TEDx

Notes from the TEDxCarrollUniversity Stage: Strength in Community

In October 2022, Carroll University hosted its inaugural TEDxCarrollUniversity event in Shattuck Auditorium. When the event was first announced, tickets sold quickly. The auditorium was filled to capacity for this public, in-person event. Speakers from near and far brought unique ideas – from Carroll faculty and alumni to business leaders in the extended metropolitan Milwaukee area.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, the nonprofit organization TED (technology, entertainment and design) created TEDx – an independently organized TED program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Thus, the university’s signature event soon became TEDxCarrollUniversity.

Together, eight speakers explored a range of topics centering around the theme: Strength in Community. The TEDx speakers shared stories about how communities can lean on each other for support, in good times and bad.

Subject matter ranged from embracing travel to living intentionally. Carroll alumnus Kyle Johann-Baker ‘14 told a story about how a simple thing like sharing pizza on a farm can build community, while Justin Jasniewski ‘13 spoke to how community can be a useful tool to help combat the opioid epidemic.

Rebecca Imes, chair for the department of communication and sociology at Carroll, spoke to the power of teamwork in the workplace, and Milwaukee County Executive Daivd Crowley focused on how to achieve equity through community building. No matter the topic, the audience always responded with a resounding applause.

In preparation for the event, dozens of Carroll employees volunteered to be part of various committees, managing tasks like marketing, sponsorships, media production, event operations, speaker selection and speaker coaching.

“Carroll’s faculty and staff volunteered a tremendous amount of time to make this wonderful event happen,” said President Cindy Gnadinger. “It took months of preparation, and we are grateful for all their hard work, which resulted in an outstanding TEDx event for Carroll.”

TEDxCarrollUniversity committee members used the event as an opportunity to try something outside of their wheelhouse. There was also a lot of teamwork across Carroll’s different departments and schools – a theater student from Carroll even emceed the event.

“It was great to be involved with a campus event like this because it brought Carroll together with the wider community, to share different ideas in a positive way,” said Lennis Mathews, lead organizer for the event and art director for the university’s marketing and communications department.

The university hopes to make this an annual event.

JANNSEN ‘ 11 NAMED HEAD MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH

Taylor Jannsen ‘11 has been named permanent head men’s basketball coach at Carroll University, after serving as interim head coach last season.

“After a competitive national search, I am thrilled to welcome Coach Jannsen aboard as our next head men’s basketball coach,” said Michael Schulist, athletic director. “Coach Jannsen impressed everyone during his interim tenure, and after the interview process, it was clear he is the ideal fit for the position. Coach Jannsen’s passion, commitment, and knowledge of Carroll basketball is unmatched.”

Jannsen was named the interim head men’s basketball coach two games into the Pioneers’ 2022-23 season. Jannsen opened with a newer, faster style of play, and got the Pioneers to an 8thplace finish in the CCIW, winning three of their final four conference games. Carroll shot 34.4% behind the arc this past season, making eight three-pointers per CCIW game, the third most in the conference.

Carroll also finished second and third in the conference in steals per game and blocks per game, respectively.

Following his collegiate basketball career at Carroll in 2011, Jannsen started PMax Basketball where he worked with numerous athletes ranging from youth up to the professional ranks. In addition to player development for individuals and teams, Jannsen has over 12 years of head coaching experience in some of Wisconsin’s top AAU organizations. In addition, Jannsen has authored two books and has conducted public speaking engagements for schools, charitable organizations, and small and large businesses.

In his four years as a member of the Carroll men’s basketball team, Jannsen appeared in 71 total games, including 21 in 2009-10. He averaged 6.4 points per game and 2.6 assists per game during his senior season as the team captain. Jannsen shot just under 50% from the floor and over 36% from three. Jannsen graduated in 2011 with a degree in exercise science.

THE REV. ELIZABETH McCORD FOR CHRIST AND LEARNING

For Christ and Learning is the English translation of “Christo et Litteris,” Carroll University’s motto