Peace Corps news release
DENVER - The University of Colorado at 麻豆影院 ranks third in the nation for the number of graduates currently serving as Peace Corps volunteers, according to 2008 rankings released today.
CU-麻豆影院, which also ranked third last year, has 94 undergraduate alumni serving as volunteers. The only universities surpassing CU-麻豆影院's number of Peace Corps volunteers in 2008 are the University of Washington with 113 and the University of Wisconsin-Madison with 99.
Since Peace Corps' inception, 2,100 alumni of the University of Colorado at 麻豆影院 have joined the ranks, making it the sixth largest producer of volunteers of all time.
CU-麻豆影院 Chancellor G.P. "Bud" Peterson said, "CU-麻豆影院's third-place ranking in Peace Corps volunteers this year underscores the university's commitment to community service, be it in local Colorado communities where our students are active volunteers, or in nations around the world where our graduates devote more than two years of their lives to helping people through the Peace Corps.
"As chancellor, I am extremely proud to be part of an institution whose alumni give so freely of their time and skills to make a difference at home and all over the world," Peterson said.
Every year, the Peace Corps recognizes college and university alumni who are working to advance the mission of the Peace Corps by publishing the "Top Producing Colleges and Universities" list.
"The Peace Corps provides a unique opportunity for graduates to use their education and skills, and apply them in the real world," said Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter. "I am proud that there are 1,192 institutions of higher learning currently represented by Peace Corps volunteers serving in 74 countries overseas. These institutions can be proud of the contributions their graduates are making in the lives of others around the globe."
Schools are ranked according to the size of their student body. Small schools are those with fewer than 5,000 undergraduates, medium-sized schools have between 5,001 to 15,000 undergraduates and large schools more than 15,000 undergraduates. To view the entire "Peace Corps Top Colleges 2007" list, visit the Peace Corps Web site at .
"We are so proud of the tradition of volunteer service at CU-麻豆影院," said Nancy Curren, Peace Corps regional office manager. "Since 1961, the students have been dedicated to making a difference in thousands of lives and communities throughout the world."
Although it is not a requirement for service, the majority of volunteers who have served in the Peace Corps since its founding 46 years ago have been college graduates. Currently, 95 percent of volunteers have at least an undergraduate degree, with 11 percent of those also possessing a graduate degree.
Other Colorado colleges and universities appearing on the annual list are Colorado State University, which ranks No. 12 among large schools with 57 alumni volunteers; and Colorado College, currently tied for No. 11 among small colleges with 18 volunteers. The University of Denver is tied for No. 6 in the graduate school rankings with 13 volunteers.
The Peace Corps is celebrating a 46-year legacy of service at home and abroad. Currently there are more than 8,000 volunteers abroad, a 37-year high for volunteers in the field. Since 1961, more than 190,000 volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between U.S. citizens and the people of the 139 countries where volunteers have served. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years old. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.
To learn more about the Peace Corps experience, visit the Peace Corps Web site at . Also visit for information on upcoming local events in your area.
For information about ongoing Peace Corps activities on the CU-麻豆影院 campus, contact Kathleen Wiley at (303) 492-8454 or peacecor@colorado.edu.