Peace Corps Community in the News

Before I Was a Politico and a Journalist, I Was a U.S. Capitol Police Officer, by Chris Matthews in Washington Monthly | January 24, 2025. “In 1971, I served as a Capitol Policeman. A decade later, I was the chief of staff to Speaker of the House Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, Jr. I knew what it was like to check the doors as a Capitol cop and to have a prime office only a few feet from the Speaker’s Door, where the attackers fought their way viciously past police for further bedlam into the House chamber itself.” —Chris Matthews (Swaziland 1968-70). Illinois alumna talks career, transformative experiences during inaugural speaker series, by Analicia Haynes in Illinois International News | January 25, 2025. Annie Jones joined the Peace Corps right out of college and volunteered in Ethiopia (2018-20). When her Peace Corps tour ended, she said her next step, at first, . . .

Pamlico Community College appoints new president, By Maya Geving on WITN.com | January 17, 2025. Zac Schnell (Philippines 2012-14) earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Technology and Management from N.C. State and went on to earn a master’s degree in Natural Resources from NCSU. He spent two years in the Peace Corps, working on coastal resource management projects in the Philippines. He also worked at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Institute at Tremont. Africa: A Conversation with Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield: Reflecting on U.S.-Africa Relations at the Center for International and Strategic Studies in Washington, DC | All Africa | January 15, 2025. “Our Peace Corps volunteers have been part – I mean, I meet so many Africans who are my generation who say: my Peace Corps teacher was the person who taught me to speak English, and I will never forget that person. Americans generally have this sense of . . .

Fairmount College to induct two into Hall of Fame, By Cheryl K. Miller | Wichita State University News, January 10, 2025. Mark G. Wentling (Honduras 1967-69); 1970, Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology, Economics and Political Science. Mark spent more than 40 years as an international development and humanitarian assistance specialist, working primarily in Africa for the Peace Corps and the United States Agency for International Development. Marquis Who’s Who Honors Dr. Emily Moore for Expertise in Physical Education, in 24-7PressRelease | January 12, 2025. Beyond her professional endeavors, Dr. Emily Moore is deeply involved in civic activities. She has been an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, contributing to scholarship programs that support graduating students. Her international experiences include serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nigeria (1965-67) during tumultuous times and participating as an ambassador in the People to People Program in South Africa. ‘Stuart Blackburn’s Own Luck of . . .

      Fred Lonidier’s casual photography: part I, by Nilo Goldfarb, University of California, San Diego— December 23, 2024 In 1967, Lonidier joined the Peace Corps in the Philippines with his first wife, Paulette Liang, but his time there was cut short by a presidential appeal denying his draft deferral. Prior to his departure, Lonidier successfully wrote and published a letter to the editors of the Philippine Free Press and Manila Times, presenting the American interruption of his service as a disproof of the nation’s claim to be “on the side of peace.” The letter landed him in front of the press on his return flight home, just two and a half months later…” UK professor recognized with lifetime achievement award for decades of community development contributions, by Zoey Ortega, University of Kentucky—December 23, 2024 “This work feeds my soul,” Hustedde said. “What I love is seeing people transform . . .

International Volunteer Day—Implications for an accidental volunteer, By Dianne Hambrook in South Seas | December 16, 2024. “There are no Peace Corps in the Solomon Islands now. We’re not sure why exactly, some directive at a government level. But the Western Province holds particular significance for their organisation, it’s where JFK was marooned during World War II after his patrol torpedo boat was run over by a Japanese destroyer. If he hadn’t survived, the Peace Corps wouldn’t have come into existence.” NASA Astronaut Joseph M. Acaba shares life insights at BRAC, The Daily Star | December 16, 2024. “Without my teacher, I wouldn’t be an astronaut.” (Editor: Mr. Acaba served in the Dominican Republic, 1994-96, not the Bahamas, as the article states). Defendant Pleads Not Guilty in Connection to Murder of Peace Corps Worker, By Adriana Marroquin in DC Witness |December 16, 2024. Dearay Wilson, 29, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree . . .