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Terrence Howard Was the Featured Guest for Conversations with Mark Vargas Event
Actor and Entrepreneur Terrence Howard was the featured guest for the second Conversations with Mark Vargas that took place on July 9 at Judson University in Elgin. Judson alumnus Mark Vargas ’04 hosted the discussion with Howard about life, business, and finding inspiration.
Before a crowd of 175, Vargas asked Howard several questions about his long and successful acting career. When asked what attracted him to acting, Howard said he enjoyed the attention and he found it fulfilling to become someone else when he was acting.
“I got stuck in acting because I could affect people’s emotions and I was effective,” Howard said.
“So I started learning things about humanity with each of the characters I played. Some of those characters can take you to darkness but some of those characters can take you to light places. If you become a channel for them, ultimately, there are secrets that can be revealed to you.”
When asked what inspired him most as a young person, Howard told the crowd that his largest passion was a desire to understand his universe more clearly. This drive sparked his passion for geometry and caused him to study mechanical, chemical, and civil engineering at Platt University. When he found that these studies didn’t answer some of his questions, he dropped out of school and began his acting career.
Even while working as an actor, Howard’s creative interests led him to 85 design, trademark, and utility patents pending. These patents impact applications in most industries at all scales from material, energy, and propulsion sciences, nanotech, and computing, as well as large-scale space and or Earthly construction projects, including 4D geospatial mapping and future environmental and terraforming services. He is also responsible for inventing Tangential Flight with only 6 props, an entirely new way of flight.
During the event, Howard’s introduced geometric shapes showcasing his designs and a new drone that he called the lynchpin. Howard’s lynchpin drone uses 12 props and 12 opposing vortices to create a drone that can move in new ways and work alone or as a swarm to perform many tasks. Vargas announced that Howard and he are collaborating to launch two companies, Tangential Flight Corporation for commercial and shipping applications and Lynchpin Drone Corporation for military applications. While Howard and his wife, Mira, will serve as CEO and Chair of the Board, Vargas said he would serve as president. He also said Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who attended the event, will chair an advisory committee.
Following the discussion, the audience moved outside to witness a demonstration of Howard’s tangential flight drone, which was flown by Kevin Plaizier, a junior from Utah State University who won an international competition to develop the drone using Howard’s designs.
The interview with Howard is the second event for the World Leaders Forum series, Conversations with Mark Vargas, where Vargas invites some of the most recognizable names in business, entertainment, and politics. The 2019 inaugural guest was entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star Mark Cuban. Sponsors will be invited to attend a private dinner reception with Howard.
Proceeds from this event will fund entrepreneurship, diversity, and RISE program scholarships for students at Judson University.
About Terrence Howard
Born in Chicago, Terrence Howard is best known for his Golden Globe and Academy Award-nominated work in Hustle & Flow, as well as for his supporting role in the film Crash. In 2008, Howard co-starred with Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man. Howard then starred in Fox’s Wayward Pines, a 10-episode psychological thriller from EP M. Night Shyamalan. Most recently, Howard starred as “Lucious Lyon” in Fox’s hit television show “Empire,” which ran for six seasons.
Howard began his career with several notable TV appearances on shows such as “Living Single,” “NYPD Blue,” and “Soul Food.” He became well known for his lead role in the UPN series “Sparks.”
A self-taught musician, Howard writes, composes, and produces music that includes several hit songs featured on “Empire.”
About Mark Vargas
Mark Vargas is a trusted adviser and close confidante to some of the highest-profile political and business leaders in America. His work as a tech entrepreneur in health care and political opinion writer has been featured in the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald, Huffington Post, and Fox News Channel. And his relationship with both key Members of Congress and senior officials within the Trump administration has allowed him to participate in important policy discussions on criminal justice reform and health care reform.
From 2007 to 2010, Vargas served as a civilian within the Office of the Secretary of Defense on a special task force handpicked by senior Defense officials. His civilian service at the Defense Department included 14 trips to Baghdad and expanded across two presidential administrations.
Vargas is a regular panelist and guest speaker on issues related to entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, political affairs, media strategy, and foreign policy. A dedicated writer, Vargas is a contributor to the Washington Examiner. Mark is currently hosting Mark My Words on AM 560 The Answer. He also serves as President of the World Leaders Forum Board of Directors.
Vargas earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Judson University in 2004 and served as student body President. And so, it is only appropriate that he hosts this series where it all began.
About Judson University
Located in Elgin, Illinois, since 1963, Judson University offers a Christian, liberal arts and sciences education through its Bachelor of Arts degrees for more than 60 majors, minors, graduate programs and online, as well as certification and accelerated adult degree programs. For more information, visit www.JudsonU.edu.
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Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
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