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National Peace Corps Association > News > Community News > Belize, Dominican Republic, Mali, Nepal
Belize, Dominican Republic, Mali, Nepal
By JoAnna Haugen on Friday, April 29th, 2011
BELIZE
Austin Peay State University creative writing professor Barry Kitterman will be releasing his book From the San Joaquin, a collection of short stories, beginning May 1. Published by Southern Methodist University Press, the book highlights stories and characters from the San Joaquin valley in California. Kitterman is also the author of The Baker’s Boy, which is based on his experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer and received the 2009 Maria Thomas Peace Corps Writers Award for Fiction.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
John Epler (65-67, 98-00) was honored by the Ballard High School Foundation for achieving preeminence in his respective field. He is one of ten alumni who were recognized this year. After serving in the Peace Corps, Epler served as a Peace Corps trainer, then took a job with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. After that position, he started his own consulting firm to assist cities and states to develop programs to end homelessness. Epler has served on the Governor’s Advisory Council on the Homeless and had a stint as the president of Ploughshares. He created the Community Challenge Fund and is currently a 2011 nominee for the national John F. Kennedy Service Award. Epler graduated from the University of Washington.
MALI
Dawn Myers-Purkey was named as this year’s Woman of the Year from the 8th Assembly District of California. She is currently the program director of Woodland Healthcare’s Yolo Adult Day Health Center. Prior to that position, she was a program manager at the Area 4 Agency on Aging. Myers-Purkey also serves on the board of the California Association of Adult Day Services, serves as an appointee to the California Department of Health and Human Services Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders Committee, is a 2005 graduate of the Sierra Health Foundation Health Leadership Program and is a longtime member of the Yolo County Adult and Aging Commission.
NEPAL
Trinh Pifer (92-94) was appointed executive director of the Chelsea Senior Citizens Activities Center. The former executive director of the Arbor Research Collaborative for Health in Ann Arbor and current owner of the Garden Mill in Chelsea, Pifer was chosen for her experience, education, leadership record and personal outreach skills. Prior positions include times at the University of Michigan’s Counseling and Psychological Services, Mental Health Research Institute in Ann Arbor and Courtyard Manor Assisted Living Facility. Pifer serves on several volunteer committees in the Chelsea area. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan.
