As Peace Corps volunteers, more than 300 Colgate alumni have made valuable contributions in some of the more remote areas of the world, including Ghana, Botswana, and Palau.
In fact, with 18 alumni currently serving in the Peace Corps, Colgate is the 10th highest producer of volunteers among small colleges and universities, according to a ranking recently released by the organization.
The university moved up seven spots from last year’s ranking.
“Colgate’s standing shows how dedicated our students and alumni are to community service and demonstrates their ability to interact with people of different cultures,” said Ursula Olender, director of career services.
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Because of the university’s strong emphasis on service-learning and study-abroad programs, Colgate alumni are often the perfect fit for the Peace Corps.
“By applying the skills and knowledge they acquired during their time at Colgate, these graduates are helping improve the lives of people across the globe,” said Ron Tschetter, Peace Corps director.
A mission lasts 27 months — three months of training and two years of service — and volunteers are placed deep within a culture, living side by side with those whom they serve.
Following his graduation from Colgate, Rick Bailey ’65 decided to forgo a career in the corporate world for a mission in a remote area of Liberia that lacked electricity and running water.
Bailey’s experience as a teacher in a small elementary school left such an impression on him that he stayed in Liberia for an additional two years.
“My time overseas had a profound impact on my life,” he said. “It led to my teaching career and lifelong interest in Africa, which I still express today by taking mission trips.”