Stanford student, recent graduate win Mitchell Scholarships

A current student and a recent graduate are two of 12 George J. Mitchell Scholars selected to pursue post-graduate studies at universities in Ireland and Northern Ireland during the 2005-06 academic year.

Alex Greninger, who graduated in 2004 with bachelor's and master's degrees in biological sciences and a bachelor's degree in international relations, plans to earn a master's degree in management science from University College Dublin's Michael Smurfit School of Business. "I want to include elements of management science in my curriculum because such concepts are seldom addressed in scientific programs," Greninger said. "After proving their technical skills, scientists are often moved into leadership and administrative positions without the benefit of additional management training."

Mike Solomon, a senior who is set to graduate this spring with bachelor's degrees in music and in public policy, plans to pursue a degree in music composition at Queen's University in Belfast. "While most schools focus on either acoustic or electric works, Queen's University Belfast has premier programs in both," he said. "After this education, I hope to get started professionally composing theatrical works that incorporate electronic media."

Launched in 1998, the Mitchell Scholarship "recognizes outstanding young Americans who exhibit the highest standards of academic excellence, leadership and community service," according to a statement from the U.S.-Ireland Alliance, a nonprofit organization that administers the scholarship. There were 220 applicants from 166 colleges and universities for the 2005-06 scholarship, which is named after the former U.S. senator from Maine who played a key role in the Northern Ireland peace process.

The scholarship is estimated to be worth about $25,000, covering tuition and housing and including a stipend for living expenses and travel.

A native of Austin, Texas, Greninger, 23, is currently studying on a Churchill Scholarship at Cambridge University, where he plans to receive a master's degree this year in epidemiology. At Stanford, he wrote three honors theses, one of which—on biosecurity—earned him a university Firestone Medal for Excellence in Undergraduate Research.

A native of East Brunswick, N.J., Solomon, 22, served as director of the Stanford Fleet Street Singers and, among other songwriting endeavors, composed the music for two productions of the Big Game Gaieties and a song cycle titled For Paul, which premiered last January as part of the Ram's Head Theatrical Society's "Winter One Acts."

His opera, Pinkertons, is scheduled to premiere next month.

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