FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, April 20, 1999

Peace Corps Director and Ohio Governor to Host Awards Ceremony; Gearan and Taft Will Present Community Service Awards to Former Volunteers

Washington, D.C., April 20, 1999—Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan and Ohio Governor Bob Taft will present a special community service award to former Peace Corps volunteers at the Ohio State University campus in Columbus on Wednesday, April 28 at 6:00 p.m. Taft is a returned Peace Corps volunteer, having served as a teacher in Tanzania from 1963-1965.
What:Community Service Awards for Former Peace Corps Volunteers in Ohio
Who:Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan and Ohio Governor Bob Taft
When:Wednesday, April 28, 6:00 Ð 8:00 p.m.
Where:Fawcett Center, Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
Background: Gearan and Taft will recognize one member from each of the five Ohio returned Peace Corps volunteer groups for their contributions to local communities. The groups are based in Athens, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Dayton. This year, the Peace Corps ranked Ohio State University as the 19th highest producer of currently serving Peace Corps volunteers, with 46 now serving. Since the Peace Corps was founded in 1961, more than 1,200 OSU alumni have served as Peace Corps volunteers. Right now, 250 Ohio residents are serving as Peace Corps volunteers; historically, nearly 6,500 Ohio residents have served in 134 countries.

# # #

---