Having recruited more than 1,000 volunteers from the University, the Peace Corps considers its relationship with this institution a special one.
The University’s Peace Corps branch is holding a special presentation tomorrow to commemorate Peace Corps Week and the University’s involvement in the program.
The presentation, which will take place in the EMU Ben Linder Room at 5:30 p.m., will highlight returned Peace Corps volunteers’ experiences in Haiti and how they have remained involved in Haiti through non-government organizations. The event will highlight not only the experiences of past volunteers, but will also engage students who might be interested in joining the Peace Corps.
“The main crux is for returned volunteers to share their experiences abroad and cultures and personal stories,” said Justin Overdevest, University Peace Corps campus representative.
Peace Corps Week takes place on the organization’s anniversary and this year celebrates 49 years. During the week, returned Peace Corps volunteers visit schools, organizations and campuses across the nation.
The Peace Corps is a federal program founded in 1961 and established by President John F. Kennedy’s administration as a way to challenge American citizens to do good in the world by living and working in developing countries while building ties of world peace and friendship.
Since its inception, there have been nearly 200,000 volunteers in more than 139 countries. Today, there are more than 7,600 volunteers serving in 76 countries. Peace Corps volunteers commit to the agency and the country they are sent to for 27
months: three months of domestic training and then two years abroad.
Overdevest, who is a graduate student and a returned Peace Corps volunteer in Peru and the Dominican Republic, said Eugene was a great place to cultivate future volunteers because “students are getting involved in so many facets of the community through volunteering and internships. Plus there is an interest in health, environmental causes and
nonprofit organizations.”
Melanie Forthun, a public affairs specialist and returned Peace Corps volunteer in Bulgaria, said the University ranked 11th nationally for schools producing Peace Corps volunteers, and that the University last year hit the 1,000th-volunteer mark, which is “a big deal.”
“We’re just thrilled with the support and interest that has come out of the University,” Forthun said. “We look forward to them being a strong producer of volunteers and strong supporters of world peace and friendship. The University continues to produce high-caliber and globally minded people that become fantastic Peace Corps volunteers.”
Overdevest said that this year the Peace Corps saw an increase in applications from the University.
“Part of it is the economy, and part of it is Obama’s call to service,” Overdevest said. He said many students still work for several years on internships and building community connections to become competitive applicants for the Peace Corps.
The Peace Corps also attracts prospective applicants because there are on-going career benefits during and post-service, and even a chance for some student loan deferment or in some cases, forgiveness, Forthun said.
“The inspiring part of my job is to see so many people interested in making an impact abroad and to then come back here and make more of an impact,” Overdevest said.

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