The Joseph W. McCarthy-William McCullough, M.D. Memorial Scholarship
North Central Michigan College and the Robert Emmet Society seek entries for a scholarship competition that will send a North Central student to Ireland this fall for a semester of study.
This is the only scholarship awarded by the College that sends a North Central student abroad for study. The competition is based on an essay, academic achievement, student activities and an interview with College and Society representatives.
The winner of this competition will receive a scholarship for Fall 2012 at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) in Galway, Ireland. The scholarship covers round-trip air fare from Detroit or Chicago and tuition, room and books at GMIT. Thirteen students have received scholarships since 1999.
Entrants must be enrolled in an academic program at North Central for the 2011-2012 school year and must submit an essay on the topic, “How do the political values of Robert Emmet, Irish patriot and namesake of Emmet County, relate to our world and our lives today?”
Those wishing to enter the competition should contact Samantha McLin, associate dean of liberal arts at North Central at 231-348-6604 or smclin@ncmich.edu by March 17, 2012. Essays must be submitted by April 2, 2012 to her at North Central Michigan College, 1515 Howard Street, Petoskey, MI 49770. The winner will be announced before the end of the school year. Details are available at www.emmetsociety.org. Click here for registration form.
The Society was founded in the early 1990s to honor Robert Emmet, the namesake of Emmet County, Michigan, and to make area residents more aware of Emmet's brief but courageous life and his enduring legacy as a champion of freedom and democracy. The Society works closely with North Central in awarding the scholarship that is named after Joseph W. McCarthy, a local businessman, and Dr. William McCullough, a Petoskey physician, both active members of the society since its founding in the early 1990’s.
The Robert Emmet Society and the Blissfest Music Organization raise funds for the scholarship through donations and annual music events.
2010 Recipient – Jasmine Petrie
The winner of the Robert Emmet Society's annual scholar to Ireland is Jasmine Petrie of Petoskey. She is the 13th recipient of the Joseph McCarthy - William McCullough, M.D. Memorial Award and the 8th to spend the fall semester at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology studying Irish history and culture.
The award is named for Mr. McCarthy, a Petoskey businessman, and Dr. McCullough, a Petoskey physician, who were active members of the Society since its founding in the early 1990s to promote awareness in Emmet County of its namesake, Robert Emmet, an Irish patriot executed by the British 2003 for leading a revolt against Ireland's long-time rulers.
Jasmine, who is 23, is a native of Petoskey and has received her associate’s degree in 2010 and a certificate in textiles in 2011 at North Central Michigan College in Petoskey. While at North Central, she was a member of the Student Senate and held the offices of Parliamentarian and Secretary. She is also on the board of directors for the Blissfest Music Organization, where she serves as Vice President. Her trip to Ireland in early September will be her second trip outside of the United States, but first trip to Europe. She plans to become a fashion designer and textile artist. She currently works in the Art Department at North Central.
In her acceptance letter, Jasmine commented, “I have always wondered how people won scholarships and went off to study in other countries. Now I see that it takes determination and hard work.” She goes on to say that “this experience will be an edifying and unforgettable adventure in my life.”
The scholarship provides Jasmine with free tuition and housing at GMIT as well as round trip airfare to Ireland and a stipend for books. To pay for the scholarship, members of the Robert Emmet Society pay an annual fee of $100 in support the scholarship and co-sponsor with the Blissfest Music Organization two fundraising events each year.