KU News Release

KU sees increase in national Peace Corps rankings

LAWRENCE — For the fourth consecutive year, the University of Kansas saw an increase in its national ranking for Peace Corps volunteers.

KU improved one spot, from 18th to 17th, in the rankings that were announced Jan. 16. Currently, 49 KU alumni volunteer in the Peace Corps. KU jumped five spots in the rankings last year, moving from 23rd in 2005 to 18th in 2006.

In all, 840 KU alumni have served in the Peace Corps, ranking it the 36th in total number of volunteers since the organization began.

Betty Baron, KU’s Peace Corps coordinator and a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia from 1966 to 1968, was happy with KU’s continued increase in the national rankings, which began in 2004.

“More important than rankings, for me, however, is simply finding good, qualified volunteers who will appreciate their chance to make a difference in the world and to serve their country by building friendships and trying to work toward world peace,” said Baron, who is in her fourth year as coordinator at KU.

KU has seen significant growth in its Peace Corps program the past four years. KU had only 29 volunteers in 2002.

“I continue to be impressed by the many multitalented, service-oriented KU students who are willing to sacrifice creature comforts here while they go abroad to help with sustainable projects that will improve the lives of others who are less privileged than we are,” said Baron.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison dropped from the top spot for the first time in 20 years in the large school category. The University of Washington now tops the list with 110 alumni currently serving.

Schools are ranked according to the size of the student body. Small schools are those with less than 5,000 undergraduates, medium-size schools are those with between 5,001 and 15,000 undergraduates and large schools are those with more than 15,000 undergraduates. The entire “Peace Corps Top Colleges 2007” is online.

Several events in Lawrence will allow the public to learn more about volunteering with the Peace Corps.

— An informational meeting with KU Peace Corps representatives will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St.

— Brown bag meetings will be noon to 1 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the month at the Centennial Room in the Kansas Union. Former Peace Corps volunteers will speak about their experiences in a series titled “Around the World with the Peace Corps.”

— An Alternative Career Paths panel will be 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Big 12 Room in the Kansas Union. Representatives from the Peace Corps, Teach for America and AmeriCorps/Vista will discuss volunteer opportunities.

The Peace Corps is celebrating its 45th year of service. 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 old. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.

Although it is not a requirement for service, the majority of volunteers who have served in the Peace Corps have been college graduates. Currently, 93 percent of volunteers have at least an undergraduate degree. Twelve percent those volunteers also have a graduate degree.

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