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).

Oakland City University
138 N. Lucretia St
Oakland City, Indiana, 47660
United States

Ashley Nora

Ashley Nora is a world-renowned artist. She is from Laurel, MS, and now lives in Anderson, IN. Three years ago, she took a leap of faith and quit her day job as an analytical chemist to pursue her lifelong dream of being an artist.

Brad Ford

Brad has a long history (44 years) of helping clients in or nearing retirement create plans designed to accumulate, protect, and preserve their wealth. As a leader of his firm, Brad leverages his knowledge and experience to create personalized financial strategies that address the unique needs and challenges that could arise in retirement. He attended Western Kentucky University and the University of Southern Indiana.

Eli Chapman

Eli Chapman is at Evansville Christian High School, where he is a part of the baseball team. He is also a part of Youth Resources of Southwestern Indiana, where he participates and helps lead youth-led service events. In his free time, he loves driving around, listening to music, hanging out with friends, and spending time with his dogs

Grace Bennett

Grace is in the class of 2024 and is Valedictorian at Evansville Christian School, where she is the Pep Club President, National Honor Society Secretary, and Key Club Class Director. This fall, she will major in Psychology at Asbury University for her Bachelor's Degree and then pursue a Masters in Psychology through the Seminary. She is a National Merit Finalist and has been recognized by Kiwanis for her academic excellence.

Greg Dillon

Dr. Greg Dillon is a World Civility Ambassador, Martial Artist, Entrepreneur, and Oakland City University alum. Greg retired from the electrical utility industry with 32 years of experience. He trained as an industrial firefighter and is a medical first responder certified with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

Hannah Huesman

Hannah Huesman is a former division one collegiate athlete turned mental performance coach and entrepreneur. With a Master’s degree in Sport Psychology and Motor Behavior, Hannah trains professional athletes, business professionals, and first responders on how their minds can work for them instead of against them. She has spent the past seven years working in Major League Baseball as a Mental Performance Coach, including the last two seasons with the World Series Champions and the Texas Rangers. She recently launched her private practice, Mental Sweat.

Jonathan Hoppenstedt

Jonathan Hoppenstedt is currently a full-time undergraduate student here at OCU studying History, Law, for which he co-founded the OCU Moot Court team, and Business, for which he was awarded the Tony Blessinger Success Scholarship from the School of Business. During high school, he received many awards and honors from the National Christian Forensics Communications Association, including being ranked as the 27th most persuasive speaker in the nation in 2022. He continues to teach speech and debate to high schoolers and is a very active community volunteer.

Matthew Murphy

Mat Murphy has many titles and does many tasks, but all of them point to why he does them: empower people to realize they have value from and for Jesus. That includes empowering people locally to make a difference globally AND empowering people globally to make a difference locally. Some of his titles are: "Pastor Mat" since 2011, "husband Mat" to his wife Victoria since 2020, "daddy" since 2021, and "Dr. Mat Murphy" since graduating with his Ed.D. from OCU in 2023.

Sarah Wilson

Dr. Sarah Wilson has been an Associate Professor at Oakland City University for the past five years. She earned her Ph.D. in organic chemistry with a concentration in chemical education from Purdue University and Ed. D. in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction at OCU. In addition to being the Director of the Honors Program at OCU, she is an experienced mixed methods researcher with a fondness for statistical analyses who has published eight articles to date, with two more submitted for publication.

Stan Wilm

Stan Wilm is the Special Education Instructor and Disability Coordinator at Oakland City University. He has his B.S. and M.S. Special Education and is 2023 President’s Adjunct Faculty Award for Excellence in Instruction.