Jana Eaton

This year, Northwestern University ranks among the top 25 mid-sized colleges and universities with alumni currently serving in the Peace Corps. With 27 volunteers in the field, NU is 12th among colleges and universities with 5,001-15,000 undergraduates.

Joining NU on the list of mid-sized schools are Cornell, Boston College, Yale, the University of Vermont and the University of Virginia. (For the full list, see "Top Peace Corps Universities and Colleges (PDF)" on the Peace Corp's website.)

Many NU grads have served in the Peace Corps since it's inauguration in 1961. Among them is Dr. Jana Eaton, NU alum, Peace Corps volunteer, teacher and winner of the 2000 Global Educator Award.

When Jana won the Global Educator Award, she told the National Peace Corps Association:

“My interest in cultures goes back to my early childhood in Wyoming where I interacted with whites and Native Americans and came from a family of the same mixed heritage. My interest in other cultures continued at Northwestern University, where I headed the International Club and studied global issues and area studies. As a senior, I traveled to East and Southeast Asia as a USO-Department of Defense Professional Entertainer during the Vietnam war, became fascinated with the cultures of the area, and, as a result, became thoroughly committed to global education. Participation in study-travel programs sponsored by Fulbright, the State Department-American Councils for International Education, the Keizai Koho Center, the Korea Society and the Freeman Society have been tremendously motivating and educational and have kept me thoroughly ‘re-energized.’”

As an elementary education teacher, Jana shared her passion for multicultural understanding with hundred of students. Jana is currently retired from education but now has a second career as a watercolor artist in Arizona. More about Jana along with photos of her international travels can be found on her website.