Trustees: name it ?Mitchell Hall?

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Editorial

Trustees: name it ?Mitchell Hall?

This piece represents the opinion of The Bowdoin Orient editorial board.

September 30, 2005

After deciding to name one of the new first-year dormitories in honor of Bowdoin alum Bernard Osher '48, the trustees may consider a name for the other dorm at their fall meetings in mid-October.

George J. Mitchell '54 would be an exceptional namesake.

Mitchell served Maine as a U.S. senator from 1980 to 1995 and served the country as Senate Majority Leader from 1989 to 1995. In 1999, President Bill Clinton awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom?America's most prestigious civilian honor?for his distinguished mediation and diplomatic influence in the Northern Ireland peace process.

But perhaps Mitchell's contributions to the world of academia are most worthy of praise. He founded the Mitchell Institute, which provides scholarship support for hundreds of Maine students each year and offers them leadership and networking opportunities throughout college. Mitchell's organization also provides specialized grants, on-site coaching, technical assistance, and professional development to select secondary schools throughout the state. Mitchell also serves as Chancellor of Queen's University of Belfast in Northern Ireland, and started a scholarship program for graduate study.

He affected the lives of citizens and families from Brunswick to Belfast, and has made Bowdoin proud. By naming a dormitory in honor of Mitchell, the College would set in stone the worthy recognition of a man whose insightful leadership and commitment to public service, education, and the common good exemplify the power and reach of Bowdoin's core values.

The College could not hope for more in an alumnus, and could not ask for a better candidate to receive this honor.

Editorials represent the majority view of The Bowdoin Orient's editorial board. The editorial board consists of the editors-in-chief and the managing editor.

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