Paul Suitter — the 2005 Mitchell Scholar from Southern Aroostook Community School, graduate of Bates College and Harvard Law, and Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maine — spoke of his experience as a Scholar, Alum, and Board member. Then he made a powerful closing argument for supporting Maine's premier scholarship organization.

"I could confidently stand before you this evening and state that someday in the future, a doctor will deliver a baby because a Mitchell Institute fellowship covered the costs of his MCAT exam prep. A small business will open, expand, and employ dozens of Mainers because the Mitchell Institute was there to help its founder through that rough semester of college when she wasn’t sure if she could make it. And someday a researcher will make an important new scientific discovery because the Mitchell Institute was there to help them nail their interview for an internship at Jackson Lab, sparking their passion and leading to a transformational career. I said that I could confidently say those things will occur someday in the future, but the fact is they are already happening — as a result of decades of unwavering support from the Mitchell Institute and the philanthropy that makes it possible.

"As I said earlier, every Mitchell Scholar’s story is unique — but not atypical. The ways in which the Institute has helped me are indicative of how the organization has helped so many others. By supporting the Mitchell Institute, you are doing so much more than providing a scholarship. You are forging the futures of the people who will continue to lead Maine into the 21st Century. You are helping to make sure that a speed bump in the road does not derail a promising future. I’ve seen it as a scholar. I’ve seen it as an alum. And now I see it every month as a board member — where my colleagues are constantly coming together to ask how we can continue to improve to do right by our scholars and by you — the people who entrust us to be good stewards of your generosity."

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