MSUM hosts fifth annual Speak Up event Feb. 21
Featuring talks about re-framing your perspective
MSUM will host Speak Up, an event featuring talks from students and alumni focused on the theme of re-framing. The event will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Comstock Memorial Union Ballroom. The event is free to the public and will also be live-streamed on the official MSUM YouTube channel.
Five speakers will give eight-to-ten-minute talks on how they have re-framed their perspectives on life and challenges they have faced. Attendees will be encouraged to think of obstacles in their own lives and new ways to view them.
The event will include a variety of other performances, including a nationally touring spoken word artist and student musicians from MSUM.
About the speakers
- Emily Lauinger is a digital marketing specialist at MSUM and a 2020 graduate with a degree in advertising and public relations. The Jamestown, N.D., native will share the story of her multiple sclerosis diagnosis and the perspective shift it created.
- Chloe Flynn is an MSUM sophomore from Saint Louis Park, Minn., majoring in social work. She will discuss the importance of building community in her life.
- Nathan Wright is a 2009 graduate of MSUM from Fargo. In 2020, he returned to MSUM to pursue an education degree. He will speak about re-framing the idea of following a set path in life.
- Chelsea Mae is an MSUM freshman from Waubun, Minn. The English education major will discuss re-framing how people view individuals in the foster system and the potential for people to rise above their experiences.
- Melanie Roedl is an early childhood education major from Balaton, Minn., in her final year at MSUM. She will share the skills she has learned as an education major to remain positive in difficult situations.
About the emcee
- Asia Samson is a nationally renowned spoken word artist who will share original works throughout the evening.
About the event
Speak Up was created by MSUM students who wanted to share ideas and inspire others. Much like a TEDx event, Speak Up features speakers sharing an idea they are passionate about. This year’s theme was chosen by a committee of MSUM students and staff. Re-framing encourages the audience to challenge their ideas and perspectives. From the speakers’ talks, audience members will be inspired to make a change in their own lives.