Denison University among Peace Corps’ top colleges

Date of Event: February 3, 2012

Posted: February 3, 2012

GRANVILLE, Ohio—Denison University again this year is among the Peace Corps’ list of top schools nationwide producing volunteers for the organization, moving up to No. 20 from last year’s No. 23 in the rankings among colleges and universities enrolling fewer than 5,000 students. Since Peace Corps was founded in 1961, 250 Denison alumni have served in Peace Corps and 17 alumni are currently serving in the Corps.

Across the world, Peace Corps volunteers work in the areas of education and English teaching; agriculture, forestry and environment; public health and HIV/AIDS; youth and community development; math and science, and engineering; and business, planning and information technology.

“Denison students who choose to engage in a period of service after graduation seek out the Peace Corps,” says Kathleen Powell, director of Denison University’s Center for Career Exploration and Development. “Denison prepares its students well to carry out service and projects for the Corps. I’m not surprised that our rank has improved as our students practice engagement and live through the transformative power of education on a regular basis. I am thrilled to see our collective efforts yield such good results.”

“Colleges and universities prepare thousands of talented undergraduate and graduate alumni for Peace Corps service every year,” said Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams. “These alumni go on to serve as Peace Corps volunteers, applying the skills and knowledge they acquired during their studies to promote world peace and friendship and improve the lives of people around the world.”

Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, more than 200,000 Americans have served in 139 host countries. Today, 9,095 volunteers are working with local communities in 75 host countries. Visit www.peacecorps.gov for more information.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name: Ginny Sharkey
Position Title: Media Relations
Primary Email: sharkeyv@denison.edu
Business Phone: (740) 587-6266

Gateways