Mark Pampanin never spoke a word for the first year of his life. Just when his parents began to worry, he started talking—and he hasn’t stopped since. After growing up performing, writing, and working in politics in the Northeast, Pampanin moved to Southern California to study political science and Spanish at Chapman University.

When Pampanin first discovered Chapman’s Speech and Debate team in 2012, he mistook it for a general education class on public speaking. It turned out to be one of the best mistakes he’s ever made, and in one year he went from novice competitor to national champion.

Aside from speaking up a storm Pampanin enjoys writing one, too. As opinions editor for The Panther, Chapman’s independent student-run newspaper, he uses his weekly column to generate discussion and find meaning among his fellow twenty-somethings. Pampanin has also served as a Resident Advisor for Chapman’s Office of Housing and Residence life.

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)

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