UW-Madison tops in Peace Corps volunteers

UW–Madison has the largest number of currently serving Peace Corps volunteers in the nation, according to a new ranking of colleges and universities.

A report released Sunday by the 38-year-old national service organization shows that 116 UW–Madison alumni currently work overseas in the program. The University of Colorado at Boulder placed second with 91 volunteers and the University of Washington third with 75 volunteers.

The new ranking bolsters a long-term relationship between UW–Madison and the Peace Corps. Since 1961, 2,313 UW–Madison alumni have completed service in the Peace Corps, a total second only to the University of California at Berkeley. In the 1990s, UW–Madison has been No. 1 among all colleges and universities.

Peter Quella, Peace Corps recruiter for UW–Madison, said this strong decade of recruitment builds on itself each year, through faculty support and word of mouth among students.

“Many classes here have an international focus, which raises awareness of issues around the world,” Quella said. “I think there’s a strong correlative effect between the curriculum and Corps volunteers.”

Interest extends beyond college students, Quella added. He has received numerous calls from community members, including people who are approaching retirement and are exploring unique options.

The Peace Corps has a presence in 80 countries today, and Quella said UW–Madison alumni are stationed in most of those countries. Overall, the Peace Corps recruited more volunteers in 1998 than in any of the past 25 years, due to an 8 percent budget increase. President Clinton has proposed expanding the program next year to 10,000 annual recruits, a 50 percent increase.

UW–Madison was one of five Big Ten universities in the top 10 in Peace Corps volunteers. The University of Illinois was fourth; the University of Michigan fifth; Michigan State University eighth; and Indiana University was in a three-way tie for ninth.

The Peace Corps has 6,700 volunteers working overseas on fighting hunger, bringing clean water to communities, teaching children, helping start small businesses and controlling the spread of AIDS. More than 150,000 volunteers have joined since 1961.

If you are interested in an interview with Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan, contact press officer Arlison Osborne at (202) 692-2230.