Theme: (re)think

As part of our promise to support and nurture innovative ideas, ACU is excited to host its first TEDx event on April 17, 2015. Our theme for this event will be “(re)think.” (Re)thinking necessitates innovation. It calls us to question the status quo and consider how a single individual’s idea might radically alter an entire community. Join us for TEDxACU 2015, a one-day conference devoted to (re)thinking today and embracing the challenges of tomorrow.

Cullen Auditorium, ACU
1995 Campus Court
Abilene, Texas, 79699
United States

Chip Townsend

Chip Townsend began his journey in martial arts at 13 years old under the tutelage of Grand Master Lim. Although he had lost the sight in his right eye at age 3, he persevered. Today, he holds 14 ISKA (International Sport Karate Association) World Titles in Breaking. He has been featured on ESPN, the Discovery Channel, and more recently NBC’s America’s Got Talent.

Jack Maxwell

Jack and Jill Maxwell began making art together almost fifteen years ago when they participated in a mission trip to Brazil, and since that time they have painted in over 150 times in public contexts. They have made a purposeful commitment to make art together, to work as partners whether it is plein air painting in Europe or in their studio at home.

Jeff Christian

Jeff is a husband to Jen; a dad to two teenagers, Cole and Reese; the preaching minister at the Bering Drive Church of Christ; a member of the Gypsy Motorcycle Club; men’s soccer coach at Carnegie Vanguard High School; and an avid fan of Pink Floyd.

Jeff Rogers

Jeff Rogers is a multidisciplinary designer and illustrator specializing in custom lettering and typography of all shapes and sizes. This approach has attracted an impressive client list that includes Google, McDonald’s, Dreamworks, Nickelodeon, Ford, Nike, Urban Outfitters and The New York Times. But in addition to his visual design work, Jeff is also active in the music community in Brooklyn performing and recording for artists such as The Lone Bellow and Dylan Sneed.

Jill Maxwell

Seee bio above for both speakers, as they presented together.

John Siburt

John believes that one of the best weapons we have in our war against poverty is community. And in his role as President and Chief Operations Officer at CitySquare, a Dallas, Texas-based nonprofit, he has been dedicated to fighting the causes and effects of poverty for more than 25 years.

Nika Maples

After surviving a massive brain stem stroke at only 20 years old, Nika lay paralyzed in the hospital, listening to doctors warn her family that she had as little as 48 hours to live. But despite the odds, she recovered, returned to school, and went on to become the Texas Education Agency’s 2007 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Phyllis Sommer

Phyllis regularly blogs (and tweets!) about the ins-and-outs of her life as rabbi, wife, and mother of four, leading the Huffington Post to name her as one of their “Influential Jewish Twitter Users” of 2011. But most recently, she has chronicled her family’s experiences in the aftermath of the cancer diagnosis, treatment, and death of her son, Sam.

Rusty Towell

From an early age, Rusty Towell was curious about how things worked. That curiosity led him to earn a degree in Engineering Physics, serve in the U.S. Navy as an instructor at the Naval Nuclear Power School, return to school for a Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics, and work for over 25 years with “atom smashers” at national laboratories around the country.

Sean Adams

Sean Adams, a former NCAA All-American athlete, turned his love of sports into a life working with others through the medium of sports. Each afternoon he hosts the top-rated show “The Adams Theory” on the Longhorn Flagship Station and ESPN affiliate – AM 1300 The Zone. He is also a television analyst for football and track and field for ESPN and The Longhorn Network.

Stephen Baldridge

Stephen is a career social worker with a passion for teaching. His research and work in education and teaching methods have been internationally recognized, and he consults with school districts and universities around the nation, helping them become more active teachers and use the most interactive and evidence-based methods of learning.

Tom Craven

During his 41 year career with the Disney company, Tom advanced from Jungle Cruise ride operator to Manager of the Entertainment Division at Walt Disney World. Along the way, he was involved in one way or another with the design, construction, and Grand Opening of Walt Disney World, Epcot Center, Disney Studios, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris.

Victoria Sun

Victoria is a 2015 graduate of Abilene Christian University, with degrees in both Youth & Family Ministry and Music. Her humor, poise, and unique perspective on life resonated with both audience members and judges during our 2014 TEDxACU student speaking competition, which she won to earn her spot on the TEDxACU stage.