The Passion to be Strikingly Different: Ronald Hickland at TEDxPurdueU 2014

Ronald Hickland, Jr. serves as the Manager of Technology at Ebonite International. In this role, he works daily to impact the ever-changing fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Ron inspires youth and young adults to seek studies and careers in STEM through his various national public speaking roles, as well as community engagement and interaction. He found engineering to be his passion early at the age of 15 when he developed a keen interest in bowling, took a job at a pro shop drilling bowling balls and studied their motion. Ron believes that seeking education inside and outside of the classroom helps you become a global citizen and a great contributor to society.

B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, 2001

More information at www.tedxpurdueu.com

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)