Theme: Ignite

What ignites change in the lives of millions? Is it the innovation and intellect of an individual, or is it a combined cultural value to revolutionize for the future, while embracing our past? Is it fostered within our subconscious, or is it motivated through our interactions with the physical world around us? What ignites your passion to change the world around you? We know what ignites ours.

LaSells Stewart Center
875 SW 26th Street
Corvallis, Oregon, 97331
United States

Chinyere Tutashinda

Communication, media & social justice

Educate. Motivate. Inspire. Change the World. This is the philosophy Chinyere Tutashinda lives by. Whether it is traveling to Mexico to document the injustices in the 2006 Presidential elections through film, participating as a Co-Facilitator on the Oakland Mayors' Youth Violence Task Force, traveling to Ferguson in October 2014 to facilitate black direct action trainings, or teaching middle school students media activism, Chinyere uses her education and dedication for the community in all that she does. With a BA in Journalism and an MA in Media Activism, Chinyere is committed to igniting change all around her.

Chris Barnes

Associate Professor of Business

Christopher M. Barnes is an Associate Professor of Management in the Foster School of Business of the University of Washington. His research examines human sustainability issues, especially the relationship between sleep and work. His research has been published in top tier management and psychology journals, such as Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Applied Psychology, and Psychological Science. This work has been covered by a variety of mass media outlets, such as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, BBC World News, Forbes, BusinessWeek, Financial Times, and NPR. He is also a blogger for both Harvard Business Review and Huffington Post.

Habiba Addo

Teacher and performer

Habiba Addo is a native of Ghana and a guest teacher and performer for Portland Public Schools. She has performed and taught dance, rhythm and stories from Ghana, Guinea, Gambia and Senegal, in the United States and internationally for over fifteen years. She also educates on the rich African cultures present today in Cuba and Brazil. Through her years of educating and performing, Habiba has been affiliated with many notable local and national organizations, including: Young Audiences, White Bird, the Oregon Ballet Theater and the Northwest Afrikan American Ballet, as well as the Milagro Bailadores and the Portland State University World Dance Office. She is a recipient of the Lila Jewel award, as well as the Arts Alive grant and multiple technical assistant grants from the Regional Arts and Culture Council.

Jonathan Hurst

Professor of Robotics

Jonathan W. Hurst is an Associate Professor of Robotics in the School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering at Oregon State University, as well as the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Agility Robotics. He holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering, and both an M.S. and Ph.D. in robotics, all from Carnegie Mellon University. His university research focuses on understanding the fundamental science and engineering best practices for legged locomotion. Investigations range from numerical studies and analysis of animal data, to simulation studies of theoretical models, to designing, constructing, and experimenting with legged robots for walking and running.

Kyle Hart

Author and blogger

Since he can remember, Kyle Hart has enjoyed listening to the stories and feelings of others, whether that be a triumph, a frustration, or somewhere in between. Kyle is a children's book author and illustrator living in Portland, Oregon. Kyle has received recognition for breaking down difficult social issues in his writing through humor, honesty, and passion to help his readers pursue personal development by realizing how powerful and capable they truly are. His books, The Mustache that Cured World Hunger and The Beard that Boosted Self Confidence creatively facilitate conversations around societal problems; each contribute 50 percent of their proceeds to the Oregon Food Bank and Albertina Kerr. Kyle also writes motivational nonfiction for adults on several online platforms in an effort to inspire both children and adults to pursue their ideal life. Kyle graduated from Oregon State University in 2013.