[Southsider2k12]

http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/45286062.html

A Michigan City graduate of Purdue University Calumet is on his way to a doctoral program in West Lafayette — an unusual distinction for a boy just 14 years old.

Tyamo Okuson began his coursework when he was just a 9-year-old, according to information provided by the university. He was one of 688 graduates honored Sunday afternoon during ceremonies in Merrillville. Okuson was chosen to give his “traditional” class response at commencement.

Tyamo plans mechanical engineering studies, and has been awarded — among numerous other honors — a John and Elsa Gracik Scholarship from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Tyamo also has been awarded a Best and Brightest Scholarship at Purdue.

He hopes to work in the aerospace industry before becoming a professor, the ASME organization said in a biographical summary.

Along with his younger brother — yes, his younger brother, Anfani — Tyamo has already done academic presentations in South Africa, according to foreign media reports.

Here at home, he’s demonstrated leadership in the classroom as well as on special projects, including the 2008 NASA Moonbuggy team.

Tyamo’s father, a justice studies professor at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago and expert in cognitive development, credits their development to his method of stimulating the children even before birth. According to an interview with The Mercury in South Africa, Okuson doesn’t consider the boys to be prodigies and thinks any child can be taught to learn differently.

[HIaloha]

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