Last week marked 50 years from the time that a young Presidential candidate named John F. Kennedy made a speech on the steps of the Michigan Union. That historic speech became the call to arms for the Peace Corps. I got to go back to my alma mater last week and be a small part of the kick-off festivities for the anniversary.
I still remember what my friend, J. Wesley Simms, said to me. JW and I share a birthdate, he was a year ahead. He joined and went to Mali about a year or so ahead of when I joined, and got invited to ... Hungary.
I was an Asian Studies and English (creative writing and literature) major, but after 1989, they were sending all those who could teach English to Eastern Europe. JW said he wanted to do the Peace Corps in part because he wanted to be able to say he did at least one thing in his life that made a difference. I think it is important for a lot of volunteers who join to be able to say their work does make that difference.
I remember when I was a newly returned volunteer in the 1990s and got to participate as the "90s volunteer" during the 35th anniversary events in Washington DC in 1996. I was supposed to speak about the "Peace" in "Peace Corps" as reflected in my life. I got to speak because I was a successful volunteer in the field with projects that continued today in Hungary, and in part because I was still working with a nonprofit. My older self looking back at my younger self, I still find that my Peace Corps experience continues to define me now, every day. I continue working with non-profits, and realize the pursuits that truly enliven me.
When I was sitting at the Brown Jug late last Thursday night, looking at a rowdy group of current students, I just was struck with what a wonderful campus Michigan is, and what a pivotal time in my life both Michigan and Peace Corps were for me. So I got to step on the field of the Big House on Saturday ... many many people who love UM dearly never get there, so this was a very special experience, and all because as a young graduate of UM, I made the decision to join the Peace Corps, and did the best I could in all my situations.
I still remember where I was and the person who told me, "Do you know that Peace Corps is going to Eastern Europe now?"
UM's Peace Corps link
Peace Corps' 50th at Michigan makes the New Yorker to-do list.
