2017 Speaker Reunion & Reveal Recap

Words by Kathleen McShane

On November 7, TEDxLSU announced its 2017 speakers at Walk-On’s Bistreaux and Bar among speakers and community friends. Past speakers joined the celebration, offering their wisdom and advice, while current speakers relished in the excitement of contributing to the 2017 lineup. This year, TEDxLSU explores the theme of chain reaction, asking the Baton Rouge community to consider the magnitude of possibilities that spring from a single idea, however big or small. TEDxLSU 2017 speakers include innovators from various entertainment, education, technology, science and culture fields, and are hard at work developing what promises to be an inspirational experience on March 11.
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Check out the gallery below to spot familiar faces, new friends, and our TEDxLSU team members working behind the scenes.

Creative Communication Team members Andres Amador and Caroline Sukkar have fun setting up the check-in table. Photo Credit: Lily LaGrange

Creative Communication Team members Samantha Camarda, Jamie Leung, and Kathleen McShane game plan the evening as they await the arrival of speakers. Photo Credit: Lily LaGrange

TEDxLSU friend Margaret Moore, past speaker Mary Stein, and co-organizer Annemarie Galeucia discuss their favorite TED and TEDx experiences. Photo Credit: Ian Andrepont

2017 speaker Chris Dykes and past speaker Garrett Graves spread ideas of their own. Photo Credit: Ian Andrepont

2017 speaker Howard Hall, graphic designer by day and comedian by night, effortlessly entertains Jeremy Harper, a TEDxLSU creative communication team mentor. Photo Credit: Ian Andrepont

Past speaker Dustin LaFont shares memories of his talk experience with 2017 speaker Naci Mocan and TEDxLSU friend Kelly Bienn. Photo Credit: Lily LaGrange

2017 speaker Quiana Lynell and TEDxLSU friend David Harris in deep conversation about the evening’s reveal. Photo Credit: Ian Andrepont

TEDxLSU supporter Bowman Guttner and past speaker Ginger Guttner take part in lively conversation. Photo Credit: Lily LaGrange

Past Speaker Silky Slim Reed reviews the TEDxLSU 2017 speaker lineup. Photo Credit: Lily LaGrange

TEDxLSU co-organizers Melissa Thompson, Rebecca Burdette, and Annemarie Galeucia toast past and present TEDxLSU speakers. Photo Credit: Lily LaGrange

Guests raise their glasses to celebrate ideas worth sharing. Photo Credit: Ian Andrepont

TEDxLSU 2017 speakers Cynthia Peterson and Tiffany Stewart pose for a picture with past speakers Amanda Staiano and Jacqueline Stephens. Photo Credit: Ian Andrepont

Creative Communication Team members Chelsea Leblanc and Kimberly Gagnet record speakers and volunteers giving their testimonial of memories and excitement about TEDxLSU. Photo Credit: Lily LaGrange

Past speaker Pat Fellows shares what excites him the most about being part of the TEDxLSU community. Photo credit: Ian Andrepont

2017 and past speakers of TEDxLSU come together for a group photo. Photo Credit: Ian Andrepont

2017 TEDxLSU Speakers:
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Tiffany Stewart, Clinical Psychologist
Chancelier “Xero” Skidmore, Teaching Artist
Chris Dykes, Technology and Idea Enthusiast
Cynthia Peterson, Creative Science Catalyst
Sandra Parks, Artistic Interpreter and Choreographer
Gaby González, Cosmic Groundbreaker
Howard Hall, Laugh Maker and Mentor
Lauren Pharr, Bird-loving Forensic Scientist
Naci Mocan, Economic Trend Spotter
Ahsennur Soysal, Citizen Science Cultivator
Jay Ducote, Culinary Connoisseur
Quiana Lynell, Vocalist and Community Agent
Wayne Newhauser, Medical Physicist and 3D Pioneer

Click here to read more about our 2017 lineup. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat @tedxlsu to keep up with our speakers all year.