TEDx – 2015

TedX_short

Our first TEDx event was held on Saturday, October 17, 2015. Below are the speakers at the first conference and links to their talks on the TEDx YouTube Channel.

  • Ken Klemow – Public reaction to science for shale gas development: Can we get to a better place?
    Prof. Ken Klemow explores the public reaction to the science of hydraulic fracturing and explains how we can evaluate good science and not let passion prevent a fair evaluation of objective scientific evidence.

    Ken Klemow is a professor at Wilkes University and holds a joint appointment in the departments of Biology and GeoEnvironmental Science.

  • Maya van Rossum – A healthy Delaware River: Protecting it for the generations.
    What does it take to protect the environment? Delaware Riverkeeper Maya Van Rossum makes the case that a clean environment is a fundamental right. In Pennsylvania that right is embedded in the state constitution’s Bill of Rights, a necessary first step toward protection. She examines the impact of hydraulic fracturing on Pennsylvania and the importance of citizens defending their constitutional and legal rights.

    Maya van Rossum is the Delaware Riverkeeper and leads the Delaware Riverkeeper Network (DRN). She heads a team of dedicated staff and volunteers who monitor the River and all of its tributaries for threats and challenges, and who then take this information and advocate, educate and litigate for protection, restoration and change.

  • Heidi Secord – Every meal counts: Growing a sustainable food system.
    Farmer Heidi Secord describes her career as a local farmer and work with Community Supported Agriculture. We all vote for the quality of our food in how we choose to spend our food dollars, and every meal counts.

    Heidi Secord operates the 48-acre Josie Porter Farm that supports the Cherry Valley CSA on land leased from a local municipality. After receiving a degree in Business Management, Heidi spent three years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali, West Africa, where she worked with women’s cooperatives and learned about subsistence farming.

  • Holly Corcoran – Enduring passion, endurance horseback riding and life’s lessons.
    A passion for the sport of endurance horseback riding became a way to overcome grief and adversity for the speaker. She describes her deep connection with her partner horses and the life lessons she has learned.

    Holly Corcoran is a Certified Public Accountant and a partner in her firm. She is also a passionate endurance equestrian rider and trainer. She has developed a deep connection with her equine partners and competed in national and international endurance competitions.

  • Michael Liberman – The necessity of Herm (A grammar matter).
    An entertaining discussion on changes in the English language, illustrated by the growing need for a gender-neutral third person singular personal pronoun. The speaker modestly proposes a new word: Herm.

    Michael Liberman is a professor emeritus of English from East Stroudsburg University. His wide-ranging interests include Shakespeare, grammar, and the history of the English language.

Direct Links:

Ken Klemow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfo_fFy_bB8
Maya Van Rossum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih-xPwoYBh8
Heidi Secord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWUoFrCi6r0
Holly Corcoran: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXnAdnk3MKs
Michael Liberman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg1QMg8Pxqc