North Park held its first TEDx event, Shifting Paradigms. Inspired by a lecture in a Principles of Management & Leadership course, Paul Clines, a senior business and economics major, presented the idea of hosting a TEDx to his professor. 鈥淚鈥檒l show you the steps in getting the TEDx license and you gather the students together,鈥� encouraged Professor Hubbard in mentoring Clines.
Seventy student volunteers formed the group. Likened to a start-up company, the leadership structure consisted of complete transparency, cross collaboration, and a deconstructed organizational design omitting conventional vertical lines of direct reports.
Passionate about bringing people and ideas together, Clines says TEDx is about making a positive impact. 鈥淭EDx provides a partial escapism while forming friendships, bonds, and connections,鈥� expresses Clines.
The event featured talks from students, faculty, and professionals. Speakers included:
- Soong-Chan Rah, seminary professor
- Hardik Soni, fitness guru
- Dominique Jordan Turner, nonprofit CEO
- Robby Celestin, singer-songwriter
- Nestor Gomez, storyteller