Published October 14, 2015
The University of Louisiana at Monroe will present a TEDxULM event at 6:00 p.m. Friday,
Oct. 16 in ULM’s Spyker Theatre. It is the first TEDx event the university has hosted.
Six speakers and performers will present discoveries and ideas to promote awareness
and action.
Speaking at this TEDxULM event are Mr. Benjamin Hickey, Dr. Diana Greenlee, Dr. Kilian
Garvey, Dr. Paul Sylvester, Ms. Tiffany Jackson, Mr. Tom Nicholson, and a VAPA student
group which includes Cory Thaxton, Dashia Vance, Taylor Jenkins, and Mason Howard.
The theme for TEDxULM is, “Tomorrow Shaping Today,” which is centered on the idea
of change. The purpose of the conference is to explore through various disciplines
the differences and similarities of how the past shapes us and is shaping our perspective
on the future.
TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) is a nonprofit organization devoted to
spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks. In the spirit of ‘ideas
worth spreading’, TED has created a program called TEDx, which is a program of local,
self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.
Camille Pearce, a psychology graduate student at ULM, is the main organizer of the
event. Arely Castillo, coordinator of marketing and communications of the College
of Arts, Education, and Sciences, is the co-organizer and advisor. Pearce is very
excited that ULM has been given this opportunity to host this important event.
“I think that ULM and the community of Monroe have a lot to offer as far as a new
perspective on all the ideas. Bringing this platform to the university is giving
us an opportunity to highlight these professionals with these great ideas,” she said.
Pearce also hopes the community will enjoy the event and benefit from it.
“I hope that people who have never experienced TED or TEDx before get that kind of
TED spirit instilled in them, and at the same time, I hope people who know TED will
see that spirit reflected in what we are trying to do here,” she said.
“I got very excited when Ms. Pearce approached me with the idea of a TEDxULM about
a year ago,” Castillo said. “As a TED enthusiast, it’s such an accomplishment knowing ULM
will have its own TEDx.”
“I am both impressed and inspired by the drive and professionalism Ms. Pearce, the
speakers, and the rest of the TEDxULM team has shown for this project,” Castillo said.
"I believe ULM and the community will greatly benefit from their efforts and the conference
will prove to be a success"
Because of TED guidelines, the event is limited to 100 people. Viewers will have
the opportunity to watch a live web stream of the event at www.tedxulm.com
Visit TED on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for more information.
