Wake Forest to Host TEDx: Daring to Endeavor

February 19, 2014

Wake Forest is hosting TEDx, an independently organized event licensed by TED, on Feb. 22 from noon to 5 p.m. in Wait Chapel. The event will feature nine thought leaders ranging from the CEO of the Wall Street Journal’s 2013 startup of the year to the founder of the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte. Presenters, who will each give a talk lasting no longer than 18-minutes, include:

• Dr. Eric Tomlinson, President of Wake Forest Innovation Quarter and Chief Innovation Officer of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
• Vic Howie, founder of the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., whose mission is to create the “perfect playground for both children and adults.”
• Greg Merril, Founder and CEO of Brain Sentry, a company that builds helmet-mounted sensors to detect concussions and was named The Wall Street Journal Startup of the Year in 2013.
• Kevin Novak, the Data Modeling & Analysis Lead at Uber, one of the fastest growing private companies in America.

A complete list of speakers is available on the TEDxWakeForestU website.

The TEDx program is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level.

“TEDx is part of a global movement to explore the unknown, discover a passion, take action, and better our community,” said senior Yana Klein, a student TEDx organizer. “It’s an honor for Wake Forest to host this engaging and progressive event. We want to encourage local and regional community members to join us. Our goal is to fill all 2,000 available seats in Wait Chapel.”

“The talks at a TEDx event are inspirational,” said Polly Black, professor of practice and director of Wake Forest’s Center for Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship. “Each one on its own is an ‘idea worth spreading.’ Together, the talks can inspire the audience to combine ideas in new ways.”

Registration and tickets for Wake Forest’s TEDx event are available online here. Tickets are $10 for the general public, $5 for non-WFU students, and free for Wake Forest University students, faculty and staff. Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend.

Registration for TedX is required for entry.