Technology, Art and Design’s Second Annual TAD Talks set for April 28

April 14, 2016

Dr. M. James Bensen, president emeritus of Bemidji State University and a regionally renowned expert on visionary and innovative thinking, will present the keynote presentation at Bemidji State’s second annual TAD Talks, a series of presentations in the university’s Department of Technology, Art and Design featuring business and industry leaders from across the country.

TAD Talks, modeled after the famous TED Talks series, is a multi-disciplinary event featuring live presentations offering insight into issues involving technology, creativity, innovation and the entire process of life.

Presentations will begin at 5 p.m. April 28 in the Thompson Recital Hall of Bemidji State’s Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex. TAD Talks are open free to the public.

Dr. M. James Bensen was BSU’s eighth president, serving for seven years between 1994-2001, and is a BSU graduate with degrees in industrial education and physical education. After graduating from BSU, he went on to the University of Wisconsin-Stout to pursue his master’s degree in industrial education, administration, supervision and curriculum. Bensen received his doctorate from Pennsylvania State University in curriculum, administration and educational development in 1967. Prior to his presidency at Bemidji State, Bensen served as president at Dunwoody Institute, a private, non-profit school in Minneapolis. He had also served as the Dean of the School of Industry and Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. After retiring as BSU president in 2001, he was named president emeritus and continues to support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs. Since his retirement, he has remained intimately involved with the northern Minnesota region, serving on a number of foundations, boards and other organizational service opportunities and has become a regionally renowned speaker on subjects such as innovation, futurism and creative thinking.

Other presentations at this year’s TAD Talks include managing time and prioritizing projects, an explanation of the perfect pitch, skills needed by creative directors, and tips for approaching the subject of selling creative work and the importance of communication.

2016 TAD Talks lineup:

  • KEYNOTE: Dr. M. James Bensen, Bemidji State University president emeritus
  • Tom Frisby – executive vice president of design and marketing, Expotechnik, Orlando, Fla.; “It’s Not Your Design”
  • Samantha Nienow, presentation designer, Reddest Design, Bemidji, Minn.; “The Perfect Pitch: A Presentation about Presentations”
  • Nicole O’Leary, creative director, The Expo Group, Irving, Texas; “Beyond Design: Skills You’ll Need to Be a Creative Director”
  • John Repko, president, Pikahealth LLC, Denver, Colo.; “Spreadsheets for the New Millennium”
  • John Pavek, chief marketing officer, Exhibitor Media Group, Rochester, Minn.; “The Golden Ratio”
  • Lance Wachholz, president, E4 Design, Norcross, Ga.; “Avoid the School of Hard Knocks!”
  • Richard Mackenzie, chief executive officer, Mackenzie Exhibits, Ogden, Utah; “What Happens Now: Great… I Accepted a Job in a New City… Without my Mom!”
  • Chris Ybarra, creative director, and Abby Georgacopoulos, marketing manager, Lombard, Ill.; “Managing Time and Prioritizing Projects: The Stuff You Don’t Learn in School”
  • Sean Lynch, artist and designer, Bust Buy, St. Paul, Minn.; “Professional Youth”
  • Dane Giles, creative director, Exhibit, Maple Grove, Minn.; “Selling Your Work and the Importance of Communication”
  • Native American drum song
  • Al Belleveau, blacksmith, Rock Iron Art, Puposky, Minn.; “Rock Iron Art”

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