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Peace Corps 50th anniversary photos

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
A crowd gathers on the steps of the Michigan Union to screen the documentary “A Passing of the Torch” about the Peace Corps formation. Photo by Scott Galvin, U-M Photo Services.
Students and visiting Ghanaian musical specialists perform on fontomfrom drums, traditional Ghanaian instruments used to mark special events, on the steps of the Michigan Union. Photo by Martin Vloet, U-M Photo Services.
Former U.S. Sen. Harris Wofford (right), who taught the first Peace Corps class at U-M, talks with Steven Weinberg, a U-M student and founder of Will Work for Food, at the 2 a.m. Oct. 14 event at the Michigan Union. Photo by Scott Galvin, U-M Photo Services.
Alan Guskin was a U-M student activist in 1960 who was moved to advocate for the creation of the Peace Corps after hearing Kennedy speak on the steps of the Michigan Union. Photo by Scott Galvin, U-M Photo Services.
University regents, administrators, faculty, staff, students and alumni gather the morning of Oct. 14 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps. Photo by Martin Vloet, U-M Photo Services.
despite cold, rainy weather, a large crowd gathers at 2 a.m. Oct. 14 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s speech on the steps of the Michigan Union that inspired creation of the Peace Corps. Photo by Scott Galvin, U-M Photo Services.
President Mary Sue Coleman and Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams announce a memorandum of understanding welcoming U-M to the Peace Corps’ Master’s International program. Photo by Martin Vloet, U-M Photo Services.
U-M International Center Director John Greisberger speaks during a dedication ceremony for a historical marker noting John F. Kennedy’s Oct. 14, 1960, speech that inspired creation of the Peace Corps. The marker is located in front of U-M Museum of Art. Photo by Martin Vloet, U-M Photo Services.
Elder Sang-Yong Nam (left), a U-M alumnus, and president and CEO of Nam Building Management Co. in Ann Arbor, greets attendees of a reception for Returned Peace Corps volunteers in the Michigan Union Opera Lounge and Anderson Rooms. Nam received a Distinguished Alumni Service Award at the event. Photo by Martin Vloet, U-M Photo Services.
Harris Wofford, former U.S. senator, aide to President Kennedy and first associate director of the Peace Corps, delivers opening remarks for the Peace Corps National Symposium. Photo by Martin Vloet, U-M Photo Services.
Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams delivers the lecture “Inspiring the Next Generation of Volunteers” in the Kuenzel Room of the Michigan Union. Photo by Eric Bronson, U-M Photo Services.
Activist and novelist Paul Theroux, in a talk at Hatcher Graduate Library, speaks on how the Peace Corps changed his life. Scott Galvin, U-M Photo Services.
Tom Hayden, a social and political activist, author and politician, lectures on “The Importance of Community Organizing, from the Peace Corps to Barack Obama.” Eric Bronson, U-M Photo Services.