Tyler Ahern Brown '02 Memorial Scholarship
Vision Statement

Tyler first met Tabor Academy on a stunning spring afternoon in 2000 at the Schaefer Oceanology Lab. Overflowing with curiosity about the natural world; Tyler had always reveled in exploring tide pools, examining marine life, and wading as far as he could through the marsh grass. Tabor oceanology was just one of the great matches that captured Tyler's heart.

Blessed with many talents, Tyler was an excellent student who was also committed to playing tight end for the Seawolves and acting as the Russian soldier, Fiedka, in Tabor's mighty production of "Fiddler on the Roof." Tyler was a writer of depth and vision who delighted in writing about the sunrise from the docks of the Sippican Harbor for Creative Writing class.  He represented Tabor at the Middlebury Breadloaf Writer's Conference during his junior year. Tyler was also a gifted mathematician and scientist. He was accepted into Duke's Pratt School of Engineering on his eighteenth birthday in December of his senior year.

Tabor's Caribbean Program under the guidance of Captain Geil enchanted Tyler. He often referred to his group's cruise on the TABOR BOY as entering "the most beautiful place in the world." He was an enthusiastic leader of Tabor students, who collected and catalogued samples from the splendid Caribbean reefs. Pictures of their scientific expedition show students immersing themselves in their discoveries: snorkeling for schools of azure blue fish; measuring a giant sea turtle; exploring the historic sites on land.  Mingled among working photos are those of joyous students diving from the deck of the TABOR BOY into the inviting Caribbean waters.

After graduating from Tabor with several honors, including the Headmaster's Award for General Excellence, Tyler went on to double-major in biomedical and mechanical engineering at Duke. But Tabor was never far away, as he was reminded daily by the mouse pad featuring Tabor's Oceanology Lab on his desk. Joining Duke's chapter of Engineers Without Borders in August 2005, Tyler went to Indonesia to aid the victims of the devastating tsunami.  Working with the native people there was, as he explained upon his return, "a life-changing experience."  Transformed, Tyler planned to devote two years after his graduation to the Peace Corps, before he went on to graduate school.

Tragically, all of his talents and future promise were lost on the night of October 9, 2005, when he was killed in a taxi cab by a drunk driver in San Francisco, where he had traveled to look at graduate schools.

To honor Tyler's life and spirit, Tabor Academy announces the establishment of the Tyler Ahern Brown '02 Memorial Scholarship in support of the Caribbean Program. It will be awarded to selected Tabor students who personify Tyler's passion for hands-on ocean science discovery in "one of the most beautiful places in the world."