This year’s honourees included 24 notable alumni
USA - The University of Tennessee in Knoxville held its annual celebration of alumni at 2022 Alumni Awards Gala, and Bandit Lites donated a lighting system for the event which honours alumni across the state, country and world who bring recognition to Tennessee’s flagship campus. This year’s honourees included 24 notable alumni including Samuel E. Beall II, Tamika Catchings, Sara Croley, Donald E. Frieson, Ronald Earl Frieson and Sharon G. Lee. Bandit Lites founder Michael T. Strickland was honoured with this award in 2021.
To set the tone and ambiance for the room, Bandit supplied an upstage and downstage truss loaded with 44 GLP X4S, 8 VL 2500 Spots and 2 VL 3000 Spots. The GLP X4S fixtures were used in part to light the stage while most of them washed the ceiling in colours. The VL 2500 cast gobo patterns on the ceiling and walls, while the 3000s had custom Power-T alumni logos to project on the custom Spandex triangles hung behind the stage as a backdrop.
“Working with the team at Bandit Lites is a joy,” said Mallorie Mendence, senior director of events and marketing at the Office of Alumni Relations. “They are so helpful with planning and excellent at execution. The lighting that they provide at our events takes the event to the next level. Bandit is a trusted partner, and we are grateful to work with them.”
Four 20ft truss towers flanked the stage with GLP X4S and VL 2500 Spots, adding to the ceiling illumination and up lighting the backdrops.
“Around the room we placed 80 Chauvet Freedom Pars to up-light the walls,” finished Giff Swart, project manager for Bandit Lites. “These were controlled by a FlareCON unit attached to the downstage truss, and a Road Hog 3 was used to control the lights. We utilised a complementary colour palette which fits with the décor but provides the feel and beauty we are known for.”
“Bandit is proud and honoured to give back to The University of Tennessee in any way we can,” said Michael T. Strickland. “Illuminating these amazing people each year is truly a gift we cherish. The opportunity my education at UT provided enabled me to achieve at a level not possible otherwise. Thank you.”

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