Colorado State University’s Long Association with the Peace Corps Helps Fort Collins-Loveland Lead Nation in Volunteers

Fort Collins-Loveland ranks No. 1 in Peace Corps volunteers in metropolitan areas for 2012 – a continuation of the area’s more than 50-year commitment to the international volunteer organization.

Fort Collins-Loveland’s per capita average of 14.7 volunteers per 100,000 residents ousted two-time champion Missoula, Mont., from the top spot. Fort Collins-Loveland was the only city in Colorado to be ranked in the top 10 in the annual survey.

Earlier this year, Colorado State University ranked sixth in the nation in the number of graduate alumni serving in the Peace Corps and in the top 15 for undergraduates. CSU was the only university to rank in the top 15 in both categories.

CSU and the Fort Collins area have long ties to the Peace Corps. The late Maury Albertson, a CSU engineering professor, and two colleagues, Pauline Birky- Kreutzer and Andrew Rice, co-authored the book, "New Frontiers for American Youth – Perspective on the Peace Corps," that set the framework for the creation of the Peace Corps in 1961.

“This is an impressive accomplishment and honor for our community, and recognizes CSU’s 50-plus year connection with the Peace Corps,” said Jim Cooney, vice provost for International Affairs at CSU. “Our involvement with the Peace Corps includes authoring the original feasibility study, developing top-ranked Peace Corps Master’s International programs and being a national leader in Peace Corps recruiting.”

In addition to being a national leader in student recruitment, CSU offers the Peace Corps Master’s International degree, which includes a year of on-campus study followed by a two-year Peace Corps assignment.

Since 1961, more than 1,500 CSU alumni have served in the Peace Corps, ranking 14th on the all-time list.

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