Bates and Colby colleges often have graduates who become Peace Corps volunteers.
LEWISTON – When Brian Knudsen graduated from Bates College with a major in environmental science and minors in economics and Chinese, he knew exactly what he wanted to do: join the Peace Corps.
“Teaching environmental education in China was right up my alley,” said Knudsen, who graduated in 2001. “I was at a transition point in my life. It was perfect.”
At other expensive private colleges, new grads might balk at spending two years in a foreign country, volunteering to work on humanitarian projects for a small living allowance. But at Bates, Knudsen was one of the crowd.
Eleven other Bates alumni joined the Peace Corps in 2001. Another 13 joined in 2002. And 15 more joined in 2003.
That makes Bates one of America’s top sources of Peace Corps volunteers.
Strong focus
Already interested in social justice and environmental issues, Knudsen said Bates compelled him to get even more involved.
Many of his classes emphasized service learning. His major required community work.
His professors were more likely to ask, “What are you going to do with your life?” than, “How are you going to earn money?”
“I didn’t have any urge to jump into a Boston accounting job,” Knudsen said.
His sister had joined the Peace Corps after graduating from Colby College in Waterville. His experience at Bates seemed to lead him down the same path.
“Bates had a very strong focus. They definitely pushed you toward social work,” he said.
Ten days after graduation, Knudsen was on a plane to China
Of America’s hundreds of small colleges, Bates and Colby often rank in the top 20 for graduates who become Peace Corps volunteers, said Maine Peace Corps Recruiter Christopher Lins.
In 2003, Bates ranked 22nd. Colby ranked 20th.
So far this year, Bates has not made the top 25. Colby is in a four-way tie for 22nd.
Because Peace Corps applications are accepted constantly, the rankings change every few months. Bates could be back on the list with the next round of applications.
Knudsen won’t be there to help boost the ranking. His two-year tour ended about a year ago. But his public service didn’t.
He is working as an AmeriCorps volunteer with the American Red Cross in Portland.
“Volunteerism is a way of life and it’s taught at these schools,” Knudsen said. “It will make my life and hopefully a lot of other people’s lives a lot better.”
‘Root values’
Knudsen’s experience isn’t unusual, said Bates College spokesman Bill Hiss.
Started in 1855 by abolitionists, the liberal arts school has spent decades encouraging students to experience the world and to serve their communities. About two-thirds of the school’s 1,700 students study overseas. Every year, dozens bypass corporate jobs in favor of a place at Teach for America, AmeriCorps and other volunteer organizations.
Bates graduates began joining the Peace Corps soon after the program started in 1961.
“It’s part of the fundamental root values at Bates,” said Hiss, an alum whose own roommate joined the Peace Corps in 1966.
Senior Ben Clements is ready to continue the trend.
A 21-year-old English major, Clements started thinking about the Peace Corps last year while studying in Ecuador.
Now just months from graduation, he has applied for teaching jobs. But it’s his Peace Corps application that means the most to him.
“I have some skills that maybe someone could use,” he said.
Clements wants to see the world, he said. He wants to bring a positive image of America to other cultures. He wants to make a difference in people’s lives
And he credits Bates with that desire.
Said Clements, “It’s more of a humanitarian education.”
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