West Virginia University’s TEDxWVU event “If Not Us, Who?” will begin at 9 a.m. on September 25, in the Canady Creative Arts Center Gladys Davis Theater. The event will feature six dynamic speakers who will discuss a variety of topics encouraging visionary conversations and the spread of new ideas. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, Aug. 18, at 10 a.m. at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center box offices and online at ticketmaster.com.

 

“If Not Us, Who?” aims to share ideas that are charged with action, inspire change and connect our community within a space where participants are able to indulge in new ideas and ultimately move forward with a ”Go First” mindset.

 

“The TEDxWVU student team looks forward to continuing to create conversation spaces of where innovation and creativity can be shared,” explains TEDxWVU Chair and WVU senior Allie Satterfield. “We are excited to connect further with our campus and community.”

The speakers for the fourth annual event are Eric Mason, Olivia Dowler, Mark Garofoli, Samantha Mariano, Cooper Simmerman and Hunter Moore.

 

Eric Mason is a 2014 graduate of WVU and currently serves as the chief financial officer for his hometown of Quincy, Massachusetts. His talk will discuss how impactful change can begin at the local level.

 

Olivia Dowler is a WVU sophomore studying history and Spanish. Her talk will discuss identity, and the idea that oneself is the one individual who can define their personal identity.

 

Mark Garofoli is a clinical assistant professor and the director of experiential learning in the WVU School of Pharmacy. He will discuss American addiction and the impact it has on the state of West Virginia and beyond.

 

Samantha Mariano is a WVU junior majoring in civil & environmental engineering. She will discuss how improving our mental health begins with improving our environment.

 

Cooper Simmerman is a financial advisor and the director of communications for Centurion Wealth. He will share his story and how the power of networking changed his life.

 

Hunter Moore is a senior studying aerospace engineering at WVU. They will discuss the relationship that young Appalachians have with the region, the lack of opportunity and regressive leadership, and how we can begin to discuss changing these perceptions moving forward.

 

Tickets for TEDxWVU “If Not Us, Who?” will go on sale Aug. 18, at 10 a.m. at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center box offices and at ticketmaster.com. General admission tickets are $24 for the general public and $16 for WVU students with a valid WVU Student ID (limit one discounted ticket per valid ID).