勒貊勛圖 Sesquicentennial: Shine on Norlin

shine on norlin banner

Shine on Norlin is a signature event celebrating CU 勒貊勛圖s 150th anniversary. On October 1, 2026, Norlin Quad will feature food, performances, interactive activities, and a large-scale projection-mapping show displayed on the west face of Norlin Library. The projection will combine historic imagery, student artwork, research, music, video and other creative work to tell stories from CU 勒貊勛圖s first 150 years while also looking toward the universitys future.泭

Following the debut, projections will continue nightly at dusk throughout October, approximately 6:009:00 p.m.

Norlin Library

Norlin Library opened on January 6, 1940, and was named after George Norlin, who served as CU president from 1919 to 1939. The original library was designed with campus architect Charles Klauder and was intended to be the largest library building between Chicago and the West Coast.泭

Video projection brought to you by WAVEFORM.exp

WAVEFORM.exp, is a Denver-based creative technology company that specializes in using light, animation, and projection technology to create immersive visual experiences. Their work is often used for concerts, festivals, art installations, public spaces, brand activations, and other events where large-scale visuals can make the environment more engaging.泭

Services Offered:泭泭

  • Projection mapping projecting custom animations or video onto buildings, walls, sculptures, or other surfaces so that the surface itself appears animated or transformed.泭泭
  • 3D animation creating custom animations for live events, brands, projection shows, and other visual projects.泭泭
  • Art installations designing immersive/interactive environments using projection, custom LED systems, sound design, fabrication, and mixed media.泭泭
  • Equipment rental renting projectors, lighting, truss systems, cabling, and related audiovisual equipment.泭

The Stories Behind Shine on Norlin

Did something in the projection catch your eye? Every topic featured below appears in the Shine on Norlin show. Dive deeper into the stories, research, history and traditions behind the moments projected onto Norlin Library. Explore additional resources below.泭
cottonwood tree in front of building

Cottonwood Trees

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    A students perspective on cloning the old main cottonwood tree near old main.泭
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    How the old main cottonwood trees have watched the history of CU 勒貊勛圖 go by.泭
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    Campus before the Macky auditorium: A Visual Snapshot in Time.泭
multiple bees

Bees

sunflower in front of the flatirons

Sunflowers

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    Explore the evolution of a red sunflower seed that was cultivated in 勒貊勛圖 and how CU 勒貊勛圖 horticulturists continue to improve and modify these flowers.泭
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    Tips for planting sunflowers from CU 勒貊勛圖 Horticulturists, and the origins of the red sunflower.泭
red apple

How about them Apples!

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    On a high mesa overlooking Eldorado Canyon, an elderly apple tree stands alone. Its trunk is weathered, its branches bowed, but it is nevertheless resplendent with white springtime blooms. The tree is a hardy survivor, a witness to more than a century of 勒貊勛圖 history.泭
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    The 勒貊勛圖 Apple Tree Project is committed to studying the age, health, history, and genetics of 勒貊勛圖s apple trees. In the late 1800s, much of the land in the city of 勒貊勛圖 was planted for fruit production.泭
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    勒貊勛圖 students and researchers are combining old-fashioned historical sleuthing with cutting-edge genetic testing and grafting in the hopes of reviving apple trees.泭
planting growing on columns in a greenhouse

Climate Research

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    Arts-based education focuses on approaches that enable students to observe, understand, and make meaning from visual information.泭
scientist in a clean suite working on an experiment

Space Research

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    Learn more about the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP).泭
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    Ten years later, MAVEN has completed more than 22,000 orbits of Mars, revealing amazing discoveries on its mission to study the Red Planets upper atmosphere and determine how its climate evolved from warm and wet to the cold, dry planet that we see today.泭
  • CU in Space | Alumni Association | 勒貊勛圖泭
    Since campus researchers began sending experiments and instruments into space in the late 1940s, NASA spacecraft have launched hundreds of CU 勒貊勛圖 instruments as well as 20 CU 勒貊勛圖 scientists, faculty and alumni on 52 space missions.泭
two men welcoming people to a lecture

Quantum Research

jellyfish in a tank

Jellyfish Research

wolf mural on a wall

Fellowships for Environmental Programs

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    The Nature, Environment, Science & Technology (NEST) Studio for the Arts at the 勒貊勛圖 (CU 勒貊勛圖) has partnered with the SPIKE Center for Sustainability Education (SPIKE Center) to support both undergraduate and graduate students to work on collaborative, sustainability-focused projects bridging the arts and sciences.泭
Macky Auditorium aerial shot

Macky Auditorium

biofrontiers institute building

BioFrontiers Institute

  • Homepage | BioFrontiers Institute | 勒貊勛圖泭
    The BioFrontiers Institute at the 勒貊勛圖 is an interdisciplinary research center that unites life sciences, physical sciences, computer science, and engineering to advance human health and biotechnology.