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Allegheny Ranks Second Among Western Pennsylvania Schools in Alumni Who Have Served in the Agency

MEADVILLE, Pa. – Feb. 21, 2011 – Allegheny College will host two free public panel discussions on Wednesday, March 2, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Peace Corps.

At noon, current Peace Corps nominees will discuss their inspiration for volunteering as well as the application and interview process. Later in the day, at 4 p.m., Allegheny alumni, faculty and staff will share their memories of serving in the Peace Corps and the rewards of the experience. Both events will take place in Rooms 301/302 of the Henderson Campus Center.

Since 1961, 173 Allegheny alumni have served in the Peace Corps.  Among 60 colleges and universities in Western Pennsylvania, Allegheny ranks second in the number of graduates who have volunteered with the agency.

“We are extremely proud of the Allegheny community’s tradition of dedicated service in the Peace Corps,” said David Roncolato, director of community service and service-learning at Allegheny. “These alumni, faculty and staff have made a lasting difference in countries around the world and have set a remarkable example for our students. Allegheny seeks to prepare students to become informed, engaged citizens — last fall 1,132 Allegheny students contributed more than 25,000 hours of service to the region and beyond — and that ethic of service plays such an important role in the success of our partnership with the Peace Corps.”

Opportunities for community service are provided through the college’s Office of Community Service and Service-Learning, Center for Economic and Environmental Development, Center for Political Participation and student-led initiatives. Several academic departments also offer courses with a service-learning component, and Allegheny students who minor in Values, Ethics and Social Action are required to hold service leadership positions for at least one semester.

The 32nd oldest college in the nation, Allegheny College will celebrate its bicentennial in 2015. One of 40 colleges featured in Loren Pope’s “Colleges That Change Lives,” Allegheny also is one of 29 institutions participating in Project Pericles, which encourages and facilitates commitments by colleges and universities to include social responsibility and participatory citizenship as essential elements of their educational programs.

The national liberal arts college where 2,100 students with unusual combinations of interests, skills and talents excel