GTFLIM Leaders Post 2010

Message from Trapper:

Hello Friends and supporters of the General Tommy Franks Museum,

I hope 2010 has been a productive year and the 2011 will be just as prosperous. I have attached the “Leaders Post” an annual update report on GTFLIM activities and programs. It covers some of the highlights and success stories from programs the GTFLIM was able to accomplish. The programs are made possible through the donations of individuals, organizations and corporations around the world. As we look forward to the programs planned for 2011, I hope you will join in investing in the leaders of the future. Please consider us in your Holiday giving. For more information or to donate online, visit our website www.tommyfranksmuseum.org.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

Trapper Heglin - Director

GTFLIM Leaders Post 2010

Developing Young Leaders

The Oklahoman

BY BRIAN BUSH

July 17, 2010

Many things make Jordan a fascinating place to visit. For those with an interest in history, it's hard to deny the beauty and historical context of Wadi Rum and the ancient city of Petra. For movie buffs, there are filming locations for "Lawrence of Arabia," "Indiana Jones" and "Transformers 2." And for the spiritually minded, there is Mount Nebo, the Dead Sea and a host of other religiously significant locales.

But this area of the world is not without its challenges. One of the most difficult issues facing the region is playing out in Jordan's neighbor to the west, Israel. The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians affects children, families, neighbors and communities. Lives are being lost, and the tension is growing. Over the years, some of the most celebrated diplomats in history have tried to resolve the conflict, yet no resolution has been reached.

Understanding, patience, humility, wisdom and communication — in short, leadership — are the keys to solving this issue. Current world leaders must enlist their best efforts, and we must raise up young leaders with the knowledge and perspective necessary to achieve success.

Oklahoma Christian University is focused on developing that kind of leadership, providing opportunities for people to engage the culture around them, developing the skills necessary to lead and breaking away from the status quo.

One of our most exciting programs is Four Star Debate: Developing Leaders with Gen. Tommy Franks. This partnership between the Gen. Tommy Franks Leadership Institute & Museum, the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) and Academy of Leadership & Liberty at Oklahoma Christian University is designed to develop young leaders of character who are well-informed about community issues, able to communicate a vision for a better future and able to work with people from all walks of life to change the world.

This year's program gathered 24 of the finest high school students from across the United States and took them to Jordan for the opportunity to meet and debate with 24 Middle Eastern students at King's Academy in Madaba, Jordan. The topic of the debate was whether the U.S. should support a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and Palestine.

Students also got training from NCPA's professional policy analysts, debate coaches and university debate students. Leadership development and communications training was provided by Oklahoma Christian's nationally recognized faculty, staff and academy contributors. The students also interacted with Franks, who provided invaluable lessons on leadership and insight into the complexities of foreign policy.

For these 24 students, Jordan was historical, spiritual and then some. The students left the program inspired and equipped. The staff left knowing that our future is in great hands, and we all came away with the understanding that our interests are not that different from those of our friends in Jordan. We all want peace and a better life for our children, and we all must do our part to achieve those goals together.

Bush is executive director of Academy of Leadership & Liberty at Oklahoma Christian University.

http://www.newsok.com/article/3476833?searched=Brian%20Bush%20Four%20Sta...

US Students return from trip to Jordan

US Students return from trip to Jordan

Debate students to kick off OC event

Franks, Askins to address students traveling to Jordan for camp

Edmond Sun

June 30, 2010

EDMOND — On Thursday, 24 students from across the nation will meet at Oklahoma Christian University to prepare for the Four Star Debate camp at King’s Academy near Amman, Jordan.

Oklahoma will be represented by Joseph Epperson, a junior at Harding Charter Preparatory High School in Oklahoma City, and a former Edmond student.

While at OC, the students will be addressed by Gen. Tommy Franks and Lt. Gov. Jari Askins before traveling to Jordan for a week-long international debate and leadership camp.

Franks will speak from 5-6:15 p.m. at the OC Recital Hall, and Askins will speak from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at the OC Gaylord Room.

While in Jordan, the students will pair up with 24 Jordanian and Middle Eastern students to debate whether the United States should support a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and Palestine. The camp will be from July 1-10 and will include a visit from His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan.

Developing Leaders with General Tommy Franks is hosted by the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute, the National Center for Policy Analysis and the Academy of Leadership & Liberty at OC.

For more information, visit fourstardebate.ncpa.org/.

http://www.edmondsun.com/local/x1703944782/Debate-students-to-kick-off-O...

Oklahoma teenager will travel to Jordan for debate camp

The Oklahoman

Megan Rolland

June 17, 2010

Joe Epperson and Gen. Tommy Franks - Photo provided

This summer 24 high school students, including one from Oklahoma, will travel to Jordan with Four Star Debate to create plans to promote peace between between Israelis and Palestinians and then defend those plans in a debate competition.

One Oklahoma high school student is taking his competitive arguments to the next level, traveling to Jordan in July to debate how the U.S. could support a peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians.

Joe Epperson, a 16-year-old junior at Harding Charter Preparatory Academy, is one of 24 debaters from across the nation selected to attend the weeklong Four Star Debate camp this year.

Epperson said shortly before he was selected he learned that the camp would be held near Amman, Jordan, and that students from the U.S. would be paired with students from Jordan for the team debate.

