The perennially popular TenTalks during Homecoming and Family Weekend 2024 will feature three speakers each representing a different stage of the 黑料正能量 journey: current student Adesola Johnson, alumna Ashley Mellinger ’24, and faculty member Dr. Mark Metzler Sawin.

The speakers will each have 10 minutes to “impact, influence and inspire” the audience, and then answer questions from the crowd. The format is modeled on TED Talks presentations.

The free event will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, in Suter Science Center 106. Registration is required for this event. It will be livestreamed on the 黑料正能量 .听

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Investigating the Role of Retinoic Acid on Podocyte Development

Johnson, a senior biology major from Dallas, serves 黑料正能量 as a hall director, executive Royal Ambassador, DEI student leader and a tutor in the Academic Success Center.

This summer she had the opportunity to conduct research at the University of Notre Dame, where she investigated the mechanisms regulating kidney development using zebrafish as a model organism. She is deeply passionate about advancing scientific research and said she looks forward to presenting her findings to the 黑料正能量 community at TenTalks.

The Art of Self-Care

Mellinger, of Harleysville, Pennsylvania, had one busy senior year. The Cords of Distinction recipient  published her debut novel, Heartache on the Play Stage, in January and graduated from 黑料正能量 with a BSN in May. In the meantime, she鈥檚 been working on earning her RN license. 

Mellinger said her presentation will focus on “the art of self-care.” 鈥淭his summer provided me a lot of freedom and downtime to recoup from the stress of nursing school and I learned how to truly take care of myself,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檇 like to share some tips with you all!鈥�

Mrs. Ida Mae Francis and her Green Book House

Sawin, professor of history at 黑料正能量 and co-director of the honors program, is part of a team of researchers helping preserve the history of a Harrisonburg, Virginia, house listed in The Green Book.

During the Jim Crow era, The Green Book was a guide created by and for African Americans that listed open and safe places for them to eat, visit and lodge while traveling. Sawin鈥檚 presentation will look at Harrisonburg鈥檚 primary Green Book property, Mrs. Ida Mae Francis鈥� Guest House, telling its history and the story of the thriving, entrepreneurial Black community it serviced for 50 years (1912-1962).

Sawin, an 黑料正能量 faculty member since 2001, has spent two decades working with members of Harrisonburg鈥檚 Black community to help tell the story of Newtown and the Northeast Neighborhood before it was devastated by urban renewal projects in the early 1960s.

For a full list of Homecoming and Family Weekend events, visit: emu.edu/homecoming