Peace Corps recognizes 'U'

Peace Corps Deputy Director Charles Baquet recognized the University as a major contributor of Peace Corps volunteers in a speech last night at the Michigan Union, where former President John F. Kennedy announced his plans to establish the Peace Corps in 1960.

Appearing in front of a crowd of about 70 former Peace Corps volunteers, family members of current volunteers and aspiring corps volunteers, Baquet presented Vice President for Student Affairs Maureen Hartford with a plaque acknowledging the University's support of the Peace Corps' efforts.

JOHN KRAFT/Daily Peace Corps Deputy Director Charles Baquet presents an award to Vice President for Student Affairs Maureen Hartford on the steps of the Michigan Union yesterday.

"Michigan has always been a leader in terms of producing Peace Corps volunteers," Baquet said.

The Peace Corps has a history at the University dating back to 1960. At 2 a.m. on October 14 of that year, then-presidential candidate Kennedy spoke to University students on the steps of the Union urging them to devote two years of their lives to working with people of developing countries and to "help them help themselves."

Officially established in 1961, the Peace Corps has worked in 132 countries and trained 150,000 volunteers in areas such as education, health and agriculture. Since then, more than 1,000 University students have served as Peace Corps volunteers around the world.

The former U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti, Baquet alluded to many of the projects currently operating in the 84 countries the Peace Corps currently serves.

He addressed former volunteers, thanking them for their generosity and support, and encouraged them to help in the recruiting of like-minded people to serve as volunteers in the future.

Baquet encouraged people to give back to the organization that enhanced their lives.

"It's pay back time," Baquet said.

In a request to the federal government last week, Baquet, along with the director of the Peace Corps, described the benefits an increase of $50 million would have on its present programs.

In his talk, Baquet highlighted one such project called The Millennia. In this new project, the Peace Corps aims to significantly increase the number of its volunteers by the year 2000.

"We're doing a no-holds-barred, unplugged effort to get more volunteers." Baquet said.

Speaking to undergraduate students, Baquet characterized the Peace Corps as an "intermediate step" students can take as a way to develop interests and participate in a life-changing experience.

"Peace Corps is a great place to acquire focus," Baquet said.

Prospective volunteers said the deputy director's speech was inspirational.

"It made me really want to do this," said LSA senior Aaron Mann. "I really like helping people ... the Peace Corps looks like a good way to do it."

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