The inaugural conference featured 15 speakers, including Mayor Stephanie Miner, with ideas worth spreading.
The first TEDx Syracuse University conference, held on April 9 in the Newhouse School, left students feeling inspired and hopeful.
“It was awesome. I can’t think of another word for it,” said Brian Deaver, a first-year law student at SU. “It’s incredible.”
TED, which stands for technology, entertainment and design, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to spreading “ideas worth sharing.” Since 1984, the organization has hosted speaker events to encourage audience members to see the world differently.
The short-story author and SU professor appeared to talk and sign books at a local bookstore
A clear consensus emerged among the fans of prolific author George Saunders after his April 26 book signing and lecture at the Eerie Blvd. Barnes & Noble: he is an incredibly funny man. When he read out-loud a selection from "Victory Lap" –- the first short stories from the critically acclaimed collection Tenth of December (2013) –- his exaggerated mimicry and comical voice inflections amused audience members. The cherry-topper of the evening came when Saunders fielded questions from the crowd, sharing hilarious anecdotes on writing and life.