Peace Corps Director asks College Graduates to volunteer at Commencements at Chaminade and University of Wisconsin



Peace Corps Director asks College Graduates to volunteer at Commencements at Chaminade and University of Wisconsin

Peace Corps Director Asks College Graduates to Volunteer

Director Delivers Commencement at Chaminade and University of Wisconsin

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 17, 2004 – As fall college graduates commence into the world and look toward entering the workforce, Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez is asking them to consider making volunteerism part of their future.

This past Monday, December 13, Director Vasquez addressed graduates at Chaminade University of Honolulu and invited them to consider joining the 21 volunteers who currently serve from Hawaii.

"I urge you to never underestimate your capacity to make a difference," said Director Vasquez at the Chaminade University ceremony. "Use your mind and your heart to help others, and you will live a full and satisfying life."

Over 300 graduates and their families attended the Chaminade University ceremony. As part of his visit to Hawaii, Director Vasquez also met with the local Returned Peace Corps Volunteers group and was the guest of honor at their annual holiday party. Later, he met with Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle, thanking Hawaiian citizens for their continued consideration of the Peace Corps. Historically, 1,267 Hawaiian residents have served as volunteers since 1961. This was Director Vasquez's first trip to the Aloha state.

On Sunday, Dec. 19, Director Vasquez will address the 1,600 University of Wisconsin at Madison graduates and their families at the Kohl Center. For the past 10 years, the university has been the top producer of Peace Corps volunteers. Last year, 142 volunteers were University of Wisconsin at Madison graduates. Since Peace Corps' inception in 1961, more than 2,600 graduates have answered the call to service – second only to the number of graduates from the University of California at Berkeley.

"The commitment to volunteerism that Wisconsin students and alumni demonstrate are a source of pride for the United States, as they help show the world America's virtues," said Director Vasquez.

When this story was posted in December 2004, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Our debt to Bill Moyers Former Peace Corps Deputy Director Bill Moyers leaves PBS next week to begin writing his memoir of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Read what Moyers says about journalism under fire, the value of a free press, and the yearning for democracy. "We have got to nurture the spirit of independent journalism in this country," he warns, "or we'll not save capitalism from its own excesses, and we'll not save democracy from its own inertia."

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December 10, 2004: This Week's Top Stories Dodd says Rumsfeld's answer was unacceptable 9 Dec RPCV Blake Willeford runs classic movie theatre 9 Dec RPCV says education is key to curbing AIDS 9 Dec RPCV Dannielle Tegeder opens exhibition 9 Dec Shalala 1st Woman In Touchdown Club 9 Dec "Today we have a new country" says Toledo 9 Dec DDN wins Investigative Reporting Award 8 Dec Celeste on Panel to study Colorado finances 8 Dec RPCV leads Rotary Club medical team to Togo 6 Dec Vasquez to speak at Hawaii, Wisconsin commencements 6 Dec Tom Murphy warns Pittsburgh on budget abyss 2 Dec Venezuela RPCV Martha Egan runs Pachamama imports 30 Nov more top stories...

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RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the U.S. consul general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia survived Monday's attack on the consulate without injury. Five consular employees and four others were killed. Abercrombie-Winstanley, the first woman to hold the position, has been an outspoken advocate of rights for Arab women and has met with Saudi reformers despite efforts by Saudi leaders to block the discussions.

Is Gaddi Leaving? Rumors are swirling that Peace Corps Director Vasquez may be leaving the administration. We think Director Vasquez has been doing a good job and if he decides to stay to the end of the administration, he could possibly have the same sort of impact as a Loret Ruppe Miller. If Vasquez has decided to leave, then Bob Taft, Peter McPherson, Chris Shays, or Jody Olsen would be good candidates to run the agency. Latest: For the record, Peace Corps has no comment on the rumors.

The Birth of the Peace Corps UMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn.

Vote "Yes" on NPCA's bylaw changes Take our new poll. NPCA members begin voting this week on bylaw changes to streamline NPCA's Board of Directors. NPCA Chair Ken Hill, the President's Forum and other RPCVs endorse the changes. Mail in your ballot or vote online (after Dec 1), then see on how RPCVs are voting.

Charges possible in 1976 PCV slaying Congressman Norm Dicks has asked the U.S. attorney in Seattle to consider pursuing charges against Dennis Priven, the man accused of killing Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner on the South Pacific island of Tonga 28 years ago. Background on this story here and here.

Your vote makes a difference Make a difference on November 2 - Vote. Then take our RPCV exit poll. See how RPCV's are voting and take a look at the RPCV voter demographic. Finally leave a message on why you voted for John Kerry or for George Bush. Previous poll results here.

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