[464] MTSU's Gore Center Seeks Donations For Veterans History Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10, 2010
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Lisa L. Rollins, 615-898-2919, or lrollins@mtsu.edu

MTSU’S GORE CENTER SEEKS DONATIONS FOR VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT
Center Director Says Much-needed Funds Will Aid in Preserving Veterans’ History

(MURFREESBORO)— The Albert Gore Research Center, as part of its public service mission to the citizens of Tennessee and beyond, serves as an official partner in the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.
However, as taxpayer support has declined for MTSU over the past several years, it is no longer possible for the center to expend its limited-operating resources on this public service project. In turn, the center’s staff must call on the generosity of donors to contribute to this project.
The last of the greatest generation: The Gore Center currently has about 50 veterans of World War II and Korea on its list of those willing to be interviewed. As we know, veterans of these conflicts are in their 80s and 90s, and thousands die across the U.S. each day.
Dr. James Williams, director of the center, said, “It is urgent that we have funds in hand to record these stories in 2010 before it is too late. We ask that the community please help us.”
With a contribution of just $50, donors can adopt a veteran, or adopt two veterans for $100, three for $150, et cetera.
“For each $50 contribution, the Gore Center can fund one interview with a World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War or Iraq/Afghanistan veteran, or a civilian who supported the war effort by working in war industries or volunteering for the USO, Red Cross or other support organizations,” he added.

Those who donated will help fund the following:
• Tapes and other supplies to record interviews.
• Permanent archiving of the tapes, photos, and memorabilia from each interview.
• Transcription of the interview.
• Posting of interview recordings, photos, and transcripts on a newly designed oral history website coming soon to http://gorecenter.mtsu.edu.

To adopt a veteran, please make a tax-deductible donation of $50 or more in one of two ways:
• Mail checks made payable to the MTSU Foundation and mail to Director, Albert Gore Research Center, MTSU Box 193, 1301 E. Main St., Murfreesboro TN 37132. (Please note on the check "Veterans History Project.")
• Donate online via the secure MTSU Foundation website at https://ssb.mtsu.edu/pls/PROD/twbkwbis.P_GenMenu?name=bmenu.P_AluNonSecureMnu. (Please note along with donor information that the contribution is for the Gore Center's “Veterans History Project.“)

For more information, please visit http://gorecenter.mtsu.edu/adoptvet.htm. To learn more about the Veterans History Project, please access http://www.loc.gov/vets

—30—

With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.