LED Video Wall Upgrade Heightens the Student Experience at Clarkson University
Clarkson University is a private, national research University and proven leader in technological education and sustainable economic development through teaching, research, scholarship and innovation. Founded in 1896, its main campus is located in Potsdam, New York and additional campus operations in Saranac Lake, Schenectady, Beacon and New York City.
In the center of Clarkson’s campus is the Student Center, a 60,000-square-foot LEED certified building which serves as the hub of campus activity and a place where students can spend time between classes, hold club meetings and participate in different activities. The largest space within the building is the Student Center Forum, a three-story amphitheater-style atrium that includes a stage, bench seating and three levels of surrounding balconies. The multi-use space is used for a variety of purposes and entertainment including concerts, shows, lectures and awards ceremonies.
When the Student Center was built in 2010, a video wall was installed for sports viewing, screenings, presentations and to support events. After 10 years, when the video wall had reached the end of its lifespan, the University decided the time had come to upgrade and engage system designer and integrator Video Visions to consult on a new solution.
Video Visions proposed an LED retrofit featuring the Planar® TVF Series LED video wall. “We recommended the Planar TVF Series because we’ve had great success with that line on other projects,” said Video Visions President Mary Ellen Milanese.
Based on viewing distances in the forum, Video Visions presented two Planar TVF Series options: an LED video wall with a 1.8mm pixel pitch and another with a finer pixel pitch—1.5mm. “The University asked if it was possible to compare them to determine whether they wanted to spend more for the finer option, so we reached out to Planar who sent a specialist to the campus with a demo of each,” Milanese said. “The client was able to view both options side-by-side in their environment. They immediately decided to go with the 1.5mm pixel pitch. This is just one of the reasons why we really enjoy working with Planar.”
Following Clarkson’s decision, Video Visions installed a nearly 14-foot-wide, 8-foot-high Planar TVF Series LED video wall with a 1.5mm pixel pitch (TVF1.5) in a 7x7 configuration. “The new LED video wall is stunning—it’s phenomenal all the way around,” said Josh Fiske, chief information officer with Clarkson University’s Office of Information Technology. “The Student Center Forum is core to the student experience on campus and the LED video wall is the centerpiece of that. We are wicked happy with the installation.”
Simplified design
The Planar TVF Series features 27-inch cabinets and a stackable, cableless design that makes the video wall easier to fit in more spaces, compared to other LED video wall solutions. According to Milanese, the ease of installation was a big part of what made the project successful.
“We were working with size parameters—we had to retrofit the existing installation that had a cabinet built around it,” she said. “With the Planar TVF Series, we could easily make it fit without having to completely recreate the entire enclosure. Our engineering and installation teams love the Planar TVF Series—they know the product like the back of their hand. That’s a testament to Planar’s training programs, which are wonderful. Our technical and engineering staff tend to lead with the Planar product line because of the support they always get.”
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
