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Tyler Timm selected for prestigious 2015 Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute

WHS junior prepares for intensive summer study with American & European peers @ Purdue University & Washington, D.C.!

April 15, 2015

WHS junior Tyler Timm has been selected for the 2015 Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute, a prestigious, highly-selective program sponsored by the U.S. State Dept. Timm will spend 30 days this summer studying with other American and European students at Purdue University and in Washington, D.C.

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WHS junior Tyler Timm has been selected for the 2015 Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute, a prestigious, highly-selective program sponsored by the U.S. State Dept. Timm will spend 30 days this summer studying with other American and European students at Purdue University and in Washington, D.C.

"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn." --Benjamin Franklin

Wahoo High School students have demonstrated excellence in many areas, and WHS junior Tyler Timm has added another honor to the list of this year's student accomplishments.

Timm has been selected to participate in the 2015 Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute, a prestigious program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The program is held on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, and in Washington, D.C.

The BFTF Institute began in 2006. The program's website explains that the purpose was "to commemorate the 300th anniversary of birth of Benjamin Franklin, the legendary American statesman and diplomat, whose career, interests, and studies took him across the Atlantic Ocean, bringing about better understanding between Americans and Europeans."

While Timm will remain on this side of the pond this summer, he will share this experience with other students from across Europe, who will travel to the U.S.

The BFTF website elaborates: "As a diplomat and a printer, he [Franklin] used the power of diplomacy and the media to increase the exchange of information between Americans and the people of other countries. The Institute guides U.S. and European participants to examine what we need to know about each other to communicate better and to face the many challenges of the 21^st century together. The Institute also explores how young people interact with media, both as consumers and producers of information, and how the freedom of expression provides rights and imposes responsibilities on citizens."

This year's Institute will run from June 27 to July 25, 2015. During this time, Timm will join other chosen students from Europe and the United States in an intensive four-week program, which will feature prominent scholars and specialists who will focus on the areas of international relations, diplomacy, communication, media, civic education, and science . . . all in honor of different aspects of Franklin's legacy.

This is highly competitive honor, involving a rigorous application and interview process, and the Institute covers all expenses for those selected.

"I'm very excited to be accepted to the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Institute! It will be an amazing opportunity for me!" Timm commented.

Timm also offered a big shout-out to WHS Spanish Instructor Cass Griffin, who originally informed Timm of the opportunity.

"I am beyond thrilled for Tyler!" Griffin exclaimed. "This will be the start of many adventures to come! He will serve not only as an ambassador of Nebraska, but from the entire Midwest, as no one from our region has ever been selected for the Transatlantic Institute. I am super excited for all of the global networking opportunities Tyler will have as he spends a month working side by side with students from all over Europe!"

Griffin also shared her excitement for the fact that WHS has had three extremely selective U.S. exchange program award winners in just two years: Janae Urban (selected last year for the Congress-Bundestag Exchange for a year-long study in Germany), Tyler Ruzicka (recently awarded a National Security Language Initiative for Youth scholarship for a year-long study in Beijing, China), and now Timm with the BFTF Institute selection!

Honors like this also tend to put a smile on the faces of high school principals.

"As I read through the criteria and activities associated with this award, it became very apparent that Tyler is an outstanding candidate for this award and program. Tyler has the personality, work ethic and intelligence to excel in this Institute! I know this opportunity will be an incredible experience that will spring-board him in a very successful career and life beyond high school," stated WHS Principal Jason Libal. "Congratulations Tyler! You have made WPS very proud!"

Congratulations Tyler on this very impressive achievement!

About the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute
(Source: www.education.purdue.edu/benfranklin.about.html)

Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute (BFTF) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Institute offers a combination of interactive classes, seminars, workshops, webinars, and teleconferences presented by prominent scholars and specialists in international relations, diplomacy, communication, media, civic education, and science.

The program will consist of five modules, each representing a component of Benjamin Franklin’s legacy:

Each module is comprised of a set of thematic presentations, workshops, seminars, panel discussions, site visits, and other interactive activities, conducted by highly qualified faculty, graduate students, and area specialists.

Goals for the Institute are:

• To introduce Fellows to Benjamin Franklin’s ideas and legacy;
• To promote mutual understanding and civic responsibility among young Americans and Europeans;
• To encourage Fellows to establish strong linkages between nations and cultures;
• To develop commitment to cooperation and mutual respect;
• To cultivate relationships among individuals from different cultural backgrounds and to promote diversity;
• To develop a sense of democratic local, national, and global citizenship among Fellows;
• To encourage Fellows to implement in their communities the new knowledge and skills acquired during the Institute; and
• To introduce European Fellows to American culture, education, and everyday lives of American families.