The United States Mission to South Africa is one of the proud sponsors of the University of the Free State's (UFS) International Institute for Studies in Race, Reconciliation and Social Justice. The University, rocked by a notorious racial incident four years ago, has since dedicated itself to positively altering race relations on campus. Led by Fulbright alumnus, Vice Chancellor Jonathan Jansen, the Institute and the UFS campus have become models for transformation in post-Apartheid South Africa.

The U.S. Mission to South Africa has been assisting the university since September 2010 by helping recruit and fund a number of U.S. Fulbright scholars and specialists who collaborated with UFS faculty in the Institute's initial formation. Additionally, Consulate General Johannesburg staff has since helped prepare and support the more than 170 students who have traveled to the U.S. to learn about campus diversity and tolerance in an American context.

This month, the University is hosting over 160 international visitors at its Global Leadership Summit, as part of the program, and staff members from the Consulate General in Johannesburg were there for the opening ceremony. Consul General Earl Miller accepted an Extraordinary Service award from Professor Jansen, one of the true heroes of South Africa.