On Jan. 24, East Tennessee State University announced that it is partnering with TEDx to organize a TEDxETSU event.
TEDx, a branch of Ted Conferences LLC, is a conglomeration of independently organized TED functions. The theme for ETSU’s particular TEDx event is connections: how they are made and the impact they have on ourselves and on those around us.
“Connections is an important theme because ETSU hosts students of many diverse backgrounds all pursuing higher education in different fields,” said Levi Jones, an ETSU sophomore and co-organizer of the event. “This provides an opportunity for students to spread their ideas through a unique platform such as TEDx.”
The TEDxETSU event is being organized by Chloe Philpot, a junior pre-Law student. Philpot gave a TED Talk of her own about poetry in 2021, then applied for TEDx licensure last fall and was accepted shortly thereafter. As of this year, Philpot is the youngest current holder of a TEDx license. In addition to Philpot and Jones, co-organizers of the event include Brooke Hornberger, Ethan Walker, Rebekah Allen, Brianna Yeary, Claire Fox and Kiely Long.
Discussing his favorite part of the process so far, Jones said, “My favorite part has been getting to read all of the amazing application ideas and see what stories people can tell when only given one word: connection.”
Currently, the first round of student submissions are under review by the TEDx Team. Those who advance past this preliminary round of applications will be notified within the coming weeks; as of now, the team is looking at accepting around ten speakers.
The official date and location are set be announced in the near future. In the meantime, students, staff and anyone else who is interested in receiving updates on the TEDxETSU event can follow @tedxetsu on Instagram.
