MSU’s Mitchell Scholarship finalists are: Joel Arnold, a recent graduate with degrees in social relations and policy from the James Madison College and urban and regional planning from the College of Social Science; and Margaret Born, an Honors College senior majoring in comparative cultures and politics in James Madison College, and Arabic in the College of Arts and Letters.
The US-Ireland Alliance established the George J. Mitchell Scholarship Program, which allows up to 12 future American leaders to pursue a year of graduate study in Ireland and Northern Ireland. MSU has produced one Mitchell Scholar to date.
“I am honored to have been named a national finalist in this very competitive process,” Arnold said. “Applying for the Mitchell has allowed me to explore more deeply my passion for struggling communities and what I can do to impact these communities in a positive manner while learning from and with the people of Ireland.”
Born said, “I feel such infinite gratitude for the professors, mentors, family, and friends who have helped me at every step. I feel this is as much their success as mine, and serves as a testament to their generosity and kindness.”
MSU’s Rhodes Scholarship finalists are: Eamon Devlin, an Honors College senior majoring in environmental studies and sustainability and also fisheries and wildlife in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; and Alana O’Mara, an Honors College senior majoring in neuroscience in the Lyman Briggs College.
The Rhodes Trust, the oldest of the major international competitive award foundations, provides 32 of the most outstanding undergraduates in the United States an opportunity to study at the University of Oxford in England. Seventeen Rhodes Scholars have come from MSU. MSU has produced 17 Rhodes Scholars to date.
“I am honored to be considered for this scholarship,” Devlin said. “MSU has been a great place for me to grow and learn. I’ve been fortunate to be able to have so many great professors and experiences here that have allowed me to be considered for this honor.”
O’Mara said, “When I was asked to apply for the Rhodes Scholarship, I thought of how amazing (2016 MSU Rhodes Scholar) Sarah (Kovan) was and all of her accomplishments, and wondered how I could compare. As a finalist along with Eamon, I think that it goes to show how helpful the MSU community has been to help prepare us for stepping outside of East Lansing to become involved in a global community.”
All four students will interview for the scholarships November 18-19.
The National and International Fellowship and Scholarship (NIFS) office at Michigan State University, administered by the Honors College, helps interested undergraduate and graduate students to pursue major national and international opportunities by providing information and direct support throughout the competitive application processes.