The Peace Corps is paying tribute to the Rev. Theodore Hesburgh for the role the University of Notre Dame president emeritus played in helping the organization get its start 50 years ago.

Hesburgh invited the first Peace Corps volunteers in 1961 to train on the campus in South Bend before traveling to assignments in Chile. He continued to mentor and advise the early volunteers throughout their service. Hesburgh served as president of Notre Dame for 35 years.

Peace Corps Deputy Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet is taking part in events on campus on Friday and Saturday. Notre Dame has placed on the Peace Corps' list of top universities producing volunteers nationwide for the past 11 years. More than 835 alumni have served the Peace Corps since 1961.