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When I was selected as a Mitchell Scholar in 2001, I was honored that someone from outside my hometown saw my value as a student. The scholarship's four years of support gave me the funds and the confidence to explore my interests in college, and that fourth year significantly changed the direction of my life. I wasn’t a very involved Mitchell Scholar then: the community was just beginning to develop, and you couldn’t have paid 20-year-old me to do a ropes course in Newry. But I’m pretty sure I’ve made up for my past lack of involvement since joining the staff.
I certainly didn’t imagine I’d stay for over a decade. But I have been humbled and awed by hundreds of Scholars and Alumni, whose stories inspired me to reach a little higher and appreciate life’s blessings. I have collaborated with numerous counselors, higher-ed professionals, volunteers, and community partners who are committed to making Maine’s future brighter through supporting its students. I have been fortunate enough to work with some of the most knowledgeable and compassionate colleagues that Maine has to offer. And all of those people—this magnificent community of people—made it very easy to stay.
The real reason I have stayed is because the Mitchell Institute’s mission is as vibrant and vital as it was in 2001. Senator Mitchell’s vision promotes fairness, hard work, and self-improvement. It supports Maine's health. And no matter how much the world of higher education changes in and around our state, this mission will endure so long as there are young Mainers with dreams and determination. I am proud to have given my time to such an incredible mission.
Even though I will be taking a new role, I encourage you to consider me a resource in your educations and careers. I want to hear of your successes and help you make connections among the Mitchell Institute community. Going forward, I can be reached at adamthib@gmail.com or on LinkedIn. And the excellent team at the Mitchell Institute, whose care and good humor I will miss considerably, remains committed to providing you with resources and programs. (Odds are very good that I will still show up at events from time to time!)
I will hold in my heart the stories of the Mitchell Scholars I have been privileged to meet. Your incredible ambitions, your pride for your hometowns, your perseverance through obstacles. My goal for the past decade has been to help Maine's students; the truth is that Mitchell Scholars have helped me more than they will ever know.
Thank you for being a part of my time here. I am a better Mainer, and a better human, because of the Mitchell Institute community.
With tremendous gratitude,
Adam
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