JMU ranked fourth in the nation for its number of graduates serving in the U.S. Peace Corps among medium-sized colleges and universities.

Rich Harris, director of Community Service-Learning, said there is a growing service ethic among students.

"Our goal is lifelong service and civic engagement," Harris said. Programs such as Alternative Spring Break are designed to teach lifelong community involvement.

Increased involvement in JMU’s service projects correlated with the number of graduates joining the Peace Corps, Harris said. Between 1961 and 1998, only 100 JMU alumni had served or were serving at the time. Currently, there are 259 alumni in the Peace Corps, 57 of whom are active.

Peace Corps recruiter John Lee was in the Dominican Republic from 2002-’04.

"I wanted to do something that was going to challenge myself and push my comfort level," Lee said.
A general information session will be held by Lee Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the College Center.