HAYLEY LERCH
staff writer
Many Pepperdine alumni have peaced out. They have chosen to use their skills to serve with the Peace Corps, which named Pepperdine one of the top producers of Peace Corps volunteers. Seventeen Pepperdine Alumni are currently serving abroad.
Pepperdine ranked No. 21 in the small colleges and universities category, which includes schools with fewer than 5,000 students. The University of Chicago, with 34 alumni volunteers, ranked No. 1 among small schools and Gonzaga University, with 32 volunteers, took the second spot.
“I think it is great that a school of this size has been able to supply as many volunteers as it has and that over the years they’ve been able to continue to do so,” said Shane Matthias, a Peace Corps recruiter who works with Pepperdine students.
Established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, the Peace Corps has sent 190,000 volunteers to 139 countries to promote understanding between cultures. Volunteers work on projects related to education, AIDS relief, the environment, information technology and other issues. There are currently 8,000 volunteers in 74 countries. Although older individuals and married couples serve, college graduates make up 95 percent of Peace Corps volunteers.
Pepperdine graduates have consistently made up a portion of this group. Since the program began, a total of 123 Pepperdine alumni, including Convocation and student-led ministries coordinator Chris Collins, have served with the Peace Corps.
“I had a strong feeling that I wanted to redistribute resources that I had been blessed with,” Collins said. “I saw the Peace Corps as a good outlet to engage in service.”
Collins, who graduated in 2002, worked with a human resources team dedicated to promoting education in Vanuatu, an island in the South Pacific. He served for 2 years, which is the required commitment for all applicants. The Peace Corps considers applicant preferences and skills in making geographic placements. Volunteers receive a living allowance, medical benefits and $6,000 upon completion of their service.
Junior Elliott Jones says he has considered applying for the program.
“I’ve always been interested in service, social justice and human rights,” Jones said. “While in college, I’ve grown up and found what I’m interested in and my place in the world.”
Though he is considering many post-graduate programs, Jones may continue his service activities with the Peace Corps after Pepperdine.
“Going to a Christian school has made me realize it’s about meeting God in your life instead of in Church or in a book,” Jones said.
The Peace Corps looks for a variety of factors when considering applicants.
“We look for people that are highly motivated and have altruistic ambitions and volunteer experience,” Matthias said.
The Peace Corps also looks for individuals who are patient and flexible. Though the application process takes nine months, applicants are likely to find out their geographic placement two months prior to their departure. During this time frame, applicants must be interviewed and pass medical and legal screenings.
An applicant must complete these steps before being offered an invitation by the Peace Corps.
“Many people do not consider themselves for the Peace Corps, but Peace Corps has a program or a job for everyone, so everyone interested should look into it,” Matthias said.
Collins said he sees the world differently since completing his service.
“While in Vanuatu, I realized that I was getting much more out of the program than I was actually offering,” Collins said. “While I was there I came to value indigenous ingenuity and self-sufficiency.”
Collins and many other alumni have chosen the Peace Corps as a way of continuing to serve the community after graduating from Pepperdine. In light of this recent award, Pepperdine continues to strengthen students for lives of purpose, service and leadership.
02-21-2008