US-Ireland Alliance

US-Ireland Alliance hosts Chicago event

Showcases institutions of higher learning on the island of Ireland

Minister Ruairi Quinn, university reps and Mitchell Scholars participate

See Photos from the event

14 July 2011.  More than 150 university representatives from across the US came to Chicago this week to learn about study opportunities for American university students on the island of Ireland.  Ireland’s Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, was the special guest at a day-long event the US-Ireland Alliance hosted there.

In conjunction with the annual conference of the National Association of Fellowship Advisors (NAFA), the Alliance held a seminar on its George J. Mitchell Scholarship program and opportunities for study at universities in Ireland and Northern Ireland.  NAFA is composed of higher education administrators and faculty who assist college-level students with applications for nationally competitive, merit-based scholarships.

In the morning, Irish and Northern Ireland university representatives spoke about their respective institutions.  In the afternoon they, along with Mitchell Scholars who attended the nine universities on the island, participated in a Q&A with NAFA members.  Minister Quinn spoke about the Irish education system at a luncheon.   Later that evening, he spoke about the current situation in Ireland to a broader Chicago audience at a reception hosted by the Alliance.

This was the first US-Ireland Alliance event in Chicago.  “The event was extremely successful,” said Alliance President Trina Vargo.  “Several university representatives told me afterwards that the presentations throughout the day gave them a much greater understanding of both the Irish institutions, as well as what the Alliance is looking for in Mitchell Scholar applicants.”

To assure the permanence of the Mitchell, the Irish Government passed legislation a year ago whereby it will match any amount the Alliance raises, up to 20 million euros, for an endowment for the program.  The legislation passed the Irish Oireachtas (parliament) by unanimous consent and at the time, Mr. Quinn, stated:  “The unresolved political relationships between the North and the South on this island, and between Dublin and London, defined what Irish America could do for Ireland in those dark days. Such days are now over. The US-Ireland Alliance and the George Mitchell Scholarship Fund form the platform on which a new relationship is being built.”

The Chicago event also marked the first Alliance event for Anne Glusker, the new Director of the Mitchell Scholarship program.  Ms. Glusker, who joined the organization this month, noted, “I couldn’t ask for a better initiation into the program – the Mitchell Scholars, and representatives from Irish, Northern Ireland and US universities, all in the same place at the same time.  The Mitchell has an incredible reputation and I’m looking forward to contributing to its continued growth.”

The Mitchell Scholarship program is supported by, among others, the US Congress and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the Department of State; the Government of Ireland; the Northern Ireland Executive; Cross Atlantic Capital Partners; and Becton Dickinson.