Jan. 18, 2007 -- The University of Virginia ranks second among medium-size colleges and universities in the number of alumni currently serving as Peace Corps volunteers, according to statistics released this week by the Peace Corps.
U.Va. has 65 alumni volunteers in the Peace Corps. Among colleges with 5,001 to 15,000 undergraduates, George Washington University leads this year with 68 alumni. U.Va. had been No. 1 in the category for the previous four years with an average of 77 volunteers per year.
“U.Va. continues to sit at or near the top of the mid-size university list for numbers of University of Virginia graduates entering the Peace Corps,” said Leigh Grossman, vice provost for international affairs. “This reflects the University of Virginia student orientation to serious learning and service learning, an orientation of which we are exceedingly proud.”
Since Peace Corps’ inception in 1961, 866 alumni of UVA have joined the ranks of the Peace Corps, making the University the No. 32 producer of volunteers all time, among all colleges, regardless of size.
Among colleges with more than 15,000 undergraduates, the University of Washington ranks No. 1 with 110 volunteers while the University of Wisconsin-Madison is second after being the top producer in the category for the past 20 years. The University of Puget Sound is No. 1 among schools with fewer than 5,000 undergraduates.
"Peace Corps allows graduates to take their skills outside the classroom and make a real difference in the lives of people who can most use their help," said Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter. "The [more than] 1,200 institutions of higher learning that have volunteers overseas, sharing what they have learned, should be proud of their contributions."
To view the entire "Peace Corps Top Colleges 2007" list, visit www.peacecorps.gov/news/resources/stats/pdf/schools2007.pdf.
Since 1961, more than 187,000 volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries where volunteers have served. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.
U.Va. has 65 alumni volunteers in the Peace Corps. Among colleges with 5,001 to 15,000 undergraduates, George Washington University leads this year with 68 alumni. U.Va. had been No. 1 in the category for the previous four years with an average of 77 volunteers per year.
“U.Va. continues to sit at or near the top of the mid-size university list for numbers of University of Virginia graduates entering the Peace Corps,” said Leigh Grossman, vice provost for international affairs. “This reflects the University of Virginia student orientation to serious learning and service learning, an orientation of which we are exceedingly proud.”
Since Peace Corps’ inception in 1961, 866 alumni of UVA have joined the ranks of the Peace Corps, making the University the No. 32 producer of volunteers all time, among all colleges, regardless of size.
Among colleges with more than 15,000 undergraduates, the University of Washington ranks No. 1 with 110 volunteers while the University of Wisconsin-Madison is second after being the top producer in the category for the past 20 years. The University of Puget Sound is No. 1 among schools with fewer than 5,000 undergraduates.
"Peace Corps allows graduates to take their skills outside the classroom and make a real difference in the lives of people who can most use their help," said Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter. "The [more than] 1,200 institutions of higher learning that have volunteers overseas, sharing what they have learned, should be proud of their contributions."
To view the entire "Peace Corps Top Colleges 2007" list, visit www.peacecorps.gov/news/resources/stats/pdf/schools2007.pdf.
Since 1961, more than 187,000 volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries where volunteers have served. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.
Media Contact
Article Information
January 18, 2007
/content/uva-ranks-no-2-among-producers-peace-corps-volunteers