Theme: Roots and Wings

This is the inaugural TEDxSVSU, showcasing "ideas worth spreading" of local thinkers and creators.

To purchase tickets, call SVSU Sponsored Programs at (989) 964-4295. Pay in advance by credit card or by check. The cost is $25 and includes coffee breaks and lunch at Doan Marketplace.

There will be two types of presentations, speakers and exhibitors. Speakers will present their talks from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. See: TEDxSVSU Speaker List

Exhibits will be on display during registration, 8:00 am to 9:00 am, and during morning and afternoon coffee breaks. Exhibits are booth-style displays of novel local technology, entertainment and design implementations. Exhibitors can include sponsoring corporations, students or local technologists or artisans. The purpose of exhibits is to give the audience a chance to see and experience things that they would not normally have exposure to either in daily life or even in college classes. See: TEDxSVSU Exhibit List

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To volunteer or for more information, please contact: George Corser, TEDxSVSU Organizer

Saginaw Valley State University
7400 Bay Road
University Center, Michigan
United States

Basil Clark

Dr. Basil Clark is Professor Emeritus of English at Saginaw Valley State University. Dr. Clark has his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University and recently retired from SVSU after forty years of service. He taught a wide variety of English composition, language, and literature courses, with a particular interest in Old and Middle English literature. He is editor of the first volume of SVSU history, The Early and Formative Years, and contributing editor to the second, The Years of Growth and Maturity.

Darnell Jackson

Darnell Jackson is a Circuit Court Judge, informational speaker and nationwide presenter for the National Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence. He is the author of the acclaimed book The Steps of A Good Man, which provides practical and proven methods for dealing with the challenges and setbacks of life. His philosophy is, “I have an obligation to those who hear me speak to provide them with something of significance that they didn’t have before.”

Frank Hall

Dr. Frank R. Hall joined Saginaw Valley State University as Dean, College of Science Engineering & Technology in June 2015. He brings a broad set of experiences in scientific research, education, and policy; and worked in academia, federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations on STEM related issues. Prior to coming to SVSU, Frank was a member of the Working Group to define STEM for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, working to establish a definition beyond the acronym.

Franz Schneider

Franz Schneider, CEO Humantech, is a prominent authority on what organizations must do to get the best from their people. His client list is comprised of the world's most influential as well as profitable companies. A speaker at literally thousands of events, his humor and talent to make the complex usable has warmed audiences on six continents; Antarctica is still on his bucket list. Franz’s TEDx presentation will focus on three criteria every organization must embrace to close the gap between “what people can do if they are inspired and the least they do not to get fired.”

Jason Pockrandt

Jason Pockrandt is a fatherlessness expert, Transformation Coach, motivational speaker, and author. He is also the founder of Live To Give where he spends most of his days coaching fatherless men to become the husbands and fathers they were created to be. He has spoken for institutions such as Power of Dad, Teen Challenge, Bay Arenac ISD, The Rock Center for Youth Development and Good Samaritan Rescue Mission. His TEDx talk will inspire and motivate fathers around the world to re-evaluate their choices and the lives they are leading. Asking them the question. Will you choose today to become the father he couldn’t be and live a legacy worth leaving in your family and community? The choice is yours and the opportunity for change is now.

Joshua Smith

Team leader of the 4th all-time highest-ranked team on the largest super computing research project Folding@Home. Developer of a secure currency earned by doing research. Respected strategic visionary for IoT (Internet of Things).

Kate Cardinali

Kate Cardinali, the owner of Innovative Media & Design, is avid about propelling companies, creating success stories through engaging design and marketing solutions. In the midst of this, Kate is an active mother of three children under 5 years old who still finds time to lend a supportive hand by volunteering for local non-profit organizations and events.

Margaret Arnold

Margaret Arnold is a Safe Patient Handling and Early and Progressive Mobility Consultant, and owner of Inspire Outcomes LLC. She also continues to practice Physical Therapy at McLaren-Bay Region, in Bay City, Michigan. Margaret has over 20 years of experience as a PT, specializing in back injury prevention, industrial rehabilitation and ergonomics.

Mike Mosher

Mike Mosher is a Professor, Art/Communication Media Administration at Saginaw Valley State University. Artist, adventurer and educator, his books include Creating Web Graphics, Audio & Video (2002, with Roger Shepard), two textbooks published in Japan (2005, 2008, with Noriko Uosaki) that teach English via rock and pop song lyrics, and illustrations for David Smith's cartoon biography Orwell for Beginners (1984). Before he came to SVSU in 2000 from California, Mike had been a community muralist for the San Francisco Art Commission, and a Senior Graphic Designer at Apple.

Tracy Weber

Tracy Weber, Ph.D. is a recognized leader in equine-assisted learning (EAL), a university professor, an author, and entrepreneur. In addition to her state-of-the art facility in Michigan, she has facilitated EAL learning programs throughout the world, including Dubai, Croatia, Puerto Rico and several states in the US. Her engaging presentation will prompt spirited dialogue about humans becoming more horse-like.