We are excited to announce Aron Ralston as our 2026 keynote speaker!

When: February 23rd, 7:00 – 8:30PM

Where: Memorial Union Great Hall

About Aron:

Aron graduated Carnegie Mellon University in 1997 where he double majored in mechanical engineering and French while minoring in piano. During his education, Ralston served as a resident assistant, studied abroad, and was active in intermural sports in addition to working as a rafting guide during summers.​

After graduation, Aron worked with Intel in Chandler Tacoma for five years while building mountain climbing and mountaineering skills. In 2002 he quit his job to climb Denali and moved to Aspen Colorado.​ In April of 2003 while canyoneering alone through the Blue John Canyon in Utah, a suspended boulder was dislodged fell to smash his left hand and settled, pinning his right hand. After being trapped for 127 hours Ralston amputated his arm, descended a 65-foot cliff and made a 7-mile hike back to rescue. ​