Theme: (un)focus

When we meet other people during our time at college, we often only get to know their name, hometown and major. TEDxDrakeU serves as a platform to see beyond that generic introduction and hear intriguing stories and experiences by community members.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa, 50311
United States

Christopher Kliethermes

Christopher Kliethermes earned a B.S. in Psychology and Biology from Lincoln University, and a Ph.D. Behavioral Neuroscience from Oregon Health & Science University. His primary areas of study are behavior genetics and neuropharmacology. He currently teaches introductory psychology, introduction to neuroscience, research methods in neuroscience, behavior genetics, and neurochemistry at Drake University.

Ethan Turner

Ethan is a sophomore radio and television producing and writing major at Drake University. During his high school carreer, he co-founded the League of Gentlemen, a societal brotherhood living by a Creed founded upon equality, equity, and liberation of the mind.

Joey Gale

Lee Jolliffe

Lee Joliffe, currently teaching journalism classes at Drake University, holds a B.A. in English and Journalism from Lindenwood College, a master’s degree from the Ohio State University in Humanities Education and a Ph.D. from Ohio University in Mass Communication. She has written over 80 academic articles, book chapters, papers, and presentations for American Periodicals, Journalism Quarterly, Journalism Educator, Journal of Popular Culture, Journalism History, and other venues.

Sam Fathallah

Sam is a First Year Student at Drake, majoring in Advertising with a minor in Chemistry. He is the photographer and multimedia editor of Drake magazine and part of the Student Senate PR team and D+ Improv Troupe. For the last 7 years, he has been expressing himself through film and photography. http://www.samfathallah.com/