May 2, 2016
Kyle Guthrie
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It’s hard for any UCCS student to get their degree without watching at least one TED Talk video in class.
Students will have the opportunity to watch some of these motivational speakers live in Berger Hall on May 5 from 3-9 p.m. at TEDxUCCS. The event will feature both national and local speakers.
The theme for the event is “Flourish,” which the TedxUCCS website explains as “an expanse of ideas intended to inspire the continuance of growing, thriving, and flourishing.”
El Pomar Institute for Innovation and Commercialization events marketing project manager Rhea Phaneuf organized the upcoming event. Students can look forward to a variety of topics, according to Phaneuf.
“The thing with Ted is that it’s never about one industry or one silo information; it has to be broad-based and encompass everything,” said Phaneuf.
The selection of speakers this year incorporated what the community wanted to hear, according to Phaneuf.
“I had to basically pick the brains of all the EPIIC chairs that we know in the community just to see what we would like to hear,” said Phaneuf. “I think with TEDxUCCS, we differentiate ourselves in that we are trying to do a mix of national names along with local speakers.”
“I think this is a great idea,” said Adriana Morken, a graduate student majoring in geography. “Ted Talks are awesome when it comes to bringing up interesting ideas, especially in helping out the student community.”
Junior history major Rachel Ruiz think the event will be helpful for students.
“I think if we had access to more resources such as this, we would be more successful in the world.”
Wes Falany, a junior game design major, find TED talks to be less than inspirational.
“I always find inspirational speakers funny because I believe inspiration comes from within,” said Falany. “I find it funny that other people need to hear about other people’s lives in order to find inspiration for their own.”
Speakers include Gallup senior scientist Shane Lopez, Kim Cameron, a professor at the University of Michigan specializing in organizational psychology, author and New Yorker writer Patricia Marx and Edgar Johansson, president for the Colorado Space Business Roundtable.
Phaneuf said that the speakers are all qualified to discuss their fields. She said students may want to see each one based on their own studies at UCCS and personal interests.
“All of the speakers really stand out,” Phaneuf said, “It all kind of depends upon the topic. I think that the students here study a lot of different things.”
The Lowdown
What: TEDxUCCS
When: May 5, 3-9 p.m.
Where: Berger Hall
Cost: $15 for a student reserved seat, free standing room