WASHINGTON, D.C., March 2, 1996 - Peace Corps has been ranked the top recruiter of all college graduates for 1996, according to an annual survey conducted by The Black Collegian magazine. By accepting 3,293 college graduates this year, the Peace Corps ranked ahead of such well-known corporations as Arthur Andersen, IBM and KPMG Peat Marwick, and other governmental agencies, such as the U.S. Marines and Coast Guard.
"We are extraordinarily pleased to offer so many Americans the chance to serve as Peace Corps volunteers," said Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan. "As a volunteer agency asking people to go overseas and perform extremely difficult assignments, it is gratifying to see that the spirit of service of many graduating seniors is so strong. "
The Black Collegian survey was mailed to hundreds of employers nationwide in business and government. In its Spring 1996 issue, the magazine lists the top 100 employers, with Peace Corps at the top of the list. The remaining top five are: Andersen Consulting, LLP; Arthur Andersen, LLP; Enterprise Rent-A-Car; and Deloitte & Touche LLP.
Peace Corps also ranked number one in recruitment for 12 job categories listed by major, including Agribusiness,Biology,Elementary Education,Nursing and Chemistry.
Peace Corps, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, was founded by President John F. Kennedy to offer trained men and women to countries in need. Currently, nearly 7,000 volunteers serve in 94 countries. More than 140,000 Americans have returned from Peace Corps service since the agency began in 1961.