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West Virginia University’s TEDxWVU event, “If Not Us, Who?” will begin at 9 a.m. Sept. 25 in the Canady Creative Arts Center Gladys Davis Theater.
The event will feature six speakers, who will discuss a variety of topics encouraging visionary conversations and the spread of new ideas. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Aug. 18 at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center box offices and online at ticketmaster.com.
“If Not Us, Who?” aims to share ideas that are charged with action, inspire change and connect the community within a space where participants are able to indulge in new ideas and ultimately move forward with a “Go First” mindset.
“The TEDxWVU student team looks forward to continuing to create conversation spaces of where innovation and creativity can be shared,” said TEDxWVU chair and WVU senior Allie Satterfield. “We are excited to connect further with our campus and community.”
The speakers for the fourth annual event are Eric Mason, Olivia Dowler, Mark Garofoli, Samantha Mariano, Cooper Simmerman and Hunter Moore.
Mason is a 2014 graduate of WVU and serves as the chief financial officer for his hometown of Quincy, Mass. His talk will discuss how impactful change can begin at the local level.
Dowler is a WVU sophomore studying history and Spanish. Her talk will discuss identity, and the idea that oneself is the one individual who can define personal identity.
Garofoli is a clinical assistant professor and director of experiential learning in the WVU School of Pharmacy. He will discuss American addiction and the impact it has on the state and beyond.
Mariano is a WVU junior majoring in civil and environmental engineering. She will discuss how improving mental health begins with improving the environment.
Simmerman is a financial advisor and director of communications for Centurion Wealth. He will share his story and how the power of networking changed his life.
Moore is a senior studying aerospace engineering at WVU. They will discuss the relationship young Appalachians have with the region, the lack of opportunity and regressive leadership, and how we can begin to discuss changing these perceptions moving forward.
Tickets are $24 for the general public and $16 for WVU students with a valid WVU Student ID (one discounted ticket per valid ID).
TEDx is a program of locally organized events that bring the community together to share a TED-like experience. TEDxWVU was founded in 2017 by WVU students to create a space for ideas worth sharing.
The organization has nearly 30 members who work throughout the academic year to produce a TEDx event for the university and surrounding Morgantown community.
For more information about TEDxWVU, visit https://tedxwvu.com/.
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