TEDxBryantU
Bryant University will host the second annual TEDxBryantU on Saturday, February 23, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Janikies Theatre.
“Keys to the Future” is the theme of TEDxBryantU 2019
Feb 19, 2019, by Staff Writer
Learn About Bryant Apply to Bryant

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University will host the second annual TEDxBryantU, "Keys to the Future," on Saturday, February 23, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Janikies Theatre. This year's event is meant to spark deep discussions about how we, as a society, can reach a better future and change the world in ways both large and small.

Topics include the important role of mathematics in our increasingly data-driven world; living an intentional life; understanding the impact of block chain; and the joy of connecting and community no matter what technological changes the future brings. The event aims to inspire attendees and start larger conversations that will extend long beyond the day's speaking sessions. 

A student-run initiative, TEDxBryantU is independently organized but licensed by the TED media platform. The 2019 TEDxBryantU committee of 12 Bryant students, led by Vanessa MacMillan 19, have worked tirelessly to bring unique opportunities to campus that inspire, educate, and challenge the attendees to step outside their comfort zone. “The 2019 TEDxBryantU speakers were chosen for their powerful messages and ideas, and we’re looking forward to bringing those ideas to the larger Bryant community.” says MacMillan.

TEDxBryantU came to Bryant after Samantha Scoca ’18, inspired by Bryant’s culture of innovation, applied for a TEDx license and formed a committee with five other dedicated students. Their successful 2018 event covered topics ranging from reimagining customer service to pioneering new methods of decision-making to living well with chronic illness. Watch TEDxBryantU 2018.

TEDxBryantU 2019 Program Overview

TEDxBryantU speakers are some of Bryant’s most talented and accomplished faculty, students and alumni. A program schedule, speaker bios, and talk descriptions can be found at TEDx.Bryant.edu.  

Faculty

  • Rick Gorvett, Ph.D., Chair of the Bryant Mathematics Department, will present “Math: The Key to Understanding the World of the Future”

Students

  • Connor Evans ’19 will present “Legacy”
  • Amy Solov ’19 will present “Embracing Your Inner Loser”
  • Kyle Oliveira ’19 will present “Dirty Fashion”

Alumni

  • Robert Cocchiola ’18, aspiring celebrity chef, will present “Who’s Directing Your Movie?”
  • A.J. Collette ’00, Technology Director at Citizens Bank, will present “Stories, Stars, and Connecting With One Another”
  • Jake Lewtan ’17, MPAc ‘18 will present “Blockchain: Changing the Future of Financial Reporting”
  • Craig Stevens ’98, Senior Vice President, Head of Accounting & Reporting US Life & Health at Swiss Re, will present “Redefining Wealth”
  • Artvine Torossian ’97, Founder of the Karaka™ management consultation firm, will present “Collective Significance”

Guest Speaker

  • Justin Pasquariello, Executive Director at East Boston Social Centers, will present Joy Lives in Community”

Find out more

TEDxBryantU is free for all Bryant students, faculty, staff, and alumni. 

To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tedxbryantu-2019-registration-54616847461.

About Bryant University

Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I., is a leading private university offering an innovative and uniquely integrated business and liberal arts education. The University's 3,700 undergraduate and postgraduate students study in an intensive and immersive learning environment that has been purpose-built for high achievement. Bryant’s groundbreaking academic programs have been nationally recognized by organizations including the Davis Educational Foundation and Hanover Research. Founded in 1863, Bryant is recognized as a leader in international education and regularly receives top rankings from U.S. News and World Report, College Factual/U.S.A. Today, Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, and Barron’s. Visit innovation.bryant.edu.

About TEDx, x= independently organized event

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, usually in the form of short, powerful talks delivered by today’s leading thinkers and doers. Many of these talks are given at TED’s annual gathering in Vancouver, Canada, TEDWomen and TEDGlobal conferences, and thousands of independently organized TEDx events around the world, then made available, free, on TED.com and other channels. 

TED's open and free initiatives for spreading ideas include TED.com, where new TED Talk videos are posted daily; TEDx, which provides licenses to thousands of individuals and groups who host local, self-organized TED-style events around the world; the TED Fellows program, which selects innovators  from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities; and the educational initiative TED-Ed.

Follow TED on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TEDTalks, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TED, on Instagram at https://instagram.com/ted and on Snapchat at tedtalkshq.

Read More

Related Stories