Peace Corps to honor U.Va., volunteers March 15

The University will sponsor a daylong celebration of the 45th anniversary of the Peace Corps on March 15. The event will recognize and honor the Peace Corps and its returned volunteers. Established by President John F. Kennedy on March 1, 1961, the Peace Corps reflects the very best of the generous spirit of the American people. More than 400 U.Va. graduates have served in the Peace Corps since 2000, and over 800 throughout its history, to work in countries throughout the world. For the fifth consecutive year, U.Va. ranks No. 1 among comparably sized universities in sending its graduates into Peace Corps service.

U.Va.’s March 15 celebration begins at the Miller Center at 11 a.m. with featured speaker Tony Essaye, who served in the Peace Corps General Counsel’s office from 1963 to 1967 under Sargent Shriver, the first director of the agency. Later, in Newcomb Hall starting at 1:30 p.m., students and community members are invited to learn more about the Peace Corps from former volunteers giving talks and exhibiting artifacts representing their countries of service. The day culminates with a private dinner in the Dome Room of the Rotunda, when special guest Jody K. Olsen, the Peace Corps deputy director, will speak about “A Legacy of Service at Home and Abroad.” Olsen also will present a gift to the University in recognition of its strong tradition of service and support of the Peace Corps.

In addition, an exhibit of images of Peace Corps service, recorded by U.Va. alumni volunteers, will be on display in March in the Kaleidoscope Center in Newcomb Hall.

For more information, contact Suzanne Louis, director of U.Va.’s Lorna Sundberg International Center, at sl@virginia.edu or 924-7980.