"The idea of being able to study another culture, make friends with people who are literally halfway around the world is exciting and incredibly fascinating,” Epperson said.

The camp was created by retired Gen. Tommy Franks, who hopes to develop leadership among America's youth.

The program also is sponsored by Oklahoma Christian University.

Epperson said he is preparing for the trip by brushing up on both the history of Middle East conflict and current events.

He and a student from Jordan will prepare a plan for how to create peace between the hostile lands and support the plan with evidence.

The team then will attempt to refute another team's plans. At the end of the week a winner will be announced.

Cailey Gray, the debate coach from Harding Charter Preparatory, said that last school year as a sophomore Epperson was a standout on the team.

"He has a keen ability to listen to an argument someone makes and be able to find the weakness and attack it,” Gray said.

"I think it's a really excellent opportunity for him. ... High school students have a lot of really great ideas, and hopefully someone will be listening to them.”

The students also will have the chance to meet Jordanian King Abdullah II.

Story here

U.S. students will travel to Jordan for Gen. Tommy Franks-hosted international debate

Students will spend time with general and debate Middle East peace

OKLAHOMA CITY – This year’s Four Star Debate program promises to be an international learning experience of a lifetime for top high school students. Twenty-four U.S. students will pair up with 24 Jordanian and Middle Eastern students at King’s Academy near Amman, Jordan to debate whether the United States should support a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and Palestine. The camp will be held from July 1 – 10 and will include a visit from His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan.

The students will debate the topic based on the principles that Israel and Palestine are two sovereign states, whose borders and security are recognized by the countries in the region; and that they provide economic liberalization, protect minority rights and cease violence.

Four Star Debate: Developing Leaders with General Tommy Franks is hosted by the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute, the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) and the Academy of Leadership & Liberty at Oklahoma Christian University (OC).

In addition to sharpening debate and leadership skills and learning from top policy experts from across the globe, students will interact with world-renowned leaders, including Franks, the four-star general who commanded American and coalition forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“Our goal is to ensure a brighter tomorrow by bringing the best and brightest students together to learn leadership skills and debate key issues,” Franks said. “This year, we have the opportunity to add an international dimension to help the students explore a complex issue and learn first-hand from students and speakers with differing backgrounds and perspectives.”

During the camp, students will be trained in strategic thinking, planning, communication and teamwork. Participants receive practical training in the art of persuasion, gain in-depth knowledge of the debate issue, gather valuable team experiences and develop relationships with other up-and-coming leaders. Students will use the knowledge and skills they learn and apply them in a free-style team debate.

Each U.S. student will be paired as a debate partner with a student from King’s Academy, allowing students to wrestle with one of the most complex challenges that have faced global leaders for decades. While in Jordan, the students will take excursions to Wadi Rum and Petra to experience Jordanian culture and scenery first-hand.

In addition to Franks, students have the opportunity to interact with high-profile leaders, including Dr. John C. Goodman, NCPA president, and Dr. Mike O’Neal, OC president, who will teach them about leading large organizations with many competing interests.

Students will also receive training from NCPA’s professional policy analysts, debate coaches and university debate students. Leadership development and communications training will be provided by OC’s nationally recognized faculty, staff and academy contributors.

For more information, please visit http://fourstardebate.ncpa.org/.

About the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum
The goal of the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum is to tell compelling stories of leadership, introduce historical topics in each exhibit, and to encourage study and debate concerning the leadership traits illustrated by the story. It is located in Hobart, Okla. For more information, visit www.tommyfranksmuseum.org.

About the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA)
With offices in Dallas and Washington, D.C., the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research organization, established in 1983. The NCPA's goal is to develop and promote private alternatives to government regulation and control, solving problems by relying on the strength of the competitive, entrepreneurial private sector. For more information, visit www.ncpa.org

Academy of Leadership & Liberty
The Academy of Leadership & Liberty at Oklahoma Christian University exists to uphold, teach, and strengthen the values that promote liberty, free enterprise, and servant leadership. To accomplish that mission, the Academy seeks to inspire leaders of character, vision, and courage while equipping them with the values that have a profound and lasting impact on individuals, families, communities, and nations. Guided by faith and the principles of servant leadership, character, and social justice, the Academy is committed to perpetuating the values and freedoms endowed by our Creator and empowered by the founding wisdom of our democracy. For more information, visit http://www.oc.edu/academy/.

About King’s Academy
Established in 2007, King’s Academy is a private, not-for-profit, co-educational boarding and day high school (grades 9 to 12) in Madaba, Jordan. The school, which integrates the New England boarding school experience in the historical and intellectual context of the Middle East, follows an English-language, Advanced Placement curriculum. The dynamic curriculum includes an integrated co-curricular program of athletics, activities and community service, and students live in a nurturing residential environment that allows them to flourish personally and intellectually. King’s Academy is situated 30 minutes from Amman on a 144-acre (575-dunum) site and is comprised of 23 buildings and state-of-the-art facilities. For more information, visit http://www.kingsacademy.edu.jo.

Southwest Youth Leadership Conference

The Southwest Youth Leadership Conference, founded in 1980, brings 75 students to the campus of Oklahoma Christian University each year to provide training in leadership, civic engagement, patriotism, and community involvement.

The Celebration of Freedom/Museum Grand Opening

Mark your calendars and plan on attending the inaugural Celebration of Freedom: promoting patriotism and honoring those who have made freedom possible.