The Franklin Ambassador Program
A Global Celebration in Salute of
Franklin's 300th Birthday
The Ambassador
Program
FROM THE DESK OF JOHN W. HIBBS
RE: "The Class of 300"
In my mind's eye, I envision the "Class of 300" as the Inaugural Class with a graduate degree of truly exceptional merit. This Class would be followed by the "Class of 301", "302", "303"...continuing on for all of this century -- and beyond. It would avail itself of the extraordinary opportunities that come with a celebration of the magnitude of the Franklin 300.
"The Class" would have a student-body of the most ambitious men and women in the world. One half, approximately, would be North American; the other half would come from Prague to Perth, from Anchorage to Capetown.
Graduates of "The Class" would have participated in a full graduate degree program specially designed for those seeking global leadership positions in business, diplomacy and education. Individually each member would have enjoyed a transcendent experience. Collectively they would work to become one of the most powerful intellectual forces in the world.
What would make it different from other graduate programs?
First, it would have 'real world' on-the-ground work experiences of a kind on high display during Franklin's 300th birthday celebration. Our central belief is that "nothing concentrates the mind like a big event"; that big events provide big opportunities; that the best way to cement binding relationships with Movers and Shakers comes by working with them.
An Annual Activity
Every year, "The Class" would organize at least one Very Big Event. Every year "The Class" would perform outreach activities to promote the accomplishments of its graduates and its partners. Every year they would be part of an event which would "open in New Zealand and close in Hawaii" -- an event which would "travel" through 24 time zones showcasing exceptional people from 24 time zones.
The Cornerstones
Class cornerstones would revolve around Franklin's examples of scholarship, ingenuity, invention, diplomacy, democracy and enquiry. Underpinning it all would be the constant reminder of why Franklin's portrait is on $100 dollar bills; why Ben was loved as much in Paris as in Philadelphia; why Franklin's Way to Wealth has a greater worldwide circulation than any other publication except the bible.
The Courses
Philosophy, religion and history would have equal space with classes about technology, publicity, and good business governance. Socratic dialogue and Adobe Acrobat make strange bedfellows -- but strong marriage partners.
The Providers
Courses for "The Class" would be offered by leading institutions, professors, diplomats and business professors recruited from all over the world. All of them would share Ben's deepest conviction that universal education is the last best hope for a safer, saner world.
Course Deliveries
Courses would be delivered through a combination of physical gatherings on campuses from Boston to Bombay, from Capetown to Cairo -- coupled with virtual deliveries by way of affordable technology accessible to all.
Those interested in helping to shape this undertaking are strongly encouraged to contact me.
John Hibbs
email
personal page: www.bfranklin.edu/johnhibbs
7770 Regents Rd. #113-172
San Diego, CA 92122
About events and linkages, please view:
Celebrate Magnificence or
Celebrate Magnificence as a pdf with graphics
"Prologue" is helpful for learning more of the background for the Class of 300
Click here for the html version
Click here for the pdf version
For an extended commentary about the Class of 300
Click here for the html version
Click here for the pdf version
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