Media Room
GW Ranks First for Peace Corps Volunteers Among Nation's Mid-sized Schools
GW Ranked No. 1 for Second Year in a Row
Feb 5, 2010
WASHINGTON - For the second year in a row, The George Washington University came in first among medium-sized universities producing Peace Corps Volunteers, according to the annual Peace Corps rankings. GW currently has 53 undergraduate alumni serving overseas.
"The ranking gives compelling testimony to the culture of public service that is one of GW's great strengths," said George Washington University President Steven Knapp. “It starts with the passionate interest in solving real-world problems that our students bring with them and that is one of the reasons they choose to attend a university in the heart of our nation's capital. But that interest grows stronger and clearer as students learn from each other, from our extraordinarily service-oriented faculty, and from the opportunities for civic engagement that the university and the city afford them.”
The Peace Corps ranks its top volunteer-producing schools annually according to the size of the student body. Small schools have less than 5,000 undergraduates, medium-sized schools have between 5,000 and 15,000 undergraduates and large schools have more than 15,000 undergraduates. The rankings are calculated based on fiscal year 2009 data as of September 30, 2009 as self-reported by Peace Corps volunteers.
“For nearly 50 years, enthusiastic college alumni have contributed to the success of Peace Corps programs and our mission to promote world peace and friendship in host communities around the world,” said Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams. “Peace Corps service is a life changing leadership opportunity and a great career foundation in almost every field, ranging from international development, education, public health, engineering, agriculture, and law, to name a few. I am proud of our historic relationship with over 3,000 colleges and universities in the United States and look forward to recruiting and training the next generation of Peace Corps volunteers.”
As the Peace Corps approaches its 50th anniversary, its service legacy continues to promote peace and friendship around the world. Historically, nearly 200,000 Americans have served with the Peace Corps to promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of 139 host countries. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.
Located four blocks from the White House, The George Washington University was created by an Act of Congress in 1821. Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the nation's capital. The university offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study as well as degree programs in medicine, public health, law, engineering, education, business, and international affairs. Each year, GW enrolls a diverse population of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 130 countries.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Michelle Sherrard - 202-994-1423 - mcs1@gwu.edu
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