The College of Technology teamed with the External Affairs Department to create a unique fundraiser to benefit the Mary Campbell Center. Wilmington University was a sponsor of the event.
Two recent graduates, Matthew Doyle and Mallory Nolte, volunteered to pilot drones that would drop balls onto the green at DuPont Country Club, site of the 40th annual Charmie Welch Golf Invitational, which benefits the Campbell Center in North Wilmington. Each ball was sold to a donor to support the great work being done at Campbell, which provides residential and day care for adults with disabilities.
Tim Day, who chairs the Video Film Production, Animation 3-D, and Drone certificate programs, says the team experimented to ensure a smooth drop. Golf balls proved to be too hard and heavy, but ping pong balls were just right. The drones dropped 230 balls; the three balls closest to the hole would win prizes.
“As it turns out, three balls actually went into the hole, and the winners split the combined prize,” he says.
He says the event was an ideal match for WilmU’s drone program, which stresses collaboration.
“We do a lot of teamwork and group projects, so this was perfect for us,” he says.