A senior ACU student has been selected to speak at the upcoming TEDxACU event.
Victoria Sun, senior music and youth and family ministry major from Plano, will present her speech, “Who Do You Think I Am?”
Lauren Lemley, organizer of TEDxACU, said Sun impressed judges with her humor and poise as she advanced to the final round, where she delivered her speech in front of a live audience in preparation for the event.
Sun’s speech will provide a unique look into the perspective of millennials who have grown increasingly frustrated by society’s desire to “put them in a box.”
“I really believe the words we use are important, and I was very driven by the idea that, with the right words, I could share something that I think is really important and challenge the way people think and act,” Sun said.
Sun was chosen after the fall semester’s student speaking competition.
“I think it was less about courage and more about sharing something that I really believe in and think people should hear, and I am very, very excited about that.”
Other speakers selected to speak come from different backgrounds and will represent different occupations. Rusty Towell, professor and chair of the Department of Physics and Engineering, has served in the U.S. Navy as an instructor at the Naval Nuclear Power School. Tom Craven has worked as manager of the entertainment division at Walt Disney World.
Another speaker that will represent many other ACU alumni is Chip Townsend. Townsend began his career as a martial arts instructor and has been featured on ESPN, the Discovery Channel and NBC’s America’s Got Talent.
Over the next few weeks, the last few speakers will be chosen and posted on TEDxACU’s website and Facebook page, facebook.com/tedxacu.
TEDxACU will take place April 17 with the theme, “(re)think.”
The event will be a one-day conference devoted to inspiring minds and planting ideas toward embracing the challenges of tomorrow. The day will consist of a combination of speakers, performances, conversations, interactive exhibits and opportunities to network with people from across the state.
“TEDxACU isn’t a competition,” Lemley said. “As an organization, TED’s mission is to support ‘ideas worth spreading,’ and our event exists in that same spirit – to learn new things, to hear different perspectives and to make new connections.”
A limited number of $20 student tickets will be awarded in early March. To apply for the student tickets, visit https://acu.edu/tedxacu.studentapp. Applications are due March 1.
TEDxACU will take place in Cullen Auditorium and will start at 8 a.m. For non-students who would like to attend, visit https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/12394 to register.
SPEAKERS
Nika Maples, author of Twelve Clean Pages – “What Paralysis Taught Me About True Strength”
Chip Townsend, martial arts school owner – “Changing the World One Kick at a Time”
Rabbi Phyllis Sommer, blogger – “Dead is Dead: Euphemism and the Power of Words”
Jeff Christian, preaching minister at Bering Drive Church of Christ – “How My Tribe Created My TEDx Talk”
Victoria Sun, senior music and youth and family ministry – “Who Do You Think I Am?”
Jack and Jill Maxwell, professor of art and design and artist – “Double Vision”
Dr. Stephen Baldridge, professor of social work – “The More You’re Taught, The Less You Know”
Tom Craven, manager of the entertainment division at Walt Disney World – “What Disney Can Teach Us About Inspiration, Creativity, and Having Faith in Your Team”
Larry James, executive director of CitySquare – “The Wealth of ‘The Poor'”
Rusty Towell, professor and chair of the Department of Physics and Engineering – “Why Making Energy from Dirt Might Save the World”
