JMU No. 8 producer of Peace Corps volunteers

School has 41 alumni in organization

JMU was ranked No. 8 in the Peace Corps' 2004 list of "Top Producing Colleges and Universities" for the most volunteers in 2003.

"JMU alumni have had a long history of commitment to serving communities both locally and abroad," said Sara Johnston, the public affairs specialist for the Mid-Atlantic States Peace Corps Recruiting Office. "We've always been impressed with JMU's service-learning program. We congratulate JMU on its continued service."

With 41 alumni volunteers, JMU placed in the medium-sized colleges and universities division.

Schools are divided into three categories based on the size of their undergraduate student body. Colleges having less than 5,000 undergraduates are placed in the small category. Medium-sized schools are those with between 5,001 and 15,000 undergraduates. Those schools with over 15,000 students are considered large.

Listed in descending order before JMU is the University of Virginia (75 alumni), Georgetown University (66 alumni), Cornell University (56 alumni), the University of California — Santa Cruz (52 alumni), the College of William & Mary (51 alumni), Western Washington University (48 alumni) and George Washington University (44 alumni).

Joseph Opala, a history professor, volunteered for the Peace Corps.

"I didn't realize JMU is so high in the Peace Corps rankings," he said. "I'm glad to hear it."

Opala said he goes out of his way to recommend Peace Corps service to his students.

"For many recent college grads it's the best experience you can have," he said. "It gives you some chill-out time between college and grad school or your professional career, and the cross-cultural experience is, of course, invaluable."

He said he made lifelong friends with fellow volunteers and with people in his host country. Many volunteers, he added, "also develop a lifelong involvement with the country they serve in."

It's an absolutely tremendous experience," he said.

According to Peace Corps statistics, more and more graduates have volunteered. Currently, the organization boasts 7,533 volunteers and trainees. The total number to date stands at 170,000 with 137 countries served total.

"The important role that these alumni continue to play in promoting hope, opportunity and freedom cannot be underestimated," said director Gaddi H. Vasquez in the Peace Corps' news release Jan. 28.

While working with the Peace Corps, volunteers are active in a variety of areas including education, health, technology, business and agriculture. They must be 18 years of age and U.S. citizens. Serving requires a two-year commitment.

For more information concerning the Peace Corps and to view the complete list of Top Producing Colleges and Universities 2004 visit the Peace Corps Web site, www.peacecorps.gov.