TEDxUSU Returns in 2015 with 'Ideas Worth Spreading'

Utah State University’s premier TEDx event returns to the Caine Performance Hall Oct. 23, bringing together some of the brightest minds in northern Utah. Now in its fourth year, the three-session program includes 12 presentations, performances and recorded TED talks.

This year’s lineup includes some of USU’s best researchers, including large-mammal ecologist Johan du Toit and gerontologist Elizabeth Fauth, who will share their ideas. TEDxUSU will also bring in external speakers, including Acting Chief Scientist of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Luciana Borio, from Washington, D.C.

Vice President for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies Mark McLellan said it’s an honor to once again host TEDxUSU.

“Amazing ideas are born every day at this university and in this community,” said McLellan. “How amazing it is to see those ideas come to life on a global stage, right here on campus.”

The Office of Research and Graduate Studies brought TEDx to USU in 2012 with the hope that the conference would help underline the university as a thought-provoking venue where challenging thinkers share insight with the community. TEDxUSU is meant to push attendees and online viewers to think outside of their comfort zone by engaging them in new and different subjects.

Since then, the each year’s event has sold out within hours, and the talks have garnered hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube.

“The campus and community response to TEDx has been phenomenal,” McLellan said. “People often tell me that this is one of their favorite events of the whole year. The passion and innovation these speakers exhibit will make you think and live differently. The ideas shared on that stage truly are worth spreading — I’ve never left feeling uninspired.”

This year’s TEDxUSU event includes two speaking sessions held in the Caine Performance Hall, separated by an extended intermission in the Kent Concert Hall atrium. The intermission will include food and interactive exhibits related to the talks.

“We’ve responded to audience feedback, and we’re moving TEDxUSU to a Friday evening timeslot, instead of our previous weekday afternoon schedule” said McLellan. “We hope this gives more opportunity for community members to participate.”

Tickets will be available this year through a lottery process, beginning Sept. 21. Those who wish to attend must sign up for the lottery before Oct. 5. This process is meant to streamline and simplify the ticket purchasing process. For more information on purchasing tickets visit the TEDxUSU website.

TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The 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 rules and regulations).

TEDxUSU invites all forms of social media interaction before, during, and after the event. To stay up-to-date on all things TEDxUSU, connect with it:

•Twitter: @tedxusu    

•Instagram: @tedxusu

•Facebook: facebook.com/tedxusu

For more general information, including the full list of speakers, see the website. Video recordings of previous talks can be found online and by searching “TEDxUSU.”

Contact: Scott Bates, associate vice president for research, (435) 797-2975, scott.bates@usu.edu