Michigan State University has four finalists for a pair of highly competitive graduate school scholarships – two for the Mitchell Scholarship and two for the Rhodes Scholarship.
MSU’s Mitchell Scholarship finalists are: Joel Arnold, a recent graduate with degrees in social relations and policy from 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 U.S.-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 Rhode 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 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. 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 that have allowed me to be considered for this honor.”
O’Mara said: “As a finalist along with Eamon, I think 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 Nov. 18-19.
The National and International Fellowship and Scholarship (NIFS) office at MSU, 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.