. Martin A. Schmidt 19th President, RPI: [00:02:14] You know, the thing that I've come to realize is that what we've been doing for the past year is really reflecting on RPI's history, 200 years of history, learning about the amazing accomplishments of many of our alumni. And I think it's inspirational for the students that are here today to think those folks got the same education that they're getting. And if they could do that, maybe I could do something cool too. So that's that's the secret, thing that's happening here. That's really exciting. I think what I want people to know is we are the first polytechnic institute in the United States, established in 1824, right here in Troy. Our birth occurred right in the center of the Industrial Revolution. We feel like we're gearing up for the next 200 years as we as we live through a quantum and AI revolution

6. Hayden Heroux, Freshman, RPI: [00:03:01] I think it's awesome. I've never been to a I never seen a drone show before. I've heard about them. They look really cool. And you'll see one in person, especially watching them all take off and land in a coordinated fashion. It was just awesome. I was like, you know, it's a good experience being able to work with people who know they have experience in the field and know their stuff. So working with people here, here at Sky Works it's just it was amazing. They're an amazing career and I'm happy to help them.

7. Michael Oatman, Professor, School of Architecture: [00:03:31] Rensselaereum is sort of Rensselaer meets museum. So this is a street side, pedestrian friendly, go at your own pace museum. And because they're windows that actually light up after sunset, it's kind of available 24/7.

8. Graeffn Anderson, 4th Yr. Architecture Student: [00:03:48] The Rensselaereum is an exploration of the school's history through the eyes of 14 different students. So each student chose their own topic for their window and explored the history of the school through that. So rather than going with a conventional timeline, we really looked at different aspects of the school and explored the history that way. It's really the vision of the school through the students eyes.

9. Naomi Gaylor, Junior, RPI: [00:04:12] I hope they take away the rich culture that RPI has, not only currently, but what we've built over the last 200 years, because personally, for me, this was a learning experience of the history that has gone into where we are now and what we can do in the future.

10. Carmella Mantello, Mayor, Troy NY: [00:04:29] RPI has been a cornerstone of innovation, education and progress in our city for over two centuries. It shaped generations of leaders, scientists, Ferris wheels, and even thinkers who have gone on to make a real impact on our world.

11. Various Shots of Rensslaereum
12. Various shots of speakers in front of Rensslaereum