At 2:00am on October 14, 1960 on the steps of the Michigan Union, then-Senator John F. Kennedy first announced his idea for the Peace Corps to an energized and political-minded crowd of Michigan students. Since then, over 200,000 Americans have selflessly given of their time to foster international understanding and promote development in 139 countries. Over 2,100 UM graduates have continued this tradition by putting their education and experience to work in over 44 countries.
To commemorate JFK’s historic speech and the Peace Corps’ vast accomplishments o ver the past 50 years, the Michigan Student Assembly, Big Ticket Productions, and New Beat Happening of the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor have organized a benefit concert featuring Lupe Fiasco with special guest RJD2. The concert will take place on Friday, April 1st, 2011 in Hill Auditorium, and will serve as a festive “wrap-up” to all of the Semicentennial celebratory events that have taken place throughout the year. The musical entertainment will be the focal point with respect to student attraction and entertainment, and our theme — the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps — will play a vitally important role in engaging, educating, and mobilizing students. All proceeds from the concert will go to the Peace Corps Sierra Leone Country Fund and will focus on the development of secondary education.