Kathy A. Krendl Distinguished Lecture Series
Honoring the legacy of Otterbein’s 20th president, the Kathy A. Krendl Distinguished Lecture Series hosts compelling and thought-provoking scholars, dignitaries, business visionaries, and others who impact the areas of innovation, leadership, and collaboration. The series welcomes diverse outlooks that prompt dialogue, advance opportunity and inclusion, spark innovation and foster the pace-setting initiatives that distinguish Otterbein’s past, present, and future.
Fall 2025 Speaker: The “Amazing” Tei Street
The Kathy A. Krendl Distinguished Lecture Series at Otterbein University is honored to host a lecture by international motivational speaker, trainer, and education consultant, the “Amazing” Tei Street.
Speaker: The “Amazing” Tei Street
Public Lecture: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 5:30-7 p.m.
Location: Riley Auditorium at the Battelle Fine Arts Center, 170 W. Park St., Westerville
About the Speaker
The “Amazing” Tei Street is an international motivational speaker, trainer, and education consultant. She has more than 25 years of experience in youth leadership development, higher education, curriculum development, violence prevention, as well as ATOD prevention. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Ohio State University and a Master of Ministry degree from Ohio Christian University.
Tei’s love and passion for positively affecting the lives of young people, as well as the adults who influence them, comes through each time she steps on a stage — or gymnasium floor. Tei’s masterful use of humor, coupled with her gift of storytelling, makes her a crowd favorite. Tei challenges her audiences to take the knowledge they gain to move from motion to action. She says her purpose is to be the human Windex that cleans the lenses of her audience, so they can clearly see how “amazing” they already are. Learn more at amazingteistreet.com.
The “Amazing” Tei Street
About Kathy A. Krendl, Ph.D. H'18
After nine landmark years at Otterbein University, President Kathy A. Krendl, Ph.D. H’18 retired in June 2018. President Krendl was a strong and humble servant leader and a fierce champion of the transformative opportunities of an Otterbein education. Kathy’s legacy reflects the ideals for which we stand as a community-opportunity, innovation, service and inclusiveness.
In honoring her legacy, the Otterbein Board of Trustees considered the hallmarks of her tenure-pace setting innovation, increased partnerships and programs, a commitment to women’s leadership and growth resulting in the most diverse and academically prepared classes in recent Otterbein history. Specifically, her tenure included strategic enrollment gains, the largest campaign in Otterbein’s history, the educational model of the 21st century realized at The Point, a tuition freeze for five of her nine years, new partnerships that positioned Otterbein as a national leader and a personal unwavering commitment to access and affordability for all. Because learning and opportunity are key to an initiative that would honor her impact, the decision was made to establish the Kathy A. Krendl Distinguished Lecture Series.
Previous Speakers
Spring 2024 – “Educating for Democracy” with Lynn Pasquerella, Ph.D.
2023 – “The Leaders We Need Now” with U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH)
Congresswoman Beatty, a native Ohioan, shared more about connecting people, policy, and politics to make a difference. Since 2013, Beatty has represented Ohio’s Third Congressional District. In the 117th Congress, Beatty served as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Congresswoman Beatty is a vocal leader and advocate for the issues impacting Black Americans, including voting rights reform, police brutality, financial inequality, diversity and inclusion, healthcare access, and gun violence prevention.
2022 – “Working Together to Move Forward”
A panel discussion about ways to work across common “dividing lines” in society (race, gender, ideology, and others) to solve the issues that face us, including healthcare, education, and economic inequality. Featuring:
- Lilleana Cavenaugh Executive Director, Latino Affairs Commission
- Angela Cornelius Dawson Executive Director, Ohio Commission on Minority Health
- Steve Stivers President and CEO, Ohio Chamber of Commerce
2019 – “Preparing for an Uncertain Future: Two Reliable Roads” with Dr. Anita Perez Ferguson, former president of the National Women’s Political Caucus
Sharing insights into the impact e-commerce is having on face-to-face service jobs and how international labor markets, material sourcing and trade agreements are impacting reliable job forecasting in the United States.
