Sample Letter
This letter is used with permission from the author.    

January 12, 2009

The Honorable Therese Murray
Massachusetts Senate
State House
Boston, MA 02133

Dear Senator Murray,

My daughter, Christina Machaby, is a student at UMass Amherst/Commonwealth College.  She is a 2006 graduate of Bourne High School and attended her first two years of college at Mount Holyoke College.  Because of the exceptional academic opportunities at the University of Mass, she decided to transfer into the Commonwealth College program this year with a major in Kinesiology.  The prestige of being accepted into the Commonwealth College was a motivating factor in Christina’s decision to transfer to the University of Massachusetts. Besides being in this very study intense program, she is also a member of the UMass theatre guild and has choreographed two musical theatre productions.  The opportunities available to her at UMass are invaluable. 

I am proud to have my daughter be a member of this academic community because it is known to be an affordable option available to the state’s most academically motivated students.  Opportunities like the Commonwealth College will help to the keep our brightest young people living and working in Massachusetts.

I myself am a UMass Boston student, finishing my Bachelors degree through the online degree completion program. This is a wonderful opportunity for me as well to receive an excellent, affordable education.
I want to thank you and your colleagues for creating the Commonwealth College and I hope that you will continue to support this important program as well as all University of Massachusetts schools. They are a valuable resource for all Massachusetts residents.

                                                                                                Sincerely,
                                                                        Carol A. Gordon

                                                        

Thank you for your UMass Amherst Advocacy.