2010.11.04: November 4, 2010: Thailand RPCV Alan Guskin's role in conceiving and organizing a group that led President John F. Kennedy to establish the Peace Corps 50 years ago

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Thailand: Peace Corps Thailand: Peace Corps Thailand: Newest Stories: 2010.11.04: November 4, 2010: Thailand RPCV Alan Guskin's role in conceiving and organizing a group that led President John F. Kennedy to establish the Peace Corps 50 years ago

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Thailand RPCV Alan Guskin's role in conceiving and organizing a group that led President John F. Kennedy to establish the Peace Corps 50 years ago

Thailand RPCV Alan Guskin's role in conceiving and organizing a group that led President John F. Kennedy to establish the Peace Corps 50 years ago

"We (Guskin and his ex-wife Judy) organized a group on campus; it was electrifying." Guskin said. "People came out of the woodwork, passing out petitions, students saying they were willing to serve." Guskin went to a local restaurant and composed a letter to the editor on a napkin, calling university students to respond to the call to serve. He went to the student paper. The editor read the letter and said, "It's good, I'll print it." The editor, by the way, was Tom Hayden, who would go on to found the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and later served as a California state congressman and senator. One of the student's mother was a campaign worker for Sen. Kennedy, and called campaign headquarters to let them know what was going on at the University of Michigan. A few weeks later, Kennedy met with the students in Toledo, Ohio. The meeting was somewhat private, Guskin said – just students and Kennedy, and just one publication, the university newspaper. "He wasn't using it for political purposes," Guskin said. "We met Kennedy and asked him if he was committed," Kennedy's response was, "Until Tuesday (election day) we worry about this country, after that – the world." Shortly after that meeting, Kennedy gave a speech at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, the first time he spoke directly about the Peace Corps. So, in the course of a few short days, actions by a group of students started a process that would change the world. They didn't know where their vision was headed; they just wanted to help. "We were known as the quiet generation, just study and do what you're told," Guskin said. "But there were stirrings. "We wanted to make a difference. It was very personal, not a big policy idea. The students weren't typical student activists. "I'm astounded. In 19 days, we literally affected the president to come out for the Peace Corps."

Thailand RPCV Alan Guskin's role in conceiving and organizing a group that led President John F. Kennedy to establish the Peace Corps 50 years ago

Edmonds resident receives Michigan honors

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Published on Thu, Nov 4, 2010 by Pat Ratliff

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Anyone who has served in the Peace Corps or appreciated the benefits the program has provided worldwide can thank Edmonds resident Alan Guskin.

Guskin recently returned home from Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he was honored at ceremonies at the University of Michigan on Oct. 14.

Guskin was feted for his role in conceiving and organizing a group that led President John F. Kennedy to establish the Peace Corps 50 years ago.

For his contribution, Guskin was also honored as University of Michigan Alum of the Year for Distinguished Service.

The manner in which events led to the founding of the Peace Corps is quite a story, a tale which – until now – Guskin had never told in its entirety.

"I'm amazed that what we did 50 years ago is being documented," Guskin said. "For years, I wouldn't tell the story.

"I never said a word. Who would believe it?"

The foundation was laid in Ann Arbor at 2 a.m. on Oct. 14, 1960. Presidential candidate and Sen. John Kennedy gave a speech on the steps of the Student Union at the University of Michigan and, despite the late hour, some 10,000 students were in attendance.

"Basically, Kennedy had just finished the last of three Kennedy-Nixon debates," Guskin said. "He flew to Michigan to start a whistle-stop campaign.

"His speech at the University of Michigan was off the cuff and lasted about three minutes."

During that speech, Kennedy spoke to the students about their role in the future and how they could represent the United States.

"How many of you who are going to be doctors are willing to spend your days in Ghana?" asked Kennedy.

"Technicians or engineers, how many of you are willing to work in the Foreign Service and spend your lives traveling around the world?"

At first, nothing was done after the speech, but it must have been dwelling in the minds of those students.

Four days later, Chester Bowles, who was Sen. Kennedy's foreign policy advisor, spoke to a group of students on campus. They were expecting 50, but around 500 showed up.

"He started talking about his son and daughter-in-law working in Nigeria," Guskin said.

This seemed to be when the spark ignited… hearing an example of that foreign service.

"We (Guskin and his ex-wife Judy) organized a group on campus; it was electrifying." Guskin said. "People came out of the woodwork, passing out petitions, students saying they were willing to serve."

Guskin went to a local restaurant and composed a letter to the editor on a napkin, calling university students to respond to the call to serve.

He went to the student paper. The editor read the letter and said, "It's good, I'll print it."

The editor, by the way, was Tom Hayden, who would go on to found the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and later served as a California state congressman and senator.

One of the student's mother was a campaign worker for Sen. Kennedy, and called campaign headquarters to let them know what was going on at the University of Michigan.

A few weeks later, Kennedy met with the students in Toledo, Ohio.

The meeting was somewhat private, Guskin said – just students and Kennedy, and just one publication, the university newspaper.

"He wasn't using it for political purposes," Guskin said. "We met Kennedy and asked him if he was committed,"

Kennedy's response was, "Until Tuesday (election day) we worry about this country, after that – the world."

Shortly after that meeting, Kennedy gave a speech at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, the first time he spoke directly about the Peace Corps.

So, in the course of a few short days, actions by a group of students started a process that would change the world.

They didn't know where their vision was headed; they just wanted to help.

"We were known as the quiet generation, just study and do what you're told," Guskin said. "But there were stirrings.

"We wanted to make a difference. It was very personal, not a big policy idea. The students weren't typical student activists.

"I'm astounded. In 19 days, we literally affected the president to come out for the Peace Corps."

It was a big deal, all right. So big that 50 years later, the University of Michigan has erected etched glass historical markers on the spot where students heard Kennedy speak.

A picture of Al Guskin with Kennedy is embedded in one of the markers.

And exactly 50 years later, at 2 a.m., Guskin spoke to some 1,500 students at a ceremony recognizing the effect the students had had on starting the Peace Corps.

During the ceremony, a one-hour documentary featuring Guskin and others was shown. The documentary will be shown on PBS this fall, and has been featured on NPR.

Guskin, meanwhile, has led a life of service.

Following the formation of the Peace Corps, he served as a teacher in Thailand for four years in the first group of Peace Corps volunteers.

He then helped create VISTA, and was head of the migrant farm worker program.

He later spent four years as a faculty member at the University of Michigan before becoming provost and acting president at Clark University; 10 years as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin, Parkside, and 12 years as president of Antioch College.

He currently serves as senior professor in a doctoral program with the university.

He has lived in Edmonds for 10 years with his wife Lois LaShell.



Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: November, 2010; Peace Corps Thailand; Directory of Thailand RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Thailand RPCVs; Presidents - Kennedy; The 1960's





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Story Source: Edmonds Beacon

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Thailand; Presidents - Kennedy; 1960s

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