News Article

Gonzaga University ranks No. 6 in the nation among small colleges and universities providing graduates who serve in the Peace Corps with 22 alumni currently serving in the federal agency, which was established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy.

The ranking places Gonzaga among the agency’s top-25 ranking once again on its annual list of the “Top Peace Corps Volunteer Producing Colleges and Universities.”

Throughout the last 47 years, 264 Gonzaga alumni have served as Peace Corps volunteers. The 22 Gonzaga graduates now serving in the Peace Corps include 20 undergraduate alumni and two graduate alumni. With the knowledge and skills acquired at Gonzaga, these Peace Corps volunteers are making a positive contribution to the lives of people in 76 different countries worldwide.

For the third consecutive year, the University of Washington ranks No. 1 in the nation among large undergraduate universities with 104 alumni currently serving the Peace Corps. In the medium schools category, George Washington University seized the No. 1 spot with a total of 57 alumni serving. Among small schools, the University of Chicago tops the list at No. 1 for the second consecutive year with 35 current volunteers.

The Peace Corps has received volunteers from more than 3,000 institutions across the United States and Puerto Rico.

“The Peace Corps provides a unique opportunity for graduates to use their education and skills, and apply them in the real world,” said Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter. “I am proud to know that over 3,000 institutions of higher learning are currently represented by Peace Corps volunteers serving in 76 countries overseas. These institutions can be proud of the contributions that their graduates are making in improving the lives of others around the globe.”

For more information about the Peace Corps, breakdown of this year’s top universities, or information on how to volunteer please visit the Peace Corps Web site.