NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Jeffrey Benedict, a senior majoring in modern European studies with a minor in musicology at Vanderbilt University, is among the 12 recipients nationwide for the coveted 2007-2008 George J. Mitchell Scholarship. He is the first Vanderbilt student to receive this award.
The George J. Mitchell Scholarships are awarded annually to 12 Americans under the age of 30 to pursue a year of post-graduate study at any university on the island of Ireland. Benedict will pursue a master‘s in musicology at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth.
“We are thrilled with the new class of George Mitchell Scholars,” said Trina Vargo, president of the U.S.-Ireland Alliance. “Every one reflects the George Mitchell spirit that no problem is too large to be tackled and solved.”
The first in his family to go to college, Benedict is an avid cellist and plays fiddle and mandolin. Hoping to one day become a lawyer, he developed an interest in the involvement of itinerant musicians in politics throughout European history. This interest eventually led him to the National University of Ireland, Maynooth.
Benedict is also the cadet battalion operations officer for Vanderbilt‘s ROTC, holding the rank of cadet major.
“Jeffrey does an outstanding job and is widely respected by his peers and the cadre here,” said Lt. Col. Mike Slocum, professor of military science at Vanderbilt. “We are extremely proud of Jeffrey and his accomplishment in winning the Mitchell Scholarship. He has a drive and determination unmatched by most of his peers.”
The awards are named after former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, who spearheaded the historic Good Friday Agreement of 1998, which produced peace in Northern Ireland. Launched that year, the Mitchell Scholarship program recognizes outstanding young Americans who exhibit the highest standards of academic excellence, leadership and community service.
The Mitchell Scholarship program seeks to educate future American leaders about the island of Ireland-North and South-and to provide tomorrow‘s leaders with an understanding about, an interest in, and an affinity with, the island from which 44 million Americans claim descent.
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Media Contact: Melissa Pankake, (615) 322-NEWS
melissa.r.pankake@vanderbilt.edu