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Sean Kirst, is among nine speakers at this year's TEDx Syracuse University series. Kirst, a columnist for Syracuse.com and The Post-Standard, is pictured above prior to being inducted onto the Syracuse Press Club's Wall of Distinction on Saturday, May 3, 2014.

(Mike McAndrew | mmcandrew@syracuse.com )

Syracuse University's TED Talks series announced its nine speakers for this year's event on Monday.

TEDx Syracuse University takes place Friday, April 17 from 5-7 p.m. at the university's Watson Theater.

This year's speakers are:

Charisse L'Pree, assistant professor of communications at SU

Bill Jensen, Futurist and Management Consultant

Hailey Temple, senior public relations and information management and technology major

Doug Mellville (SU '98), Chief Diversity Officer of TBWA, North America

Ronald Taylor, senior political science and policy studies major

Derek Grassman, CEO of Kohilo Wind

Petra Kolber, Founder of Moving to Happiness

Domingo Zapata, Contemporary Artist

Sean Kirst, Syracuse.com / Post-Standard columnist

TED Talks arose from conferences bringing together people from the world of design, education and technology in the 1980s. The event will feature a series of lectures about a variety of topics meant to engage and enlighten listeners.

Syracuse's talks are part of TEDx -- local, independently organized events based on a community. The organization will be posting information about each of the speakers on its Facebook page in the coming days.