FARMINGTON – Katharine Gergosian, a junior from the University of Maine at Farmington, will study in Cork, Ireland this fall as a 2007-08 George J. Mitchell Peace Scholar.

This is the fourth consecutive year that a UMF student has been selected for a George J. Mitchell Peace Scholarship.

Gergosian, a native of Topsham, was selected based upon her strong academic ability, commitment to community service, and exceptional leadership skills. She will attend University College Cork, for one semester, where academic fees will be waived. She will also receive free tuition, room and board, and a $1,000 travel stipend.

Gergosian is majoring in secondary English education. She has been active in the new student orientation program, mentored youth in the community and was involved in the study of the campus tobacco policy. She is a member of the UMF Modern Dance Company and is employed as both a residence hall assistant and a security assistant in the Office of Public Safety. She is currently working in the admissions office and plans on teaching secondary English in Maine after graduating.

The scholarship was created in 1998 in tribute to former U.S. Senator George J. Mitchell for his work in helping to facilitate a peace accord between Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as his lifelong devotion and commitment to public service. Mitchell served as chairman of the International Commission on Disarmament in Northern Ireland and later served as chairman of the Peace Talks in Northern Ireland, which led to the peace accord adoption in 1998. Both the University of Maine System and the Maine Community College System awards either one full scholarship or two one-semester scholarships annually.

According to Gergosian, an appreciation of leadership skills and community involvement came naturally to her.

“Through their example, my parents taught me true power is grounded in respect and humility with strong ideals and knowledge. It comes from bringing together people from different backgrounds to create intelligent dialogue that results in profound consensus and resolution. It is simply talking with compassion, rather than pushing your point of conviction,” she said.

Supervisor and co-worker Jill Orcutt described Gergosian as exhibiting though her life, all the qualities of a genuine leader, including honesty and integrity, with a humble, grateful attitude.