50th anniversary of the peace corps
There was a lovely ceremony at 2 this morning that I stumbled upon that talked all about this historical movement and it got me thinking of how proud I am to be able to go to a university that makes such a big impact around the world. So this post is for anyone who has participated in the peace corps or dedicated their lives to equally great causes and represent the university so well.
Go Blue, I am damn proud to be a wolverine
October 14th, 2010 at 5:28 AM ^
George Bush (41, not 43), then vice president, spoke from the steps of the Union to commemorate the 25th anniversary of JFK's speech. A large crowd attended to witness the event. It was that momentous an occasion back then. While I appreciate that this was a moving remembrance this morning, is there no more public event planned for the 50th anniversary?
October 14th, 2010 at 9:12 AM ^
http://peacecorps.umich.edu/events.
The major public events continue at the Union at 10:30 this morning. 1500 people at the Union this morning at 2am. Yet another reason why it's great to be a Michigan Wolverine!
October 14th, 2010 at 10:20 AM ^
...event, especially because my older brother was then serving in the Peace Corps in Mali.
Peace Corps volunteers truly are dedicated public servants.
October 14th, 2010 at 12:17 PM ^
I just remember that he spoke at commencement during the first Gulf War when my cousin graduated. And there were people who refused to go to their own graduation as a sign of protest. I don't think I could've done that and my cousin definitely attended, but I was wondering if you knew anything about that.
October 14th, 2010 at 1:08 PM ^
Bush gave the commencement address in 1991. The other event was in 1985.
October 14th, 2010 at 5:51 AM ^
October 14th, 2010 at 9:07 AM ^
Very cool! Can't wait to see it.
October 14th, 2010 at 7:36 AM ^
Annarbor.com article on the event has a "video" of Kennedy's speech (really just the audio with photos). I hadn't realized that Kennedy in the speech was apparently the first to refer to Harvard as the "Michigan of the East":
Kennedy appeared at 2 a.m. and decided to say a few words. He drew loud cheers with his opening line.
“I want to express my thanks to you, as a graduate of the Michigan of the East, Harvard University,” he said, according to a transcript of the speech.
October 14th, 2010 at 8:02 AM ^
I know this probably isn't what you meant, but there will be something said at the football game Saturday, and you'll see a bunch of Peace Corps alumni on the field.
October 14th, 2010 at 11:01 AM ^
The MMB/Alumni Band halftime show this weekend will pay tribute to the Peace Corps as well.
October 14th, 2010 at 9:15 AM ^
Is the plaque commerating JFK's speech still at the Union?
October 14th, 2010 at 10:18 AM ^
October 14th, 2010 at 1:03 PM ^
I thought that was where it was located. Appreciate the confirmation.
October 14th, 2010 at 9:42 AM ^
Kind of ironic that the man who started the peace corps died such a violent death. Gandhi also comes to mind as a peaceful man who was assassinated.
October 14th, 2010 at 10:03 AM ^
This Sunday night, October 17th, A documentary about hte Peace Corps will be showing on the Big Ten Network at 9:00pm ET. The title of the documentary is "A Passing of the Torch". The writer/director was commissioned by the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor to produce this film for the 50th celebration of the Peace Corps. It is an hour long show. Sometime in November it is scheduled to run on (at least) the local Detroit PBS stations.
October 14th, 2010 at 10:37 AM ^
Very cool indeed, just wish I was in Ann Arbor today to be there. (Hi Kyle, hope you're enjoying Nicaragua)
October 15th, 2010 at 8:25 AM ^
...Peace Corps news:
U-M and the Peace Corps have announced a new partnership to pair graduate studies in social work, natural resources and the environment, landscape architecture, and a master’s degree in education with Peace Corps volunteer service.
The School of Education, School of Natural Resources and Environment, and School of Social Work will offer selected students the opportunity to receive credit hours for their Peace Corps service through the Master’s International program.
In commemoration of presidential candidate John F. Kennedy’s speech at the university 50 years ago that led to the creation of the program, Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams and President Mary Sue Coleman on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding welcoming U-M to the Master’s International program. U-M is one of the top producers of Peace Corps volunteers. Historically, 2,331 U-M alumni have served in the Peace Corps.
The Peace Corps’ Master’s International program allows volunteers to combine Peace Corps service with a master’s degree program and receive credit for their Peace Corps service abroad. Participants must apply to Peace Corps and U-M separately, and students selected to the program would receive credit hours for their time spent volunteering for the Peace Corps.
Participants in more than 60 Peace Corps Master’s International programs typically finish one year of graduate school in the U.S. before earning additional academic credit while serving as Peace Corps volunteers abroad. Upon their return, Master’s International participants complete any remaining academic degree requirements.
Sounds like a great program for folks studying those disciplines.