From a decorated military officer, to a successful entrepreneur, to a Human Rights Fellow at Yale Law School, six speakers will deliver talks centered around the theme of “Do Great Work” April 18 at Gettysburg College.

“TEDx brings a new form of education to the College,” said senior Steve Meehan. “It’s more of a social learning experience, and different from the everyday classroom setting.”

View the livestream beginning at 6:30 p.m. on April 18
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Meehan is one of five students (pictured right) who coordinated TEDxGettysburgCollege, an independently organized TED event where six speakers will give short and entertaining talks presenting new and innovative ideas.

“I heard about TEDx through a friend who had brought the event to his campus,” says Meehan. “I thought it would be great to host an event here since, similarly to Gettysburg, TEDx brings together people of different backgrounds, cultures, personalities, and knowledge and opens them up to new ideas and perspectives.”

TEDxGettysburgCollege has developed a theme that embodies the mission of the institution – “Do Great Work” – and speakers have internalized this theme and are excited to share their stories.

“I was absolutely thrilled to be asked to deliver a TEDx talk because I believe that the TED concept is something that has been missing from our cultural discourse,” explained speaker and chair of the philosophy department Steve Gimbel. “There has been a separation of informative conversation from entertainment in our society. What TED does is provide a place for smart and fun, interesting and enjoyable conversation.”

The additional speakers include Sarah Calhoun ’00, entrepreneur; John Commito, environmental studies professor; Luke Norris ’06, Robina Foundation Visiting Human Rights Fellow at Yale Law School; Dustin Beall Smith, English professor; and Colonel Stephanie Smith, decorated military officer and the recipient of numerous judicial accolades.

“I think it's great when students take the initiative and try to get important discussions going on campus,” said Commito. “I'm looking forward to hearing what folks in attendance have to say about the theme of ‘Do Great Work.’"

TEDxGettysburgCollege will be held on Wednesday, April 18 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in Master’s Hall’s Mara Auditorium.

Those interested in attending the event must register. TED allows for only 100 attendees, as they encourage people to watch the TEDx event via livestream. For more information about the event and what to expect, visit the TEDxGettysburgCollege website.

About TEDx

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.

About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED Conference invites the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes. Their talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The annual TED Conference takes place in Long Beach, California, with simulcast in Palm Springs; TEDGlobal is held each year in Oxford, UK. TED’s media initiatives include TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted daily, and the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as the ability for any TEDTalk to be translated by volunteers worldwide. TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world are given the opportunity to put their wishes into action; TEDx, which offers individuals or groups a way to host local, self-organized events around the world, and the TEDFellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

Founded in 1832, Gettysburg College is a highly selective four-year residential college of liberal arts and sciences with a strong academic tradition. Alumni include Rhodes Scholars, a Nobel laureate, and other distinguished scholars. The college enrolls 2,600 undergraduate students and is located on a 200-acre campus adjacent to the Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania.

Article by Lindsay Preucil ’12

Contact: Tracey Dukert, assistant director of news content, 717.337.6521