Media Room

The Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Tolerance Program has named University of the Rockies as a ‘Mix It Up’ Model School for its exemplary efforts to foster respect and understanding among students and throughout its campus during the 2012-2013 school year. This is the second time the University has been recognized with this honor.

University of the Rockies is one of 63 schools from across the country to receive this honor.

“We are delighted to recognize each of these schools,” said Teaching Tolerance Director Maureen Costello. “Mix It Up Model Schools have found innovative ways to create a school environment where respect and inclusiveness are core values. They serve as examples for other schools hoping to instill these values in their students, faculty and staff.”

For more than a decade, Mix It Up Day has provided students across the country with an opportunity to move out of their comfort zones and to connect with someone new over lunch. University of the Rockies held “musical lunches” to facilitate meeting new people. In a fashion similar to the game of “musical chairs,” participants ate lunch and engaged in focused discussions. The University also wrote letters of encouragement to school-aged children to remind them about the value of education.

“These events are incredibly important to our University,” said Dr. Amy Kahn, vice provost for University of the Rockies. “They offer a platform for learning and giving. Our faculty, staff and students work together, get to know one another, and help the community. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

The 2013 National Mix It Up at Lunch Day will be held on Oct. 29.

About University of the Rockies

University of the Rockies is an advanced graduate institution for tomorrow’s thought leaders. The University provides an intimate and dynamic learning environment, offering highly specialized master’s and doctoral degree programs in the social and behavioral sciences, access to industry experts, campus clinical programs for practical experience, and research and publishing opportunities. University of the Rockies is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association (www.ncahlc.org). Small by design, University of the Rockies classes are presented in a progressive online format and at its Colorado Springs, Colorado, campus. For more information, please visit www.rockies.edu or call Shari Winet Rodriguez, vice president of Public Relations, at 866.621.0124 x2513.