HIGH POINT, N.C., March 16, 2011 ? Kendall Hagar, a freshman at High Point University and Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity partnered to present a campaign on campus to help eliminate the use of the ?R? word. The ?R Word?, retard or retarded, has evolved in common language to become a derogatory and hurtful insult to people with intellectual disabilities. The campaign, implemented nationally by Special Olympics, is called ?Spread the Word to End the Word,? and was held throughout the first week in March.Events that took place throughout the week include:? A screening of the acclaimed HBO documentary ?Monica and David,? the story of two adults with Down Syndrome who explore independence, face the challenges of living with a disability and share extraordinary love. ? Throughout the week, students had the opportunity to stop by tables in the University Center to sign a pledge to help stop the use of the ?R? word. T-shirts and promotional materials were also distributed by the Special Olympics.? In conjunction with the pledge signing, a raffle was held to raise money for the Special Olympics. Prizes included game tickets to the Charlotte Bobcats. ?I don?t think most people even realize how hurtful the ?R Word? is,? said Hagar, who served as the project coordinator. ?High Point University is an inclusive environment, and I want to help bring a better sensitivity about this cultural issue to our campus.?For more information about the campaign, visit www.r-word.org. For more information about the documentary, visit www.monicaanddavid.com and www.facebook.com/MonicaandDavid.At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people. HPU, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is a liberal arts institution with over 4,200 undergraduate and graduate students from 51 countries and 46 states at campuses in High Point and Winston-Salem. It is ranked by US News and World Report at No. 3 among Regional Colleges in the South. Forbes.com ranks HPU in the top 7 percent among ?America?s Best Colleges.? Parade Magazine lists HPU in the top 25 private schools in the nation. The university offers 50 undergraduate majors, 42 undergraduate minors and 14 graduate degree programs. It is accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and is a member of the NCAA, Division I and the Big South Conference. Visit High Point University on the Web at highpoint.edu.
# # # Pam Haynes
Communication Specialist
336-841-9055
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