The Oxford dictionaries define rebellion as “resisting authority, control or convention.”
It also can mean arguing in the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn California’s same-sex marriage ban or forging a path in global journalism as a young, female Libyan-American, according to George Washington University senior Brian Doyle.
That’s why Mr. Doyle and a team of 43 GW students curated a roster of 20 speakers for the fourth annual TEDxFoggyBottom who embody the spirit of the theme: “Be Rebellious.”
“We thought about our organization and what we stand for, and it came down to encouraging people to challenge the status quo,” Mr. Doyle said. “We didn’t choose ‘think rebellious,’ we chose ‘be rebellious.’ It’s really a challenge to ourselves and the speakers to push to be on the cutting edge of our fields and help people in a unique way.”
#OnlyatGW: Ian Tang from The George Washington University on Vimeo.
The TED-style conference is April 3 at the Lisner Auditorium. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online.
The student-run conference boasts an impressive lineup, including featured speakers Ted Olson—former United States solicitor general and assistant attorney general—and his wife Lady Booth Olson—founder of consulting firm LEB, LLC and medical services and equipment company Meridian Home Medical, LLC. Noor Tagouri, who leveraged her social media savvy to become a CBS Radio and CTV journalist, and Wytold, a musician who plays an electric cello, also will take the stage.
Other notable speakers include Colonials—Mary Ellsberg, founder and director of GW Global Women’s’ Institute, and GW freshmen Priyanka Wadgaonkar and Zainab Mahmood, who won the 2013 National Siemens Competition in Math Science and Technology.
Attendees will be able to meet and talk with speakers and take part in interactive exhibits on the third floor of the Marvin Center between four sessions. New this year, the self-described “renegade tour guides” behind Museum Hack will lead attendees through the newly opened George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum.
“We’ve grown a lot as an organization—our videos have closed in on a million views—but we’re still focused on quality,” Mr. Doyle said. “This is not an event to come and watch people, it is about interacting so that the ideas our speakers share, can live on.”
Check out more details on a few dynamic speakers below.
Mary Ellsberg
Mary Ellsberg joined the George Washington University in 2012 as the founding director of the Global Women’s Institute. Under her direction, GWI has supported the advancement of gender equality through the launch of the United Nations “He for She” campaign, the “I Am Malala” resource guide for educators and other initiatives.
Priyanka Wadgaonkar and Zainab Mahmood
As high school seniors, GW freshman Priyanka Wadgaonkar and Zainab Mahmood won the 2013 National Siemens Competition in Math Science and Technology. Now, the Women’s Leadership Program participants are continuing their research with Mathew Kay, an associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Danny Metcalf
Danny Metcalf is social entrepreneur with a focus on healthy living. He made his mark as the founder of the free fitness movement, the November Project DC, and cofounder of Mission Bars, a national nutrition bar company.
George Rice III
George Rice III is the associate director of the Multicultural Student Services Center and the CEO of Triple Threat Enterprises, LLC, an empowerment agency. Mr. Rice uses skills gained from his more than 15 years of experience as a basketball coach to encourage others to succeed.
Alex Thier
Alex Thier has served as an advisor to Oxfam, the United Nations and International Crisis Group and currently leads policy development and other strategic initiatives at the U.S. Agency for International Development. He has worked internationally in many arenas including helping Afghanistan develop a process for establishing a judicial system following the end of Taliban-rule.