“Purpose and Potential,” hosted by TEDxUniversityofMississippi, will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at the Gertrude C. Ford Center with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.
In line with TED’s mission of “Ideas Worth Sharing,” this year’s 10th anniversary event showcases new and innovative ideas that are relevant to the Oxford community. Speakers include Eden Tanner, Kylie Wright, Muftiat Oyindamola Adeyi, Hannah Allen, Harrison Lee and Shonna Tillman.
Morgan McCann, TEDxUniversityofMississippi’s chief of staff and senior linguistics and interdisciplinary studies major from Huntsville, Ala., said that over 150 people typically apply each year, but only a select few are chosen.
“This year we have six speakers: four faculty members, one alumni and one professor from Mississippi State. We wanted to be intentional with our lineup for the 10th anniversary and focus on lifting up voices from our community,” McCann said. “This event is the pinnacle of all the work we put in since before the school year even starts.”
Sophomore dietetics and nutrition major Emily Wolfgram, from Lake Geneva, Wis., serves as the head of social media for TEDxUniversityofMississippi. Wolfram said spreading the word to students through social media is important to encourage attendance.
“A lot of what I have been doing for the event is introducing our members, speakers and TedX in general as well as trying to get engagement from students through watch parties, tabling events and through our social media such as TikTok,” Wolfgram said. “I hope the people who attend the event learn something. We have a lot of wonderful speakers this year with interesting perspectives on their topics.”
The event will commence with a set by the Mississippians Jazz Ensemble and an art gallery display in the lobby to welcome guests.
Freshman music education major Miller Owen from Marion, Ark., is a member of the as a part of The Mississippians Jazz Ensemble and hopes to help set the mood for the night.
“I’m really excited to have the chance to play at a (TEDxUniversityofMississippi) event. I’ve always grown up watching Ted Talk videos and to be able to play at an associated event is a great opportunity,” Owen said.
Audience members are invited to meet the event’s speakers at a reception after the event featuring complementary mocktails and charcuterie.
“I hope those who attend our event learn what great work members of our community are doing. Our mission is not to influence our audience into a way of thinking but to present innovative ideas to our audience,” McCann said. “This is my fourth year with the team, and I always hope they take the ideas presented with them beyond just the car ride home and that they carry with them that amazing innovations are happening in and around our campus community.”
