The TedxBGSU conference, set for Thursday, March 21, is set to bring  20 inspiring talks to campus focused around five of the six design-thinking mindsets: Be Curious, Collaboration, Reframe, Take Action, and Share Your Story.

The theme of this year’s TEDxBGSU is “For the Public Good,” highlighting public good created on campus and within the Bowling Green community. Speakers will discuss their personal vision for the public good from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The event is conducted in collaboration with the Geoffrey H. Radbill Center for College and Life Design and the Michael and Sara Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections.

Steve Russel

Steve Russell, executive director and vice president of the Michael and Sara Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections, is bringing an interesting topic to the table for this year’s TEDxBGSU.     

“My talk has a lot to do with this idea of partnering. Partnering is a collaborative thing by nature,” said Russell.

Will you be giving anyone flowers today?

The speech, titled “Will you be giving anyone flowers today?” is set to dive into the world of partnering, whether it’s with a close friend or a business prospect.

“There are instances where you can actually give flowers,” he said. “I look at some instances in my life where physically giving people flowers has impacted my ability to build a partnership.”

Partnerships don’t look one certain way, either. 

“One thing that I hope people can take away from this [his speech] is a basic reminder of what this process will look like,” said Russell. “That in any moment of your life, you’re thinking about creating a partnership.”

He said his speech aims to help create connections with personal friends, student organizations or business deals.

“I like the idea that what I might be able to share could help people build confidence,” he said.    

Russell’s speech is set for the 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. block.

Quan Le

Being an international student in the U.S. can be a scary venture. Bowling Green State University (BGSU) Graduate Assistant Quan Le knows this firsthand. 

Le said her experience as an international student at BGSU was challenging, but showed her she is not alone and encouraged her to share her story as a speaker at TEDxBGSU. 

“I hesitated to put my story out there,” Le said. “But I think that if I share my story and at least one other person finds it helpful, then that’s my goal.” 

How to Belong When You’re the Odd One Out

Le’s talk, “How to Belong When You’re the Odd One Out,” will take place during the “Share Your Story” portion of the event.  

“I think the way we truly achieve public good is through relationships,” said Kendra Lutes, one of the lead organizers of TEDxBGSU. “Part of relationships is knowing the stories of the people that matter to you.” 

Zachary Hayes, a recent BGSU graduate, has attended TEDxBGSU in previous years and plans to attend again this year. He said Le’s talk could potentially benefit many listeners.  

“Those of us that don’t have that experience don’t realize it can be quite hard for international students to make a connection in the community,” he said. “This topic is important for both those that are ‘the odd ones out’ and for people who want to help them fit in better.” 

Le also hopes her story will resonate with all types of people. 

“Even though it’s a story about an international student, the message is universal,” she said.

Sara Chambers

​When you think of the word ‘death’, what emotions does that bring to mind? For some, death brings feelings of sadness or fear, for others, regret and for some, comfort.

​Bowling Green State University (BGSU) alumni and hospice nurse, Sara Chambers, has a unique approach to death. After graduating from BGSU, Chambers moved to Seattle to pursue her nursing profession. 

Chambers is also an educator who speaks on multiple subjects. One of these is where she found herself back on BGSU’s campus where she was representing hospice for volunteer recruitment.

Death is Not a Dirty Word

While she was there, she noticed the opportunity to potentially be one of the TEDxBGSU speakers. It was right there that she said she knew this was an opportunity she had to take advantage of.

“I was very naïve going in,” stated Chambers. “I do a lot of public speaking, but not on this scale.”

In 2012, her best friend and cousin, Kenny, passed away due to injuries from a car accident.

​“After that, I could not go back to the bedside as an ICU nurse,” stated Chambers. “It took a psychological toll on me.”

​From her experiences as an ICU nurse to her current role as both a hospice nurse and an educator on a variety of subjects surrounding death, she has developed a relationship with death and grieving.

Chambers will present “Death is Not a Dirty Word” during the Reframe portion of the conference from 2 to 3 p.m.