Aug. 27, 1997 Contact Pauline Austin (541) 346-3129 EUGENE--The University of Oregon is ranked 13th among U.S. colleges and universities with the highest number of students volunteering for the Peace Corps since the organization was founded, according to a report just released by the agency. Fifty-five UO recruits are serving in the Peace Corps this year, placing the university eighth on the rankings for 1997. The UO is one of the smaller schools in the rankings, which lists institutions such as Harvard, the University of California at Los Angeles and Yale. "Those numbers are excellent, but they're even more impressive when you consider the size of the schools involved," says UO President Dave Frohnmayer. The UO Career Center compared the number of Peace Corps volunteers to the total student enrollment at each university. Under that formula, the UO placed 4th in the rankings. "The UO has a long and distinguished tradition of high student participation in the Peace Corps. I'm delighted this tradition continues and gratified at our students' commitment to public service," Frohnmayer says. UO Career Center Director Lawrence H. Smith says a large number of UO students identify with volunteer programs like the Peace Corps. "The students who select the UO are interested in world issues. They are interested in contributing and taking action to make the world a better place," Smith explains. The UO has a strong international studies department and offers Oregon students a great opportunity to learn about other cultures and the global marketplace in their undergraduate years, according to Smith. The UO international reputation for quality attracts more than 1,600 international students annually. President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961. Since then, 1,187 UO students have joined. This year, 6,500 Peace Corps volunteers are serving in 87 countries. -30- #P-6007/Local,OrDallies,PDX,PDX.,Spcl