March 8, 2002
Contact: Sarah Ray
802-443-5794
sray@middlebury.edu
Posted: March 8, 2002
MIDDLEBURY,
VT- In a letter to Middlebury College President John M. McCardell
Jr., Peace Corps Chief of Staff Lloyd O. Pierson announced that Middlebury
ranks second on an annual list of all small colleges and universities
producing Peace Corps volunteers. The Peace Corps defines small colleges
and universities as those schools with less than 5,000 undergraduates.
In the Peace Corps 41-year history, 382 Middlebury alumni have joined
its worldwide effort. There are 22 Middlebury alumni currently serving
in the Peace Corps.
Describing the Colleges Peace Corps volunteers, Pierson wrote, They
apply the skills and knowledge they acquired during their time at your
institution to help improve the lives of many people in need. The important
role that these students play in promoting hope, opportunity, and freedom
cannot be underestimated in this time of adversity.
To support President Bushs goal to double the number of Peace
Corps volunteers over the next five years and build upon the valuable
humanitarian work of the Peace Corps at home and abroad, we will be creating
more opportunities for Americans to serve around the world and to bring
those experiences back home, said Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez
in a news release issued by the Peace Corps.
Established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, the Peace Corps has
sent more than 165,000 trained volunteers to 135 countries. This year,
7,000 volunteers and trainees are in 70 countries around the world working
to help fight hunger, bring clean water to communities, teach children,
help start new small businesses, and stop the spread of AIDS.