Special Events
2006 Fall Gala Celebrates Scholars and Donors
OCTOBER 14, 2006, PORTLAND, ME: Nearly 500 statewide business, community and government leaders gathered Friday evening at the Marriott Hotel in South Portland to celebrate the Mitchell Institute and its twelve years of scholarship achievement at the Sixth Annual Mitchell Institute Fall Gala. The event recognized important contributors and honored Mitchell Scholars.The evening’s keynote speakers were Senator George J. Mitchell, the Institute’s founder, and the Honorable Mary Robinson, the former President of Ireland. In her comments, President Robinson recalled the important leadership of Senator Mitchell in the Irish peace process, and underscored that educational opportunity has been at the heart of the resurgence of economic development in her country. She likened the characteristics of Maine to those of Ireland and praised Senator Mitchell for his vision for a more highly educated citizenry.
Senator Mitchell passionately shared his feelings about the importance of the scholarship program, saying, ”The young people of Maine are among the brightest in the world, and given an opportunity to go on to higher education, there are no limits to what they can accomplish.”
Also addressing the attendees was Mitchell Scholar Ponnila Samuel, a graduate of Biddeford High School who is currently a senior at Bowdoin College where she is studying biochemistry. Ponnila thanked the Mitchell Institute ”for encouraging me to achieve my personal goals and for giving me the strength and determination to keep moving ahead in life.” Said Ponnila, ”I am proud and honored to be a Mitchell Scholar and to be supported by the Mitchell Institute family.”
At the event, the Mitchell Institute honored donors who have given in excess of $250,000 with a new and special honor, the Founders Award. This honor was bestowed on KeyBank and UnumProvident, two organizations that have shown a keen understanding of the importance of higher education and extraordinary generosity to the Institute. Founders Awards were also presented to Leon & Lisa Gorman and Tom & Linda Walsh, for their philanthropic leadership and dedication to the Mitchell Institute’s mission.
Each year, Pioneer Awards are presented at the Fall Gala to donors who have given in excess of $100,000 to the Mitchell Institute. These awards are given in appreciation and recognition of these donors� extraordinary commitment to educational opportunity for Maine’s young people. As part of this honor, the Mitchell Institute creates a permanent Pioneer Scholarship Award, which is given in perpetuity to a Mitchell Scholar who demonstrates the characteristics valued by the donor. For 2006, Mitchell Institute Pioneer Awards were given to Janet Fraser Mitchell, in honor of her commitment to teaching and her love of English literature, to the Ott Family, for their strong belief in the importance of education, and in memory of John and Nellie Jackson, whose lives embodied remarkable integrity, humility and staunch character.
The Mitchell Institute also announced the recipients of the 2006 Pioneer Scholar Awards:
—The 2006 Paddy Frank Walsh Pioneer Scholar Award, which recognizes a Mitchell Scholar who has overcome tremendous obstacles to achieve success, went to Karin Iuzzolino, a graduate of Boothbay Region High School now attending the University of New England.
—The 2006 Leon and Lisa Gorman Pioneer Scholar Award, which recognizes a Mitchell Scholar who has demonstrated strong qualities of leadership, character, and hard work, went to Jeff Boivin, a graduate of Richmond High School now attending Thomas College.
—The 2006 Bath Iron Works-Buzz Fitzgerald Pioneer Scholar Award, which recognizes a Mitchell Scholar who is a child or grandchild of a BIW employee and who embodies the characteristics of leadership and compassion for which Buzz Fitzgerald was known, went to Rachel McGlinn, a graduate of Caribou High School now attending the University of Southern Maine.
—The 2006 Casella Pioneer Scholar Award, which recognizes a Mitchell Scholar who is entering the field of environmental studies, went to James Anderson, a graduate of Kennebunk High School now attending Bowdoin College.
—The 2006 George and Mintaha Mitchell Pioneer Scholar Award, which recognizes the Mitchell Scholar from Waterville High School, was awarded to Barrett Moore, a student at Bowdoin College.
—The 2006 Morton K. & Jane Blaustein Pioneer Scholar Award honoring the life of Morton K. Blaustein, which recognizes first-generation college students and students from recently immigrated families, was awarded to Tho Huynh, a graduate of Portland High School now attending Bowdoin College.
—The 2006 Sam L. Cohen Pioneer Scholar Award, which recognizes the Mitchell Scholar from Biddeford High School, was awarded to Ashley Rochefort, a student at University of Maine at Farmington.
—The 2006 Mitchell Senate Staff Pioneer Scholar Award in memory of Gayle Cory, which recognizes a Mitchell Scholar whose love for the state of Maine, belief in public service, faith in people, and dedication to the greater good are a model for all, was awarded to Kevin Foster, a graduate of Cumberland High School now attending the University of Maine at Farmington.
—The 2006 Ott Family Pioneer Scholar Award, which recognizes the Mitchell Scholar from Gorham High School, was awarded to Rebecca Muller, a student at Colby College.
—The 2006 John & Nellie Jackson Pioneer Scholar Award, which recognizes a Mitchell Scholar who will be attending Maine Maritime Academy and who represents personal humility and hard work, went to Chris Wallace, a graduate of Calais High School.
—The 2006 Senator George J. Mitchell Pioneer Scholar Award, which recognizes a graduating or alumni Mitchell Scholar who possesses qualities of leadership, character, and perseverance, was awarded to Ponnila Samuel.
Lee Auto Malls was the prime sponsor of the Mitchell Institute Fall Gala, and the leadership sponsor was Time Warner Cable of Maine. The co-sponsors were Bangor Daily News, The Olympia Companies, Swardlick Marketing Group, GHM Insurance Agency, New England Passenger Rail Authority, and the Boston Red Sox. Sponsors of the evening’s receptions were UnumProvident and Bangor Savings Bank. A special thanks to Central Maine Power who sponsored many of the Mitchell Scholars who attended the 2006 Gala.