Originally published Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Editorial
UW alums give peace a chance
For the second year in a row, the University of Washington tops the list of large colleges sending volunteers to the Peace Corps. This achievement shines as brightly as the university's academic and research distinctions.
For the second year in a row, the University of Washington tops the list of large colleges sending volunteers to the Peace Corps. This achievement shines as brightly as the university's academic and research distinctions.
Educating young people about the world they live in is one challenge. Creating an environment that nurtures a desire to take those lessons into the world to help others is quite another. Graduate student Tom Edwardsen, the Peace Corps' part-time campus representative, works through the Career Center. He attributes part of UW's admirable record to strong academic programs that coincide with the Peace Corps' areas of emphasis — business, health, education and the environment. Combine that with a campus culture of public service and an appreciation for volunteers.
The University of Washington leads the nation, but other Pacific Northwest colleges and universities are also high achievers. The University of Oregon is No. 10 on the list of large schools. Western Washington University in No. 3 for medium-size colleges. The honor roll is even more crowded among small campuses: Gonzaga University, Willamette University and University of Puget Sound rank Nos. 2, 3 and 4 nationally. Lewis & Clark College is tied for No. 6, and Reed College is tied for 21st. UW ranks first among graduate schools.
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. left behind a timeless challenge: "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing to help others?"
On campus, those words are invoked by the Carlson Leadership & Public Service Center, which is part of the outward-looking environment that helps the UW cultivate legions of volunteers. Monday is the center's Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
More than 1,000 students are signed up for outdoor-restoration projects, work at the Northwest Harvest distribution center, chores at homeless shelters — even work on a United Way project to assist with tax preparation.
Thus the seeds are planted for a lifetime of service. And some will go into the Peace Corps. UW is third on the all-time list of volunteers since 1961.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
nwautos
Associated Press Study: Fatal crashes down in Washington Last year Washington's roads were the scene of the fewest fatal crashes since 1955. According...
Post a comment
nwjobs
Post a comment
Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
Five reasons to stick with a job you hate -- for now
Post a comment
- Alaska Air dropping Jones Soda beverages, going back to Coca-Cola
- Man found shot dead in pickup truck in Seattle
- Seattle is first U.S. stop for Picasso exhibit
- Husky Football Blog | Pac-10 expansion to get consideration over next year
- Phil Harris, 53, of 'Deadliest Catch,' dies
- State Senate votes to clear way for tax increases
- Teen is beaten in bus tunnel; Metro to review policies
- Idol Confessions | "American Idol" hopeful from Seattle didn't make it to Hollywood afterall
- Belltown boulevard could be completed by early next year
- Nicole Brodeur | Chrisceda Clemmons' house wasn't the only casualty
- Republicans may be no-shows at health-plan summit
279 - State Senate votes to clear way for tax increases
263 - Pac-10 expansion to get consideration over next year
250 - Lee undergoes foot surgery
233 - Obama: GOP and Dems together can spur job growth
213 - Fort Lewis soldier charged with abusing 4-year-old, holding her head in water
196 - Bus-tunnel attack while guards watched prompts review of Metro security
184 - Rivals names Martin one of Pac-10's best recruiters
143 - Belltown boulevard could be completed by early next year
129 - White House mocks Sarah Palin from podium
102
- Seattle is first U.S. stop for Picasso exhibit
- Belltown boulevard could be completed by early next year
- 747-8 soars smoothly on first outing
- Wine Adviser | Oregon's quality pinots join the bargain ranks
- Alaska Air dropping Jones Soda beverages, going back to Coca-Cola
- Phil Harris, 53, of 'Deadliest Catch,' dies
- How clean are those pre-washed salad greens?
- Snap out of your photo funk: How to make sense of all those piles of images
- Answers to biggest Olympic TV questions
- Brier Dudley's Blog | Google rolls its own Facebook & Twitter with Gmail "Buzz"






