51С»Æ³µcelebrates Mitchell Scholars and Mitchell Institute at annual breakfast
51С»Æ³µheld its annual Mitchell Institute Scholars Breakfast on September 22, 2016, in honor of the University’s Mitchell Scholars and in appreciation of the Senator George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute.
The Mitchell Institute Scholarships were established in 1994 by U.S. Senator George Mitchell to expand and improve educational opportunities for Maine students. Each year, the Mitchell Institute awards a scholarship to one graduating senior from every high school in Maine. Scholars are selected on the basis of academic promise, community impact and financial need.
Since the scholarship’s inception, 118 Mitchell Scholars have chosen the University of 51С»Æ³µ as their institution of higher education. There are currently 28 Mitchell Scholars enrolled as undergraduates. Two former Mitchell Scholars are enrolled in doctorial programs, and two others are employed by the University.
The scholarships provide much more than college tuition assistance. The Mitchell Institute offers a variety of programs and resources to its scholars and actively pursues lasting relationships with them beyond their years in college.
51С»Æ³µPresident Danielle Ripich spoke at the breakfast, encouraging the Mitchell Scholars to take full advantage of everything the Mitchell Institute has to offer. "Our students from Maine are such self-starters that they don’t often reach out for help," she said. "But life is challenging, and the more connections you have, the more opportunities come your way, so, please, make use of this," she encouraged.
The theme of connectedness rang strong through Ripich’s comments. She noted that the University of 51С»Æ³µ will soon share another connection with the Mitchell Institute: Senator George Mitchell is scheduled to speak on May 11 at UNE’s Tangier Campus in Morocco as part of UNE’s new Tangier Global Forum speaker series.
"Hopefully you’re relationship with the Mitchell Institute will be a lifelong connection," Ripich told the students, remarking on the plethora of valuable life experiences that the Mitchell Institute presents to its scholars.
According to Meg Baxter, president and CEO of the Mitchell Institute, who also spoke at the breakfast, Mitchell Scholars have access to a myriad of benefits: camping expeditions with a volunteer component, emergency money through the institute’s Promise Fund, exposure to and networking opportunities with some of Maine’s most successful businesses, internships, post-graduate fellowships and "no agenda coffees" (informal one-on-one chats with institute staff who may offer scholars guidance towards reaching their goals).
Mitchell Scholar Cassie Trask (Neuroscience, ’20) of West Gardiner participated in an Outward Bound leadership program offered by the Mitchell Institute. "It brings you into a bigger family," she said of being named a Mitchell Scholar. "I know if something were to happen, there would be people to help me," she shared.
Karly Robinson (Nursing, ’18), a Rockland native, agreed that the Mitchell Institute has much to offer its scholars, including dependability. "It’s a great scholarship because once you apply and get accepted, it’s guaranteed for four years," she explained. "It offers a lot of programs, career development and the opportunity to meet other Mitchell Scholars."
For some, a Mitchell Scholarship makes the difference between whether or not a student can attend his or her first choice of college. Julie Plummer (Neuroscience, ’20) of Richmond said she was "very humbled" by being chosen as a Mitchell Scholar. She had been on the fence in her decision between the University of 51С»Æ³µ and another university, she said, adding, "But the Mitchell Scholarship made it financially possible for me to come to UNE."
One Mitchell Scholar in attendance , Kimberly Donoghue (Marine Sciences, ’19), who has participated in multiple Mitchell Institute programs, made impromptu comments at the breakfast, encouraging her fellow scholars to make full use of the benefits of being a Mitchell Scholar. "It really is more than just a scholarship," she said. "I really do get to have a family with the Mitchell Institute."