To arrange an interview with the commencement speaker, Peace Corps director Gaddi Vasquez, please contact Lucas



To arrange an interview with the commencement speaker, Peace Corps director Gaddi Vasquez, please contact Lucas

Dec. 14, 2004
TO: Editors, news directors
FROM: Liz Beyler, (608) 263-1986, lbkraak@wisc.edu
RE: TIP/Midyear commencement coverage

Reporters and photographers covering midyear commencement ceremonies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Sunday, Dec. 19, may pick up their credentials inside the Kohl Center media entrance on Frances Street starting an hour before each ceremony. The credentials will allow them to move freely around the floor during the ceremonies. However, there will be no access to the stage.

Approximately 1,600 students will be eligible to receive their degrees Sunday during ceremonies held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Media parking will be available in Lot 91 behind the Madison School District Administration Building, with entry on the Bedford Street side of the lot. Parking permits will not be required. Media representatives should tell the parking attendant that they are covering commencement.

A mult box will be available for broadcast recording, and will be located at the electricians' table to the right of the stage.

John Lucas of University Communications will provide assistance if needed. To arrange an interview with the commencement speaker, Peace Corps director Gaddi Vasquez, please contact Lucas at (608) 262-8287 prior to commencement, if possible.

Vasquez, the son of a migrant farm worker, began his public service career as a police officer in Orange, Calif. He has served on the national advisory board of the Salvation Army and is a co-founding chair of the Orange County Hispanic Education Fund, which has raised more than $1 million to fund scholarships for Latino students.

Vasquez served in the administrations of three former California governors and was twice appointed to federal commissions by former president George H.W. Bush.

According to a recent Peace Corps news release, the organization has 7,733 volunteers serving in 71 countries this year - the highest number of volunteers in 29 years. Ninety-seven per cent of them have at least a bachelor's degree, and 13 percent have a master's degree.

Since the inception of the Peace Corps in 1961, some 2,668 UW-Madison alumni have devoted their time and energy to its cause, including Wisconsin governor Jim Doyle and his wife, Jessica. In 2003, the university led the country with 142 Peace Corps volunteers in the field, topping the nation for 17 consecutive years.

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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