Sanjana Kumbhani
Features Editor
This year’s TEDx event at Wooster is themed “double take,” based off of the global TED them “Think again,” partly because this is Wooster’s second time hosting it, and partly because it focuses on encouraging people to take a second look at the steps they’re taking in their lives.
Christina Haupt ’14, an international student from Zurich, Switzerland and a studio art/philosophy double major is largely responsible for bringing TEDx to Wooster.
“With all the other lecture series and talks at the college, the students often feel uncomfortable approaching the speaker because it’s not easy to match their level. What sets TEDx apart from the rest of the talks is that it connects current students directly to impressive alumni and other influential figures who have encountered similar types of problems figuring out what it is they want to do after they graduate from here,” said Haupt.
Wooster will be welcoming nine speakers on Feb. 15 at Freedlander theatre, starting 2 p.m. From medicine to marketing, environmental development to music instrumental design, and finally from local entrepreneurship to gender binaries, the event is roping in people from across a large spectrum of disciplines. The program will commence with an introductory speech from President Cornwell and attendees will also be breaking out into different sessions throughout the program, to engage the students closely with the faculty and the speakers.
It’s always helpful to meet with people from your prospective profession and seek advice and guidance from them. “You may have an idea of what you want to do or which field you want to enter post-graduation, but then it’s all about the people you know who help you get there. TEDx is a good opportunity for students to begin networking by connecting them with different people,” Haupt said.
Since TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design, this year Wooster made sure to incorporate a creative aspect into the event which was lacking last year. There will be a student band as well as a vocalist participating at the event this year. As icing on the cake, Wooster’s downtown restaurant, Spoon Market & Deli will be catering the event. Although students are permitted to leave anytime during the program they are strongly encouraged to stay till the end because those that do will have the largest takeaway.
This year, Launch, the entrepreneurship club on campus, helped Haupt plan and organize the event and supported it financially as well. The event is free and open to the public. All you have to do is get your ticket at the post office! For more information, visit http://www.ted.com/tedx/events/9835.