Theme: What if?

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).

AJ 175
2000 W University Ave
Muncie, Indiana, 47306
United States

Albert Jennings

Creative Writing + Communication Studies Student

I'm majoring in creative writing, minoring in Comm studies. I gave a Tedx talk last year that seemed to go pretty well. I play golf at Ball State and do some open mic poetry on the weekends.

Berkley Conner

Graduate Student/Speech Team Coach

Berkley Conner is a graduate student earning her MA in Communication Studies at Ball State University. After graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD in rhetoric and study menstruation politics. In her spare time she enjoys theatre, coaching forensics, and eating candy.

Daniel Overbey

Architect + BSU Adjunct Faculty Member

Daniel Overbey (B.Arch, '05) is an Indianapolis-based architect with Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf. His work focuses on high-performance design and construction, environmental systems, building science, and energy modeling. Daniel has a background in applied research methods and leverages that knowledge to bring a deep technical rigor to his practice and those he consults. His work on numerous building code review committees resulted in policy changes that have shifted the course of design practice in Indiana. Daniel is a graduate-level adjunct faculty member at Ball State University and the Boston Architectural College. He has recently received a Young Architects Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and a Graduate Of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Award from Ball State University.

Don Wettrick

Innovation Coordinator + Author

Don Wettrick is an Innovation Coordinator at Noblesville High School, just outside Indianapolis, IN. He is the author of ""Pure Genius: Building a Culture of Innovation and Taking 20% Time to the Next Level."" Wettrick has worked as a middle school and high school teacher; educational and innovation consultant; and educational speaker. Don is passionate about helping students find their educational opportunities and providing them with the digital tools they need to give them a competitive edge. Don has lectured across the US and Europe about collaboration, social media use, and work environments that enable innovation. Most importantly Don works with educators and students to bring innovation and collaborative skills into education.

Greg Carbo

Organizational Communication Student

My name is Greg Carbo, I am a Sophomore at Ball State University and I love TED! About 3 or 4 years ago I started using a youtube converter and downloading TED talks onto my phone and since then I've been hooked. I try to apply something to my life from every TED talk I listen to and it would be a dream come true to speak in one. I am involved with many organizations on campus, including Student Government, Debate Team, Sigma Chi, Interfraternity Council and the Economic Student Advisory Board. I love to be involved and am currently working on a start up business of my own that I acknowledge that without TED I wouldn't have the confidence or drive to do so.

Katie Morario

English Education + Theatre Education Student

Hello! My name is Katie Morario! I am from Lowell, Indiana and have lots of hobbies! Such as graphic design, biking, hiking, guitar, photography, videography, and eating pizza. However, none of these things relate to my major! I am actually an English Education and Theatre Education double major, with a Creative Writing minor. I'm a fifth year at Ball State, which means I have lived in Muncie for over 4 years. And I will tell you a secret... I love it. Not just Ball State, but Muncie. I love Muncie. And one giant reason why is because I've spent the past 2.5 years being a volunteer at the youth program at Muncie Civic Theatre. Working with these kids/teens as they learn and grow and change has been life changing. They have taught me more about education (and also life) than any class I have ever taken. They have forever changed my view on young people and now I have made it my life mission to advocate for this neglected age.

Mellisa Holtzman

Professor of Sociology

Mellisa Holtzman is an professor of sociology at Ball State University. Her research interests are centered on sex, gender, and sexual assault prevention. Her published work includes articles in Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, Journal of Applied Social Sciences, and Law and Social Inquiry. Mellisa is the co-creator, co-director, and lead instructor for Elemental.

Michael Cook

Political Science and History Student

Michael Cook is a junior at Ball State University and is studying Political Science and History. In addition to his studies, Michael owns his own publishing company, Valois Media Holdings, LLC and has published a book under his pen name, Alexander Valois. After graduation, Michael plans on pursuing a graduate degree while teaching at a private boarding school.

Michele Owen

Psychology Student

My name is Michele and I am a third year psychology student at Ball State. I plan to go on to get an advanced degree in counseling, with the end goal of working with human trafficking victims. I have been interested in studying beauty and human attraction for years, and I am proud to introduce one of the ideas I am most passionate about.

Noor Ayesha

Marketing Student

My Name is Noor Ayesha and I am a Junior Marketing Major at Ball State. I am a very involved member of the Ball State Community, as a student, leader, and activist. I was born in Pakistan and was raised in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Preston Radtke

Public Relations Student

I'm a senior Public Relations major at BSU. I was born in San Francisco, though I now live in Chicago. I've worked the past two years in Ball State's Adaptive Technology lab. Adaptive technology has played an integral part in my life; aside from providing me with a place to work, adaptive technology has allowed me to be a more independent blind person. I have been able to live alone, completely independently, I have traveled across the country via airplane, bus and by foot all on my own because I've used talking GPS's. My job has also allowed me to see how adaptive technology has shaped the lives of other disabled students. I've seen a wheelchair-bound student successfully drive with the use of an adaptive car, I've seen voting machines that are operated via hand gestures to satisfy the needs of citizens with limited dexterity, etc.

Sara McInerney

Development Coordinator at Finish Line Youth Foundation

My name is Sara McInerney and I'm a 2014 May graduate of Ball State University College of Communication, Information and Media. I enjoy public speaking and am excited to have the opportunity to speak and inspire an audience through TEDx Ball State. I was faced with a very tough decision my senior year. I had to choose between an internship with no job guarantee at the end or a full-time position in downtown Indianapolis. Through Ball State professors, friends and mentors, I chose to follow my passion over paycheck and took the internship. I am very excited and anxious to share my story to inspire others to follow their passions. My story was featured in Laura O'Hara College of Communication, Information and Media's graduation speech and I recently won the Ball State Young Alumni Essay Contest for my essay titled ""Passion Over Paycheck."