SENATOR GEORGE Mitchell has announced with “deep and genuine regret” that he is to step down as chancellor of Queen’s University, Belfast, after 10 years in the post.
Senator Mitchell was last month appointed US special envoy to the Middle East by President Barack Obama. As this role precludes him engaging in any outside activities, Senator Mitchell will officially resign from his post as chancellor on March 29th.
Senator Mitchell played a pivotal role in the peace process as President Bill Clinton’s special representative in Northern Ireland.
He first led the Mitchell Commission to establish the principles on democracy and non-violence to which all parties had to subscribe, and later chaired the all-party talks which resulted in the signing of the Belfast Agreement in April 1998.
His work led to his nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998.
Senator Mitchell described his tenure at the university as “enriching and fulfilling”.
He said it had been “an honour and a privilege to contribute to Northern Ireland’s future within an institution that plays a leadership role in its community and in the field of education”.
Queen’s University president and vice-chancellor Prof Peter Gregson praised Senator Mitchell for “inspiring students of Queen’s with his message that their individual actions can help transform the world”.
The process to appoint Senator Mitchell’s successor is under way.