JMU Ranks 14th Nationally For Peace Corps Volunteers

HARRISONBURG — James Madison University has again made the Peace Corps' top 25 list, but this time for large schools.

With 54 alumni now serving as volunteers, JMU is ranked No. 14 in the nation among large schools. Last year, JMU ranked second in the nation in the medium-size school category.

Schools are ranked according to the size of the student body. Small schools are those with less than 5,000 undergraduates, medium-size schools are those between 5,001 to 15,000 undergraduates, and large schools have more than 15,000 undergraduates.

In fall 2006, JMU enrolled 16,970 students, including 15,653 undergraduates.

Since Peace Corps' inception, 315 JMU alumni have joined the ranks of the Peace Corps, making the university the No. 129 producer of volunteers all time.

Changes marked this year's list, especially at the top. After 20 years of the University of Wisconsin-Madison being the top producer of Peace Corps volunteers, the University of Washington's 110 currently serving alumni moved them into the top spot for the first time since 1981.

All three of this year's top producers are new to that spot. In the medium-sized schools category, George Washington University vaulted four spots to No. 1. In the small-schools category, the University of Puget Sound also jumped four spots to the top.

In the second annual graduate-school rankings, the University of Michigan finds company at the top with the University of Washington. Both schools have 20 graduate school alumni serving. JMU is ranked No. 126 with two alumni with advanced degrees currently serving as volunteers.

"Peace Corps allows graduates to take their skills outside the classroom and make a real difference in the lives of people who can most use their help," said Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter. "The over 1,200 institutions of higher learning that have volunteers overseas, sharing what they have learned, should be proud of their contributions."

To view the entire "Peace Corps Top Colleges 2007" list, please visit the Peace Corps Web site at www.peacecorps.gov/news/resources/stats/pdf/schools2007.pdf.

The majority of volunteers in the Peace Corps have been college graduates although a degree is not a requirement. Currently, 93 percent of volunteers have at least an undergraduate degree; 12 percent possess a graduate-level degree.

The Peace Corps is celebrating a 45-year legacy of service at home and abroad. Since 1961, more than 187,000 volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries where volunteers have served. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.