March 2020 College News

1 Participants enjoying the fourth annual TEDx Texas State University conference Photo by Albert Suarez 2 Te ten dynamic TEDx Texas State University speakers that spoke on the theme “truth(s)” Photo by Albert Suarez 3 Some members of the 2020 TEDx Texas State University Leadership Team Photo by Albert Suarez 6 | March | College News TED X TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY TEDx Comes to Texas State Te Department of Communication Studies hosted the fourth annual TEDx Texas State University conference on February 15th in the Recital Hall in the Performing Arts Center. [ 1 ] TEDx is a program of local, self- organized events around the world that bring people together to celebrate ideas worth spreading. TEDx is also a part of the 2020 Common Experience. Te 2020 theme was “truth(s)” and it challenged audience members to embrace personal truths, seek truth, and realize that we live in world of multiple truths. Ten dynamic speakers shared ideas from a variety of felds and perspectives including technology, health, the arts, the humanities, the sciences, and our daily lives. [ 2 ] TED X SPEAKERS Tis year’s speakers included: • Erin Cargile , KXAN Investigative Reporter • Dr. Ray Fisk , Professor of Marketing at Texas State University • Kayli Head , Floral Artist and Owner of the Bloom Bar • Dr. Russell Lang, Associate Professor of Special Education at Texas State University and Executive Director of the Clinic for Autism Research Evaluation and Support • Dr. Cassandra LeClair , Senior Lecturer of Communication Studies at Texas State University • Mueni Rudd , Graduate Student in the School of Social Work at Texas State University • Dr. Hector Ruiz , Partner and Managing Director ANSI Capital LLC and former Chairman and CEO of Advanced Micro Devices • Rachel Runnels , Marketing Manager at Bonafde and Conspiracy Teory Researcher • Jessica Soukup , Systems Analyst for Texas State University's Division of Student Afairs and Advocate for the equal rights of transgender and gender diverse people • Maria Tahir , Graduate Student in Sociology at Texas State University Te audience also enjoyed performances from Christian Sparks and the Beatnik Bandits, the Texas State Mariachi Band, Bobcat Dance Teatre, First Class Dance Center, and Texas State Musical Teatre student Bella Coppola . TED X LEADERSHIP TEAM Both faculty and students plan TEDx during an 8 month time period. Ten undergraduate students also served as interns for the Leadership Team. [ 3] Te TEDx Leadership Team included: • Dr. Michael Burns , license holder and speaker and entertainment lead • Dr. Kristen Farris, audience experience co-lead • Dr. Cassandra LeClair, audience experience co-lead • Mark Paz , set design • Jackie DeMuynck (M.A. student), logistics lead • Jason Galarza (M.A. student), sponsorship and volunteer lead • Katy Head (M.A. student), marketing lead • Seth Frei (Department of Management), Technical Director Faculty and alumni also served in support roles and they include: • Dr. Ann Burnette , speaker coach • Austin Allen (MA, 2018), speaker coach • Jeremy Hutchins , speaker selection committee TED X BY THE NUMBERS • 320 tickets sold • 50 students, faculty, and community members volunteered • 7 faculty members led the event • 3 graduate students led the event • 10 undergraduate students were event planning interns • 8 months of planning to complete • 10 dynamic speakers presented ideas focusing on truth(s) • 5 student and community fne art groups performed • 6 audience activations created • 13 local organizations sponsored the event • 100 t-shirts sold • 200 kolaches eaten • 20 gallons of cofee consumed • 400 lunches eaten • 100 VIPs attended the after party College of Fine Arts and Communication | 7