Joseph Hardin attended the U of I between 1965 and 1970. He was active in the counterculture and alternative scenes on campus and helped found the Walrus underground newspaper. Hardin was also active in the Students for Free Speech, and he attended the national Democratic Convention in 1968. Hardin describes his work with Earthworks Garage and the offshoot of underground newspapers that appeared after the founding of the Walrus.
Karl Huff earned his Bachelor's degree in Music Education in 1972 from the Department of Fine and Applied Arts. In this interview, he recalls his role in the 1968 Union Demonstration: voicing support of black students' concerns while acknowledging that he himself had adequate housing. Huff was active on campus in the Black Student Association, Dorm Councils, and the Student Advisory Council to the Dean.
Laouida Glover was born in Batesville, Mississippi. She was attracted to the University of Illinois through a Project 500 Newspaper flyer promising free tuition for college. Her mother, Thelma Thomas Glover Childress, was active in the Civil Rights Movement. She talks about the influences her upbringing and experiences at the University of Illinois had on her journey to becoming a lawyer.
Leroy McCray is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. And even though he had a full-ride Track and Field Scholarship offer from Temple, he didn't want to go to college so close to his high school. His "Welcome to Champaign" included an unfriendly roommate, racial harassment, and a militant police response to a mostly peaceful demonstration at the Illini Union. Leroy's fondest memories at the University of Illinois involved becoming a family with his fellow Project 500 and Black Student Association members.
Voice Over Artist Malcolm Rockhold came to U of I in the fall of 1969. He talks about his rough transition to campus culture, but credits Jeffrey Roberts and other Project 500 sophomores for helping him find his way. His interview provides insight on the importance of community and mentoring for black college freshmen at Predominantly White Institutions (PWI) in the historical and social context of a post - Martin Luther King Jr. assassination northern United States.
Michael Metz attended the U of I from 1965 to 1970. He came from a family with very traditional values, but he eventually became active in the Free Speech Movement and protests of the Vietnam War. He feels that his liberal arts education and conversations he had with friends helped him understand the injustices of the world. Metz also mentions that the people protesting were initially a small but powerful minority, but over time, the majority of students likely believed in their cause.
As a high school senior in Danville, Patricia McKinney-Lewis hadn't originally planned on seeking attendance at the University of Illinois. Participating in American Legion Conferences held annually at Gregory Hall, however, caused her to develop a high opinion of Illinois early on. She viewed it as a highly prestigious institution; maybe too prestigious for her. Project 500 Recruiters convinced her otherwise, and 3 degrees later, she gives back to her Danville community by inspiring students to pursue higher education, investing in scholarships, and reaching back to help the children in any way she can. Patricia's interview includes some unique insights from her participant role in the September 10, 1968 Union Demonstration.
Paul Schroeder attended the U of I from 1964 to 1968. He was a student member of the board of the Illini Publishing Company and served in the student government. His main focus in activism was educational reform, specifically coming out of student government. He created a program called Freshman Seminar to cultivate student leaders by having students visit with professors in their homes and offices. Schroeder hoped to create a more personable setting than a classroom.
