If University Freshman Kyle Morgan had to decide on one thing to be passionate about, he would have a difficult time deciding between helping others and building computer software.
Morgan is not one of the 20 community members speaking at TEDxUIdaho Saturday. He has, however, played an instrumental role in making the event happen.
“I”m the technical director,” Morgan said. “I guess my title suggests that I oversee all the technical aspects of TEDxUIdaho.”
TEDxUIdaho is an entirely student-led event that will showcase the ideas of people within the community, Morgan said. The event will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in the Administration Building Auditorium.
Morgan said he could not divulge the specific names of the speakers, but he said the topics they will address will encompass a wide range from the struggles to become a nicer person to an evaluation of how our society addresses race and identity. He said because the event was put together by student volunteers, the ideas were chosen based on what issues students think the community should hear more about.
“We”re members of the community, so we know what we want to see in the community,” he said. “So knowing that we can better represent who we put on stage and what kinds of things are going to matter.”
The speakers have prepared for this event for about six months, Morgan said. As technical director, he helped with multiple aspects including building the event”s website and working with speakers to revise their speeches. He said the current head of the event Graduate Student Yvonne Nyavor told him she wants him to lead the event next year, with her as more of a second in command.
Though Morgan said he enjoys watching TED Talks, he has no idea what he would talk about if he ever had the chance to do one himself.
“Maybe I should think about that,” Morgan said.
Erin Bamer can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @ErinBamer