KU News Release

Media advisory: KU group to meet with governor to sign Peace Corps Week proclamation

WHAT: Several former Peace Corps volunteers who are students, faculty or staff at the University of Kansas will meet with Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as she signs a proclamation stating that Feb. 25-March 3 was Peace Corps Week. Scheduling conflicts made it impossible for the former volunteers to meet with the governor earlier.

Peace Corps Week is a global celebration of the contributions volunteers have made — and still are making — around the world. Former volunteers spend this week giving presentations about their service and community outreach. It is an opportunity for volunteers to fulfill the third goal of Peace Corps service, “Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.”

WHEN: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 19

WHERE: Governor's office at the Statehouse in Topeka

WHO: The proclamation is the result of efforts by KU law student and former Cape Verde volunteer Beau Jackson. Jackson, a Wichita native, made contact with officials at the Capitol, helped write the proclamation and arranged the visit with the governor. He and the other members of the group have donated numerous hours to promoting the Peace Corps at KU and in the Lawrence community.

In addition to Jackson, those attending the signing ceremony are: Heather Sutter, KU Peace Corps representative; Betty Baron, former KU Peace Corps representative; Frank Baron, professor of Germanic languages and literatures; Daphne Fautin, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology; Christie Appelhanz, assistant to the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Julie Sergeant, a research assistant at KU’s School of Social Welfare; Bruce Sergeant, a Lawrence resident and Julie Sergeant’s spouse; Zac Cooper, a KU graduate student in geography from McCune; Tamara Neuhaus, a nondegree-seeking student from Lawrence; Katherine Carttar, a Lawrence resident; Chris Cobb, a fifth- and sixth-grade teacher at Sunflower Elementary in Lawrence; and Melanie Manares, Kansas Department of Education.

MEDIA CREDENTIALS: The signing ceremony is open to the media. For credentials, contact the governor’s press office at (785) 368-8469. Members of the media will not be allowed to attend without contacting the press office beforehand.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.