A Penn State senior is one of 12 students nationwide to receive the George J. Mitchell Scholarship.

Amanda Wetzel (senior-international politics) will use the scholarship to study at Queen's University in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Belfast is currently developing a Bill of Rights and Wetzel said she plans to study the process from a comparative international perspective. She will work towards earning a master's of law in human rights law.

"It's very exciting," she said.

The scholarship, which is administered by the non-profit organization US-Ireland Alliance, rewards young Americans for their academic distinction, leadership skills and community service. Applicants compete for a year of post-graduate study at universities in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The award is named after Mitchell, the former U.S. Senate majority leader who played a pivotal role in the Northern Ireland peace process.

Wetzel is active in the Schreyer Honors College.