TEDxBGSU seeks to amplify the voices of students, faculty, staff, and community members of Bowling Green to share new ideas and inspire change and foster "ideas worth spreading."

As a local, independently organized TEDx event at Bowling Green State University, TEDxBGSU strives to re-create the unique experience found at TED.

TEDxBGSU shares ideas around one central theme: the public good. Bowling Green State University is a public university for the public good and TEDxBGSU will share the stories and ideas from across the BGSU community that amplify this mission. 

You are encouraged to register if you would like to attend, though registration is not required.

2026 Speakers and Themes:

Creativity | 10:30-11:15 a.m.

TEDx Headshots - Emanuel-ken

Building With Almost Nothing: How Scarcity Creates Better Quality

Emmanuel Ken | 10:30 a.m.

TEDx Headshots - Delilah-Wilken

Breaking Waves, Finding Peace: The New Female Boating Movement

Delilah Wilken | 10:45 a.m.

TEDx Headshots - Jake-Stucker

Get Busy Making Or Get Busy Dying

Jake Stucker | 11 a.m.

Critique | 12:30-1:15 p.m.

TEDx Headshots - sashette

America Doesn’t Have a Financial Literacy Problem — It Has a Financial Identity Problem

Sashette Suzanna Mcpherson | 12:30 p.m.

TEDx Headshots - 17

When Nothing Happens, Everything Starts

Alekhya Buragadda | 12:45 p.m.

TEDx Headshots - kelsey-stanfeild

Declining the Terms and Conditions: Resisting Data Colonialism

Kelsey Stanfield | 1 p.m.

Care | 2:30-3:15 p.m.

TEDx Headshots - Ellen-gorsevski

It’s A Sign! Communicating Community-Campus Critter Crossings

Ellen Gorsevski | 2:30 p.m.

TEDx Headshots - tom-daniels

Engagement Is an Outcome, Not the Game.

Tom Daniels | 2:45 p.m.

TEDx Headshots - Kalista-sampson

Becoming Vibrant In An Era Of The "Nonchalant" College Aesthetic.

Kalista Sampson | 3 p.m.

Conviction | 4:30-5:15 p.m.

TEDx Headshots - Enas-Aref

From Loss to Purpose: How Pain and Hope Can Coexist

Enas Aref | 4:30 p.m.

TEDx Headshots - kalen-dougall

Redefining Masculinity: Beyond Be a Man

Kalen Dougall | 4:45 p.m.

TEDx Headshots - Julia-Hage

The Walk Away Warrior: Thriving while Surviving

Julia Hage | 5 p.m.

Catalyst | 6:30-7:45 p.m.

TEDx Headshots - luke-halsey

Redefining Success: From Perfect Plans To Purposeful Pivots

Luke Halsey | 6:30 p.m.

TEDx Headshots - 51

The Power Of The SPARK: Prioritizing Experience And Access In Education

Ryan Lothamer | 7 p.m.

TEDx Headshots - nicole-karn

Changing the Game on Reading: Why Children’s Books and a Love of Reading Still Matter

Nicole Skilliter & Karen Wilhelm | 6:45 p.m.

TEDx Headshots - Abby-coon

Reimagining Conflict Through Connection

Abby Coon | 7:15 p.m.

TEDx Headshots - Abena-Anim

How Understanding Your Emotional Wiring Changes How You Love, React, and Heal.

Abena Anim | 7:30 p.m.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

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.)


About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 26 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. At TED, the world’s leading thinkers and doers are asked to give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Benoit Mandelbrot, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

To individuals with disabilities, please indicate if you need special services, assistance or appropriate modifications to fully participate in events by contacting Accessibility Services, access@bgsu.edu, 419-372-8495. Please notify us prior to the event.

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Updated: 02/20/2026 11:24AM