Megann Horstead
Content Producer
The college will host its first ever TEDx conference where alumni and current students present and discuss their ideas on social impact.
The event will be held 4-8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13 at Meiley Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St., with additional live-stream seating at the Union, 129 W. Benton Ave.
TED Talks have grown widely in popularity the past couple years. A number of professors across all-college lines have featured TED Talks in the classrooms. Students may have also seen many TED Talks being shared online.
“In our culture, TED has become the platform for ideas that are worth spreading,” said Associate Academic Dean Jeremy Gudauskas. “To be connected with a larger group of people that are innovating, discussing, and sharing ideas, we’d like to be a part of that conversation to learn from what’s going on but also to contribute to the conversation.”
In general, TEDx conferences are focused on ideas people can resonate, relate to and respond to. The presentations held at the college’s conference will closely follow the TED way.
“It’s different than a lecture in a classroom,” Gudauskas said. “It’s different than a motivational speech. It’s focused on an idea and if the idea were to spread, what would be the result?”
This year’s theme will be “changing the world for good.” Gudauskas explained how the theme aligns with the college’s mission.
“A common theme behind a North Central education is that there’s something (students are) doing for the common good,” Gudauskas said. “They leave and want to impact the world in a positive way.”
Director of Leadership Ethics & Values (LEV) program Thomas Cavenagh commented on how holding the conference helps the college to stay fresh and innovative.
Cavenagh said TED is the kind of online content that smart people are attracted to. The college has a commitment to putting big ideas out and using technology to engage a wider audience here at North Central. This is a place that produces the kind of innovative thinking that TED thrives on.
With the popularity of TEDx conferences, Gudauskas commented on the possibility of holding future events at the college.
First, NCC will gauge how many people show up. If there’s enough momentum the college will consider whether to keep hosting the TEDx conferences.
Among the presenters will be President Troy Hammond, six alumni guest speakers and six student finalists, who underwent an application process. The event allows each participant to present a 12-minute talk and the student finalists to present a 3-minute pitch.
There will be two blocks of 90-minute presentations with an intermission to include performances, surprises and other interactive elements.
The event is sponsored by Student Affairs, the LEV department and Cultural Events.
Although tickets for the viewing in Meiley-Swallow have sold out, people are encouraged to watch the live stream at the Union, where seating is free with a ticket depending on space availability. The Union will also be the official location for the TEDx after party.
If interested in attending, contact the college’s box office at 630.637.SHOW. Once all tickets are sold out, a link will be made available at http://tedxnorthcentralcollege.com/tedxnorthcentralcollege-live-stream/
