[media-credit name=’SUNDEEP MALLADI/Herald photo’ align=’alignright’ width=’336′][/media-credit]The University of Wisconsin welcomed past and future worldwide Peace Corps volunteers to campus Monday evening to kick off its Peace Corps week.

Ranking second in the nation in producing alumni volunteers — after a 20-year streak at No. 1 — UW has a long history of sending Peace Corps volunteers to destinations worldwide.

According to UW Peace Corps representative Greg Pepping, the university currently has 106 graduates serving in the Peace Corps, second only to the 110 volunteers from the University of Washington.

Peace Corps regional recruiter Erin McGillivray encouraged students who are hesitant to volunteer to educate themselves about the program and to talk with past volunteers.

"Madison is one of the best places in the nation to talk to returning Peace Corps members because many of them live here," McGillivray said, adding that past volunteers have countless stories and are more than happy to share them.

To encourage more students to volunteer after graduation, a reception was held at Smith Residence Hall Monday, complete with ethnic food from around the world and presentations of first-hand testimonies from former volunteers.

UW graduate Elliot Weber, who is leaving for Uganda March 2, said he is looking forward to his future volunteer work.

"I wanted to try something different that would allow me to grow personally and professionally," Weber said. "I didn't want a nine-to-five job."

Weber added that he looks forward to the Ugandan scenery after hearing from many that "It's a beautiful place," and is ready for the experience.

"I thought I'd be nervous at first, but now I'm excited about the whole experience," Weber said.

UW graduate Ann Riordan, who volunteered in Mongolia, said her experience with Peace Corps altered her international views of the United States.

"The Peace Corps gave me an opportunity to show the rest of the world a different aspect of the U.S. aside from the military and foreign policy," Riordan said.

Riordan added that her volunteering was a valuable learning experience.

"I learned more about myself and also got to learn a lot about Mongolian culture," Riordan said. "I learned more from them then they learned from me."

Ken Coffeen, who traveled to Ecuador in the 1960s, said his experience with the Peace Corps influenced his later professional career.

"It made it possible for me to get acquainted faster in a foreign country than someone who had never been to a third-world country," Coffeen said.

Coffeen added it was interesting to see how people view the United States around the world.

"During the time you're there, you get to view the U.S. from an outside perspective," Coffeen said. "People seem to either love us or hate us."

UW graduate Lawrence Moore, who is leaving for Botswana April 15, said he looks forward to sharing the cultural experience he gains from the Peace Corps.

"I like experiencing other cultures, and I feel that once I do that, it's my job to bring it back," Lawrence said.