Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges, both located in Northfield, Minn., have been ranked fifth and sixth respectively among small schools producing Peace Corps volunteers. The Peace Corps defines small schools and universities as those schools with less than 5,000 undergraduates. In the 36-year history of the Peace Corps, 354 Carleton alumni have joined the organization.
Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan wrote a letter to Carleton College President Stephen R. Lewis Jr. stating "You and the faculty at Carleton can take great pride in having instilled in your students a spirit of service and a sense of adventure. By serving as Peace Corps volunteers, your alumni have made a difference in the lives of people overseas and here at home."
In a letter to St. Olaf President Mark U. Edwards Jr., Gearan said "This is an outstanding contribution to the Peace Corps' legacy of service, and reflects the high caliber of your college and the students who attend. I congratulate you, your faculty and your students for this great achievement."
Gearan visited St. Olaf in 1996 to recognize the college as the top collegiate producer of Peace Corps Volunteers in 1995. St. Olaf was also the top collegiate Peace Corps volunteer source in 1996.
Today, nearly 6,600 Peace Corps volunteers are serving in 87 countries, working to help fight hunger, bring clean water to communities, teach children, start new small businesses, and prevent the spread of AIDS. Since 1961, more than 150, 000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps.