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    From: Harry Matthews [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
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    Subject: MLK-USCT Common Ground Initiative 2002 - Complete Description


                                        MLK-USCT COMMON GROUND INITIATIVE
2002

    Mentoring Initiative for Select High Schools

    United States Colored Troops Institute

    Hartwick College

    Oneonta, New York 13820

    December 14, 2001

    Dear Colleagues:

    I am pleased to extend to you an invitation for your high school or
academic program to participate in Hartwick College’s MLK-USCT Common Ground
Initiative for 2002. Hartwick’s Initiative is one of three projects in New
York State which is officially recognized by the federal government’s
Corporation for National and Common Service to honor Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr. on his birthday with a day of service. The Initiative remembers Dr. King
through community service, mentoring, and heritage studies. Approximately 10
high schools and academic programs are being asked to each organize 30
students to interview participants of the modern Civil Rights Movement on
Monday, January 21, 2002. Upon completion, each high school/academic program
and student will be provided with a personalized certificate of
participation.

    The students can interview family members, neighbors, and/or any other
persons who were eyewitnesses to the events of the 1950s through the 1970s.
If preferred, a teacher may engage the same number of students in an
experiential project that introduces the students to the earlier Freedom
Journey resulting in the ending of slavery.

    Please find attached below a complete description of Hartwick College’s
MLK-USCT Common Ground Initiative. Also provided at the USCT Institute's web
site are 1) the Application Form; 2) Civil Rights Activist Questionnaire;
and 3) the Student Interviewer’s Reactions sheet. The application should be
completed and returned to me by January 15, 2002. The other two forms are to
be duplicated for usage by your students who conduct the interviewing of
Civil Rights participants. Once your project is over, please forward to me
copies of the completed forms. Certificates of participation will be
forwarded to you or the contact person listed on your application.

    You should feel free to contact me regarding this promising project. I
can be reached at 607-431-4428, or by e-mail at [log in to unmask] I
also invite you to view the registration forms at the web site of the USCT
Institute for Local History and Family Research at
http://www.hartwick.edu/usct/symposm.htm

    I look forward to receiving your positive response to this effort to
honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the millions who devoted
their lives to the Freedom Journey of African Americans.

    Sincerely

    Harry Bradshaw Matthews

    President and Senior Fellow

    USCT Institute

    [Associate Dean, Hartwick College]