Georgia Southwestern hosts first-ever TEDx event

One hundred TEDx enthusiasts came together on Friday, April 8, 2022 for GSW’s first-ever TEDx event with the theme Perseverance and Creativity. TEDxGeorgiaSouthwesternU was held in the Magnolia Manor Nursing Auditorium inside the Rosalynn Carter Health and Human Sciences Complex and was also livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.

What was once merely an idea in August 2021 from Jerome Harney ’22, a GSW online MBA student from California, came to life through the help and inspiration of his former professor Dr. Irina Toteva and GSW’s Provost Dr. Suzanne Smith. They agreed hosting a TEDx event was a great way to connect online students with on-campus faculty, staff and students in a meaningful way while shining a light on the Americus community at the same time.

Only a handful of universities in Georgia have ever hosted a TEDx event.

The independently produced event, operated under a license from TED, was organized by faculty and staff volunteers and aimed to give people a forum to share their passions, ideas and experiences. The speakers were excited to bring their unique stories to life which they prepared for months, working with Toteva as the curator of the event.

Among the speakers were three GSW students, Ashley Carag, Jacqueline Granado ’22 and Lorelle Carey ’22, and GSW alumna Kim (Carter) Fuller ’88, executive director of the Friends of Jimmy Carter National Historic Park.

Other speakers included Joanna Arnold, service learning coordinator & world languages advisor at Furlow Charter School; Phil Vinson, co-founder & CEO of Mobile Glassblowing Studios; Elena Carné, owner of T31™; Dr. Darrin Theriault, assistant professor of management; and Kelsey Kicklighter, media specialist at Furlow Charter School and author.

The next TEDxGeorgiaSouthwesternU is scheduled for April 14, 2023. Stay tuned for information on ticket sales and sponsorship opportunities.