The 2026 Ignite Lincoln event — presented by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues, The Foundry and Firespring Foundation — will feature 11 individual speakers and six local nonprofits sharing stories and ideas to spark imagination, inspire, educate and build community. The public event is 6:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at Lincoln’s Rococo Theatre, 140 N. 13th St.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students with code “STUDENT5.” They can be purchased here. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Ignite’s goal is to make it possible for anyone to learn to present their stories and ideas, welcoming speakers at all levels, in any occupation, from all walks of life. Ignite Lincoln 17 shares the Thompson Forum’s theme of “Belonging: Finding Connection in a Lonely World,” exploring the growing public health crisis of loneliness and isolation and the vital role of human connection in improving individual and community well-being.
Speakers will take the stage with five minutes and 20 slides each to share experiences related to the theme. UNL speakers include Brenna Whitten, a senior global studies, French and political science major in the University Honors Program; Jamie Bullins, associate professor of theatre in the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film; and Valerie Jones, interim associate dean for research and Fred A. and Gladys Seaton Professor of Advertising and Public Relations in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Other speakers will represent Doane College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln Public Schools and the public and private sectors.
Ignite Lincoln strives to amplify the voices and missions of local nonprofits, placing them at the heart of its programming. At the Feb. 17 event, nonprofit representatives will give presentations for the opportunity to win a $1,500 grand prize or a smaller award of $750. Finalists are Baby and Me; Big Brothers Big Sisters; BraveBe; Center for Legal Immigration Assistance; Connected Forever; and Educare Lincoln.
This year’s Thompson Forum season opened with a short-film screening Sept. 18 and continued with “A Conversation with Dr. Vivek Murthy” on Oct. 14, “Belonging is a Practice, Not a Place” with communication expert Orly Israel on Nov. 18 and a Cooper Conversation with Holocaust educator Megan Helberg on Jan. 28. The series concludes with “America’s Upswing,” featuring social entrepreneur and author Shaylyn Romney Garrett, at 6:30 p.m. March 31 at the Lied Center for Performing Arts.
Tickets for the Garrett event are available through the Lied Center here, by calling 402-472-4747 or by visiting the Lied’s box office, 301 N. 12th St. The event is free and open to the public, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis.
The E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues is a cooperative project of the Cooper Foundation, Lied Center and University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The series was established in 1988 with the purpose of bringing a diversity of viewpoints on international and public policy issues to the university and people of Nebraska to promote understanding and encourage discussion. Learn more.
