Senator Mitchell Meets Mitchell Scholars in Dublin en route to Middle East

See Photos by Patrick Bolger

Never too busy for the future American leaders who bear his name, Senator Mitchell recently stopped in Dublin to meet with the 2009 class of George J. Mitchell Scholars and attend a private US-Ireland Alliance dinner held at the home of Derek and Siobhan Quinlan. The Senator spent an hour and a half with ten of the twelve Mitchell Scholars currently studying on the island of Ireland.

Exhibiting his knowledge of each Scholar, Senator Mitchell was able to ask them each very specific questions. He asked former Naval Academy, stand-out runner Victoria Moore if she is still running while in Dublin. Vicky and other Mitchell Scholars ran the marathon in Greece last year and are continuing with more marathons while in Europe. Andrea Laidman told the Senator about her work in the area of immigrant integration in Ireland, an internship arranged by Minister of State Conor Lenihan. The Senator told fellow Maine resident, Erin Rhoda, that he knows of another Maine family with the same last name that he suspects may be relatives she didn't even know she had! He told Albion College grad Catherine Fontana that he owes Albion a visit (he had a to cancel a planned visit after being appointed by President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton as Middle East Envoy) and told Catherine that she was to report back to the college that he would like her to introduce him when he can reschedule the appearance. Jose Canto, currently studying at UCD, will attend Georgetown Law School next fall. Senator Mitchell told Jose that he too would be at Georgetown in the fall as a Chair is being created in his honor and he promised Jose that he could be the first to sit in his 'chair'.

Trina Vargo, President of the US-Ireland Alliance, noted that "Senator Mitchell has met each of the nine classes of Scholars without fail. He reads every Alliance newsletter which updates him on where the Scholars are and what they are doing. He takes genuine pride in their accomplishments and interest in their lives and careers. Despite a hectic schedule which few could match, his special interest in them is sincere and felt by the Scholars."