Theme: Universal Exploration

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).

Student Center
2423 Blinn Blvd.
Bryan, Texas, 77805
United States

Marian Anderson String Quartet

World class classical string quartet

On September 30, 1989 the members of the Marian Anderson String Quartet, then known as the Chaminade Quartet, came together; unaware that they would soon change history. In 1991, the Quartet won the International Cleveland Quartet Competition, becoming the first African American ensemble in history to win a classical music competition. To highlight this singular achievement the members of the quartet asked permission of the great contralto, Marian Anderson, to use her name as their own.

Becky Benes

Owner, Oneness of LIfe Global Leadership Development Center

A visionary and a catalyst for change, Becky Benes helps global leaders and organizations build authentic, sustainable and profitable leadership teams through development workshops, retreats and virtual coaching programs. In working with her, organizations experience a decrease in overall stress, conflict and disharmony and an increase in productivity, motivation, profits and work/life balance. Benes is the owner and operator of the Oneness of Life Global Leadership Development Center and the author of two books: Oh My Chocolate God the Great Chocolatier and Melt Into Your Essence Meditation Journal and CD. She writes a biweekly lifestyle and values column, Something to Consider, in the San Angelo Standard Times, and has been the keynote or breakout and retreat facilitator for a variety of business and leadership conferences, spiritual programs and interfaith conferences across the globe, including the All Ladies League World Women’s Economic Forum in New Delhi, India, earlier this

Jennifer Mercieca

Associate Professor, Texas A&M University, Political Rhetoric Scholar

Dr. Jennifer Mercieca (Ph.D., University of Illinois) is an historian of American political discourse, especially discourses about citizenship, democracy and the presidency. Her scholarship combines American history with rhetorical and political theory in an effort to understand democratic practices. Her citizenship research argues that current views of citizenship treat Americans mainly as partisans, which prevents them from acting for the common good. Her presidency research argues that we have heroic expectations for the presidency that are both unrealistic and unconstitutional and that these expectations burden the presidency. She is the author of Founding Fictions and co-editor of The Rhetoric of Heroic Expectations: Establishing the Obama Presidency. Her essays have appeared in scholarly journals like Rhetoric & Public Affairs, The Quarterly Journal of Speech, and Presidential Studies Quarterly. Mercieca teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on political communicati

Macharia Waruingi

Founder of the Ubrica Foundation, Architecture for Health specialist, Texas A&M University

Macharia Waruingi is a physician and healthcare executive holding various positions in healthcare business, academia and research. He founded and serves as president and CEO at Ustawi Biomedical Research Innovation and Industrial Centers of Africa, Inc. (UBRICA), a company focused on developing life science and health products in Africa. UBRICA sponsors investments in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, clinics and hospitals in the frontier market. In addition, the company sponsors investments in specialized real estate for life science and health care and invests in building “Sustainable One Health Communities” designed to overcome the grand challenge of global health. Waruingi teaches courses, conducts academic research and supervises dissertation projects in the United States and Kenya, and has conducted and supervised research in medicine, health care management, finance, regulation, design, program implementation and monitoring, architecture, and the design of health care syst

Paul Hill

Former director of NASA's Mission Control and leadership specialist

Paul Hill served as one of NASA’s leading rocket scientists for more than 25 years, including eight as director of Mission Operations at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. A former Blinn College lecturer and a third-generation graduate of Texas A&M University, Hill earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in aerospace engineering. Following graduation, he worked in military satellite operations in the Air Force. Attaining the rank of captain, Hill served as an aerodynamics and aircraft performance instructor.

Vincent Ohaju

Trauma Surgeon, Founder of the VOOM Foundation

Dr. Vincent U. Ohaju is the trauma medical director at CHI-St. Joseph Health Care System in Bryan, Texas. Prior to that, he was the associate chief for the Division of Surgery & Neuromuscular Services at Essentia Health (formerly St. Mary’s Medical Center) in Duluth, Minnesota. Dr. Ohaju is a physician champion for the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) and a course director for the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS). Ohaju received his medical degree from the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas. He completed his internship and residency in general surgery at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, and fellowships in surgical critical care and trauma surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. He is board-certified in both general surgery and surgical critical care. Ohaju is a fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons. He