FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, January 25, 1999

Moses Turner Named Peace Corps Country Director in South Africa; Michigan State Vice President Has Distinguished Career in Academia

Washington, D.C., Jan. 25, 1999—Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan announced today the appointment of Dr. Moses Turner, vice president for student affairs and services and professor of higher education administration at Michigan State University, to be the agency\'s new country director in South Africa. "Moses\' commitment to education makes him an ideal choice for this vital position," said Gearan. "His background as an educator, administrator, and leader in academia at Michigan State, as well as his extensive international experience, particularly in South Africa, will be invaluable as he leads the Peace Corps in its efforts to continue to help South Africa make its historic transition to democracy." Turner, 60, of Athens, Ga., served for 15 years as vice president for student affairs and services and professor of higher education administration at Michigan State University, in East Lansing, Mich. He also held administrative posts at Washington State University in Pullman, Wash., and Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Tex. In addition, he has worked in South Africa with educational leaders and students on both the national and regional levels. He has also worked with the National Taiwan University, Bonn University, the University of Zimbabwe, the University of Nairobi and the University of Egerton in Kenya. He has also been involved in efforts to enhance administrative practices with other higher educational institutions in Israel and Egypt. Turner, who will begin his duties on February 1, will oversee about 100 Peace Corps volunteers who are helping schools in rural areas with training and income-generating efforts. The first group of Peace Corps volunteers to serve in South Africa began working there two years ago. The newest group of Peace Corps volunteers to serve in South Africa will arrive in February. He earned his bachelor\'s degree from Albany State College in 1962, his master\'s degree from Central Washington State College in 1969, and his Ph.D. in education from Washington State University in 1974. In 1984, Turner received a diploma from the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University. In 1995, he received the prestigious Outstanding Dean Award from the National Association of Student Personnel Professionals. He and his wife, Joan Turner, have three children. Currently, nearly 6,700 Peace Corps volunteers are working in 80 countries in education, the environment, health and nutrition, business advising, and community development. Since 1961, more than 150,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps.

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