TEDxDePaulUniversity speakers (top row, from left to right): Jacqueline Martinez, Alyssa Westring, Kinza Khan, Ken Butigan, Derise Tolliver Atta, Fr. Edward Udovic, (bottom row, left to right) Gabrielle Presbitero, Laith Saud, Winifred Curran, Dorothy Griggs, Mark McGreevy and Shailja Sharma. (Image by Jeff Carrion)With an overwhelming response to the call for speaker applications, the TEDxDePaulUniversity selection committee had a tough job on his or her hands. Out of a pool of 80 applicants - and after ample deliberation - the committee selected 12 worthy speakers who strike at the heart of TED's mission: They have ideas worth spreading.
The speakers include DePaul University faculty, staff, students and alumni. Through the theme, "What Must be Done?" each speaker's talk has deep roots in their areas of research and personal interests that promise to inspire ideas and provoke stimulating conversation within the community.
The speakers are: Peace, justice and conflict studies teacher Ken Butigan; gentrification scholar Winifred Curran; writer, change agent and graduate student Dorothy Griggs; College of Law alumna and domestic violence attorney Kinza Khan; co-founder of NetWings and student Jacqueline Martinez; international advocate for the homeless Mark McGreevy; bioinformatics enthusiast and student Gabrielle Presbitero; writer, scholar and activist Laith Saud; associate professor of international studies Shailja Sharma; faculty mentor and associate professor Derise Tolliver Atta; senior executive for university mission and church historian the Rev. Edward R. Udovic, C.M.; and women's work culture researcher Alyssa Westring. The master of ceremonies for the event will be The Theatre School's diversity advisor Dexter Zollicoffer.
TEDxDePaulUniversity will be held April 29 from 1-5 p.m. at 247 S. State St., room LL105. For more on the event visit:
TEDxDePaulUniversity.com.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)
About TED
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to "ideas worth spreading." Started as a four-day conference in California 30 years ago, TED has grown to support its mission with multiple initiatives. The two annual TED Conferences invite the world's leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes or less. Many of these talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Sal Khan and Daniel Kahneman.