Events

September 2, 2011

Rollins celebrates Peace Corps' 50th with new service program

The 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps will be commemorated at the Rollins School of Public Health on Thursday, Sept. 8, in the Claudia Nance Rollins Auditorium.

"Honoring Our Public Health Legacy, Inspiring Future Generations" will feature the signing of a partnership agreement between the Peace Corps and the Rollins School of Public Health for Rollins to join the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program. This program is a graduate school initiative with financial aid and career-building internships reserved for returned Peace Corps volunteers.

"We've piloted a Fellows program since August 2009 and witnessed great outcomes from our first group of Fellows," said Richard Levinson, executive associate dean of academic affairs at Rollins.

Levinson noted the Rollins volunteers "add a unique perspective to leadership and service, enhance our academic programs and students' field experiences, and reinforce a culture of service that is integral to public health."

As part of the new program, Fellows will participate in internships serving international refugee populations in the local Atlanta community through various local nonprofits including Refugee Family Services, Lutheran Services of Georgia, Clarkston Development Foundation, Fugees Family, Global Village School and Refugee Resettlement & Immigration Services of Atlanta.

Special guest at the anniversary event will be current Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams.

At a 1 p.m. panel discussion, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Carter Center, CARE, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Emory will discuss public health. They will highlight the impact Peace Corps volunteers have made during the past five decades and continue to make to improve health around the world.

The event is co-sponsored by Rollins and the Atlanta Area Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, and is open to everyone in the Emory community. RSVP to: emory@peacecorps.gov or call 404.562.3469.

File Options

  • Print Icon Print