Theme: 2020 Seeing Beyond

“Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.” – Albert Einstein
Since the dawn of time, human minds have been working to cultivate our world. As new civilizations emerged and cultures evolved, innovative practices came to light and ideas worth sharing flourished. When our team selected this theme in January, we were unaware of the future pandemic and other troubles our world would have to face. Looking at the past and living in the present, the question persists: “Where do we go from here?”
We still believe that in this new decade, an endless fountain of opportunity awaits us.
We journey past the known and comfortable, expanding our perceptions. We create visions for our future, shaping the way the world works.
Beyond our world, beyond our understanding, anything is possible.
TEDxAustinCollege 2020: Seeing Beyond

Austin College, Ida Green Communication Center | Sally & Jim Nation Theatre
1311 E. Brockett
Sherman, Texas, 75090
United States

Betsy Furler

CEO of For All Abilities, Austin College graduate

Betsy Walling Furler has pivoted her training as a speech pathologist into a career in tech, figuring out how to help make technology accessible for people with divers abilities. Shas has seen time and again that the "dis" abilities people have are really the differences that help them stand above the rest. Betsy believes that our differences are our superpowers, and will challenge us to adopt the attitude when thinking about others and ourselves

Brittnay Connor

Dallas ISD teacher, Fulbright Scholar, Austin College graduate

Brittnay Connor will tell us the truth about “these kids” and “those teachers” we are always hearing about in the media. The truth is that kids and teachers in even the most difficult circumstances are resilient, innovative, and working harder than we know. Brittnay will offer some advice on how we can meaningfully support teachers and kids in the public education system.

David Whelan

Austin College Physics Faculty

David Whelan Ph.D. loves contemplating the mysteries of space - mysterious even to him, a professional Astronomer and Professor of Physics. In his talk, David offers useful comparisons for how small our planet is in the context of our solar system and galaxy, and why the sun is truly our lone star.

Mack Bolen

Austin College student, Neuroscience major

Mack is no stranger to traumatic brain injury, having experienced a series of concussions that left her having to relearn how to walk and read. Now a student of Neuroscience, Mack will help us understand what happens to a person's brain when they experience a brain injury.

Timothy Crossley

Mesquite ISD teacher, coach, graduate of Austin College

Tim Crossley believes it is fear – fear of the unknown, and fear of failure – that prevents people from achieving their dreams. For Tim, there is no greater teacher than his time on the football field. He will share some personal experiences with fear, and how he used it as a motivator instead of letting it be something that held him back.