IU ranks high in Peace Corps volunteers

IU now ranks 11th among large universities in the number of college graduates who join the Peace Corps, according to a 2003 study.\nWith over 7,500 volunteers currently serving as active or training members, the Peace Corps continues to see rising numbers -- on average, 15 percent -- in college alumni across the nation, the highest since the 1970s, a press release reported Tuesday. \nWith the University of Wisconsin-Madison in first place, the Peace Corps announced IU at eleventh among large universities, with a total of 71 alumni -- 11 joining last year.\nIU Peace Corps representative Thomas Bonnenfant said he has witnessed a heightened interest by undergraduates already this year.\n"It's starting to pick up even after a week of classes," he said.\nThis is IU's first year with a specific person representing the Peace Corps. Bonnenfant said IU's representative might explain the growing interest in enrollment.\n"It definitely helps being here to talk one-on-one with the students," said Bonnenfant. "I think that could be a reason for more students joining."\nThe only requirements the organization enforces is the minimum age of 18 with a 27-month commitment, according to the recent press release.\nBonnenfant said there's no typical type of person who shows particular attention to the program.\n"You get all walks of life," he said. "It's pretty broad -- all sorts of majors, from psychology to political science. And you get all kinds of people -- even older people and professors."\nBut each individual embodies one motive.\n"They want to use something they take for granted, like English, and pass it to someone else," said Bonnenfant.\nSenior Patrick Coad, a potential member, said he feels this way as well. \n"Those people require more attention from me than my own needs do," he said. "I think a lot of why I want to do it comes from where I'm from. I've always been over-privileged -- spoon-fed -- and it made me want to provide those things to other people." \nAnd for some, like Bonnenfant, serving in the Peace Corps is only the beginning of a career.\n"I loved it (the Peace Corps) so much that I joined the central Eurasian studies department," he said. "And that's why I came to IU."\nBonnenfant now provides information and support for those interested in beginning their mission after life at IU. He helps seniors make final decisions, finding personal reasons to commit themselves.\n"It's an opportunity to live and work within a different culture while traveling, and besides, it's an opportunity to give back," senior Zach Tennant said. "I've been very fortunate. I've gotten an education that I want to get back."\nBut Tennant's experience in the Peace Corps will be slightly different than most.\nAfter graduating this spring, Tennant and his fiancé, senior Amy Younger, plan to join the Peace Corps together after they get married.\n"We both had strong intentions (to join)," said Tennant. "And once it came up between us, we really thought about it. Now we're 110 percent sure we want to do it and follow through."\nTennant said he thinks his marriage with Younger will definitely be challenged while overseas.\n"I think it will strengthen our relationship, too," he said. "We'll use each other as support."\nFor more information about the Peace Corps, attend the informational meeting at 6:30 p.m. next Wednesday in the School of Education, Room 1120.\n-- Contact copy chief Stacie Vasko at svasko@indiana.edu.