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The MUSE Keynote Event:

A Decade of Opportunity, Inspiration, and Shared Experience

Since its founding in 2010, MUSE has been devoted to providing University of Utah students with stand-out experiences and events designed to connect them with other students, exceptional faculty, and distinguished national guests.  Such events not only enrich students' personal and academic lives at the time, but they remain as powerful memories for students as they complete their time at the University and enter the next phase of their lives.  For the culminating event of each academic year, MUSE has been honored to welcome the inspirational figures below as keynote speakers who address and meet with students at the University of Utah.

2021-22: REBUILDING

George Takei

George Takei 

Actor, activist for Asian-American and LGBTQ+ rights, and author of They Called Us Enemy

 

2021-22: REBUILDING

Chris Wilson

Chris Wilson

Entrepreneur, artist, social-justice advocate, and author of The Master Plan: My Journey from a Life in Prison to a Life of Purpose

2020-21: RESILIENCE

Sarah Outen

Sarah Outen 

Athlete, adventurer, and author of Dare to Do: Taking on the Planet by Bike and Boat

 

2019-20: VISION

Jimmy Chin and Chai Vasarhelyi

Chai Vasarhelyi
& Jimmy Chin 

Vasarhelyi: Director
Chin: Director, photographer, and climber

2018-19: PURPOSE

Vice President Joe Biden

Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

46th President of the United States, 47th Vice President of the United States, and author of Promise Me, Dad

2017-18: EMPOWERMENT

Dr. Knatokie Ford

Knatokie Ford

Biomedical scientist and Senior Science Advisor in the Obama Administration

 

2017-18: EMPOWERMENT

Margot Lee Shetterly

Margot Lee Shetterly

Author of Hidden Figures

2017-18: EMPOWERMENT

Dr. Ellen Stofan

Ellen Stofan

Director of the National Air and Space Museum and former NASA Chief Scientist

2016-17: OPTIMISM

Brandon Stanton

Brandon Stanton

Creator of Humans of New York

 

2015-16: COMMUNITY

Congressman John Lewis

John Lewis

Congressman from Georgia's 5th District, Civil Rights icon, and author of March trilogy

 

2014-15: JUSTICE

SCJ Sonia Sotomayor

Sonia Sotomayor

U.S. Supreme Court Justice and author of My Beloved World

2013-14: CITIZENSHIP

Wes Moore

Wes Moore

Entrepreneur, combat veteran, and author of The Other Wes Moore

 

Last Updated: 5/31/22