TEDx Talks returns to university

<p><em>PHOTO COURTESY OF LINKEDIN.COM</em></p>

PHOTO COURTESY OF LINKEDIN.COM


This November, Ball State students will have the chance to deliver a TEDx Talk speech. 

Originally developed to freely share world leaders' ideas in hopes of inspiring individuals across the globe, TED Talks has become popular enough to expand onto college campuses, according to tedxtalks.ted.com. 

This is the second year Ball State has hosted a TEDx Talk. TEDx are independently organized events which allow those from smaller communities to share their own ideas that connect to their area. 

“We are looking for anyone with new, innovative and creative ideas to expand the thinking and mindset of an audience,” said Jazzy Benson, a senior organizational communications major and student leader of the TEDx Talk.

This year, the topic is "What if?" and a branch of the communications department is looking for students to apply to be speakers. The talk is hosted by Mary Moore, a communications professor and director of individual events, Benson and a class Moore is teaching. 

To choose the speakers for the event, they first start with a rubric they created, and then filter all applications through it. Within this process, close to 20 different people will be reviewing each application. From there, the applications will be ranked depending on the information presented.

“We are looking for quality and content, it doesn’t matter who you are,” Benson said. 

She said they don’t care about grade levels, experience or even whether an individual is an student, staff member or alumni. 

The TEDx Talk is an open opportunity to anyone interested, she said. For those who don’t make the cut, Benson said it still is a good experience to apply because the applicant will receive feedback from the group that could benefit the student in the future.

Benson first became inspired to help host this event last year when she took a leadership communications course taught by Moore.

“I realized this would be a great event to benefit the community and to get people motivated,” Benson said.

Last year, 24 people spoke, including student Albert Jennings talking about his experience with a Cardinal Chemistry project attempting to create love in the classroom; Aric Snee, a Ball State glass-blowing professor; and alum Farah Alam talking about his proposal of India's first geopark. 

So far, there are around 10-20 applicants, but the group hopes to receive more. The organization will be accepting applications through Oct. 4 and the event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 13.

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