Aaron Cook '06, Medical Editor | Navigating college and starting a career arrives with challenges, opportunities and many questions. What would you tell your younger self to prepare for what you do not know? How to adjust? What are key recommendations or lessons you would like us to take away? Be ready to be enlightened.
Brian Cashdollar, Director of MU Cross Country/Track & Field | Coach Cashdollar will discuss his coaching philosophy, which has demonstrated remarkable success by setting achievable expectations with his athletes, with applications to the larger campus community.
Markus Gilliar, founder of Sports Agency (GES) and photojournalist presents his journey across his career as one of the most notable sports photographers. His presentation will highlight covering the Olympic Games, the World Cups across the past four decades. What does it take to reach such success in a very competitive career path?
Ella Brown, University of Michigan Researcher at Dian Fossey Gorrilla Fund Ella Brown will share the results of her NSF-funded research with wild male mountain gorillas; specifically, how male gorillas become silverbacks, and why individuals may mature at different rates. Her talk will feature original footage of wild mountain gorillas nearly 12,000ft high in the volcanoes of Rwanda. On a broader level, understanding how different primates grow and develop brings us closer to understanding our shared evolutionary lineage, and if these trends may (or may not) have been present in direct human ancestors. Â
Dr. Lizbette Ocasio-Russe, Professor of Creative Writing, Southern New Hampshire University | The power of comics and graphic novels and their role of problematizing canonic literature foregrounds Prof. Ocasio-Russe's presentation. Her webcomic Xcommunicada uses fictional storylines set in nonfictional places to critique heteropatriarchal hegemony that shaped political, economic, and social forces by colonizing and eradicating indigenous natives and their beliefs. Xcommunicada celebrates humanity and embraces diverse beliefs, as demonstrated by the protagonist who must get in touch with her ancestors’ native beliefs in order to defeat the evil plaguing her home.
Dr. Stacy Erickson-Pesetski, Professor of English & Associate Dean of Academic Affairs | Professor Stacy Erickson-Pesetski shares her experiences reading Shakespeare with incarcerated adults and juveniles in Indiana prisons and jails for the past 12 years. Stacy suggests that programs like this are an important and needed piece of the criminal justice system and gives evidence that they increase literacy; promote community; and offer emotional outlets for those recovering from trauma and addiction.
  Dr. Stacy Erickson-Pesetski, Professor of English & Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Clarke Staton, Chaplain Resident at Ascension St. Vincent, Indianapolis Clarke Staton will discuss his work as a hospital chaplain; a former youth pastor, he has completed three Clinical Pastoral Education units at Ascension St. Vincent’s Hospital system in Indianapolis, most recently serving as one of their select resident interns.Â
Tim Ruebke, Alternative Dispute Resolution Deployable Field Advisor Tim Ruebke will talk about his work as an alternative dispute resolution advisor (conflict mediator) for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for which he has deployed to over 40 different disaster response locations in the U.S.
Carmen Reno and Payton Elsrod | The two student nominees model ways to make best use of their Manchester Experience. Both graduates'26 serve to demonstrate what it means to becoming your best self. Coming from two different disciplines, Reno and Elsrod will share foundational values relevant for all students.
Becky Landes, Regional Value Chain Professional at Farmwise Indiana Becky Landes, a former school food service director with over 23 years of experience, will share insights from her career in child nutrition—including efforts to bring local farm produce into the Manchester Junior-Senior High School cafeteria—and discuss her current work supporting local food systems and promoting social responsibility in food supply chains.