2001 Mitchell Scholars named

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S.-Ireland Alliance has announced the George J. Mitchell Scholars for 2001.

Twelve Americans were selected in a nationwide competition from more than 200 applicants for a year of study at a university in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland, beginning in the fall.

Named in honor of Senator Mitchell’s contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, the scholarships are awarded to individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 who have demonstrated intellectual distinction, leadership potential, and commitment to community service.

The newly selected Mitchell Scholars — listed with their U.S. universities and future assignments in Ireland and Northern Ireland – are: Peter Frosch, Winona, Minn. (Northwestern/Dublin City University); Dawn Hewett, Seattle (University of Washington/Trinity College Dublin); Bryanna Hocking, Eugene, Ore. (Georgetown/University of Limerick); Matthew Huenerfauth, Springfield, Pa. (University of Delaware/University College Dublin); Ehrin Johnson, Camden, Maine (Stanford and Harvard Medical School/University of Ulster); Jennifer Lambert, Imro, S.C. (Furman/University College Dublin); Kathleen Long, Paterson, N.J. (Georgetown/University College Cork); Michelle Miles, Bozeman, Mont. (Montana State/Trinity College Dublin); Kathleen Romig, Royal Oak, Mich. (Michigan State/University College Cork); Julia Rosenbloom, Washington, D.C. (Harvard College/Queen’s University); Ben Trachtenberg, Washington, D.C. (Yale/University of Limerick); and Elisabeth Yu, Indian Head Park, Ill. (Indiana University/Queen’s University).

In 1998, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern announced that the Irish government would provide the first $3 million endowment toward the establishment of the Mitchell Scholarships. Also contributing to the scholarships are an anonymous donor, the Northern Ireland Executive, Bombardier ‘rospace, Cross Atlantic Capital partners, The Crucible Corporation, and Mutual of America. Universities in Ireland and Northern Ireland waive tuition and provide housing to the scholars. A Mitchell Scholar also receives a living expenses stipend as well as a travel stipend donated by USIT, the Irish-based student travel service.

The scholars were selected from finalists interviewed by a selection committee including Elliot Gerson, U.S. secretary of the Rhodes Scholarship Committee; Sean O’Huiginn, Irish ambassador to the United States; Alice Ilchman, chair of the Rockefeller Foundation; George O’Brien, professor of English at Georgetown University; Sharon Hrynkow, deputy director of the Fogarty International Center at the National Institutes of Health; Kevin O’Neill, associate professor of history at Boston College, and Allen Sessoms, senior fellow at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.

The U.S.-Ireland Alliance is a non-partisan, non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C.