Home > About > Rockford College ROCKS
We’d like to share our stories because we’re changing our world. Be sure to check back often for updates on how Rockford College ROCKS!
R: Renowned Faculty.
- Dr. Jules Gleicher, Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Political Science department
In just the past year, Dr. Gleicher has been busy changing his world. He wrote Political Themes in the Hebrew Scriptures (Palgrave Macmillan). The book was just released in March of 2010. In addition, he has written articles entitled "Reflections on Life, Death, and the Constitution," and "Did the Seventeenth Amendment Repeal Federalism?” "Reflections” is a review of George Anastaplo, and will appear in The American Journal of Legal History, v. 50, no. 3 in July 2010. "Federalism” will appear in The Political Science Reviewer this summer. Gleicher has also presented at national conferences.
Dr. Gleicher has remained an active member of the Rockford College community. His accomplishments only prove to enhance students’ classroom experience. His devotion to teaching and building students’ critical thinking skills is as strong as ever.
Get a complete description, reviews or purchase Dr. Gleicher’s latest book!
- Dr. Patricia Walters, Professor and Coordinator of Religious Studies
In just the past year, Dr. Walters has been busy changing her world.
Publications: The Assumed Authorial Unity of Luke and Acts: A Reassessment of the Evidence (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009)
"The Synoptic Problem" in The Blackwell Companion to the New Testament, edited by David E. Aune (West Sussex, U.K.: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010)
Forthcoming publications:
From Judaism to Christianity: Tradition and Transition: A Festschrift in Honor of Thomas H. Tobin, S.J., on the Occasion of His Sixty-fifth Birthday , Novum Testamentum Supplements (Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill Publishers, 2010)
Review of Acts of the Apostles, by Richard I. Pervo, Religious Studies Review (2010)
Forthcoming presentation:
"Irreconcilable Distances: A Challenge to the Assumed Authorial Unity of Luke and Acts" This will be presented at the Society of Biblical Literature 2010 meeting in Atlanta, Ga., November 20, 2010.
Thanks Dr. Walters for your continued service!
Learn a little more about recent faculty works and have a great week: http://www.rrstar.com/businessrockford/onthemove/x693094510/Rockford-College-professors-present-publish-works
- Dr. Matthew Flamm (philosophy) was named to the Rockford Chamber of Commerce's 40 under 40.
This honor is given based upon contributions to the workplace as well as community involvement. Congratulations Dr. Flamm!
- Lynn Stafford; Sharing her experience and talents for the benefit of all students, Lynn Stafford, associate professor of education and director of the special education program, has been approved as a committee member for the Learning Behavior Specialist review committee. The committee is supporting Evaluation Systems Group of Pearson, publishers of textbooks and educational resources. Read more about Professor Stafford and our other exceptional education faculty at www.rockford.edu/?EducFaculty.
O: Opportunity.
- Opportunity abounds at Rockford College. Whether you are working one-on-one with faculty on research, developing grants for the community, organizing a food drive, or achieving your lifelong educational goals, opportunity to change your world awaits at Rockford College.
- The following students are working one-on-one with faculty members this summer on research projects:
Kimberly Greyson-Bost (Professor Belinda Wholeben) – Researching and studing Gardner’s eighth intelligence, naturalistic intelligence.
Anthony Capriotti (Professor Filiz Dik) – Researching and reporting on "Traditional versus Reform Mathematics Education.”
Joshua Cheeseman (Professor Mehmet Dik) – Researching and reporting on "The Future of Math Education: The bleak prognosis and solutions to it.”
Audrey Fry (Professor Mehmet Dik) – Researching "Mathematics and Music: The need for music education to coincide with math education.”
Heather Goodrich (Professor Mehmet Dik) – Researching "Traditional calculus vs. reform calculus.”
Amber Joyes (Professor Filiz Dik) – Working on a research project on the topic of "living computers” combining her knowledge of mathematics, biology and chemistry to understand silicon and bacteria capabilities of solving problems.
- Opportunity abounds at Rockford College. Each year, students are able to listen and enjoy various speakers, events and performances through our Forum Series program. It isn’t about getting credit for attending a couple of events a semester; you have the opportunity to learn more about a variety of topics, open your minds and understand different perspectives. Take advantage of these events (whether you are required to or not!) and broaden your horizons…seize the opportunity to change your world. Learn more about the Forum Series at www.rockford.edu/?ForumSeries.
- As a student in the sciences, opportunity is available to work with Marsili Consulting – a leader in determining odor and off-flavors in food and beverages – right here on campus! Several students have taken advantage of this opportunity in the past, and one student co-authored a research paper on the findings. Learn more about Marsili Consulting Group http://www.marsiliconsulting.com
- Students, faculty, staff and alumni all have the opportunity to change their world! The 16th annual Alan Hutchcroft Alternative Spring Break (AHASB) program takes place in March of 2011. Those that have attended throughout the years have shared that the experience not only made a difference for those receiving a new home, it enriched their lives as well. Coming together and changing the world – AHASB is just one of the opportunities available at RC to do just that. Learn more about AHASB at www.rockford.edu/?AHASB
- A benefit for Toys for Tots organized by RC Alum Jeremy Toledo, performing arts students were given the opportunity to perform with local band the Frontiers in a night of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Two students acted as narrators throughout to a packed theatre. It was an excellent show and our performing arts students sang beautifully.
C: Committed to student success.
- Rockford College is often described as a small, close-knit family, where faculty, staff, and fellow students care about your success. Our Office of Student Success and Retention is also readily available to provide you with the tools and resources to change your world – in and out of the classroom.
- Orientation is an important part of the Rockford College experience. It is great way for students to meet one another, connect with campus resources, and settle in! It is an excellent way for current students, faculty and staff to welcome our new students as well. Learn more about Orientation at www.rockford.edu/?Orientation.
- The Office of Student Success and Retention is working hard each day making sure students feel comfortable in their classes and connected to campus. One of the excellent programs offered is RC Mentor Connections for first-year and new transfer students. This program allows students the chance to meet regularly with a small group of RC students and a faculty member to support one another, understand what campus resources are available, and make great new friends! Learn more at www.rockford.edu/?StudentSuccess.
- The Writing Center is ready to help you with that next paper or writing project! Peer writing tutors can assist in essay organization, topic brainstorming, sentence structure, grammar and more! The Writing Center is located in the Colman Library, first floor. Schedule your appointment by calling 815.226.4043 or emailing writingcenter@rockford.edu. Or, visit the Virtual Writing Center on the portal (think.rockford.edu).
- Career assessments, internship opportunities, mock interviews, resume workshops and more – the Career Services office is ready to help you meet your career goals. For undecided students, Career Services offers the FOCUS-2 program – a tool that matches your interests with possible career opportunities. Learn more about the variety of resources the Career Services office has to offer at www.rockford.edu/?CareerServices.
- Selecting courses for the first time can be confusing. That’s why the First-Year Advising Program pairs each student entering with fewer than 30 credit hours with a first-year advisor, a specially-trained faculty or academic staff member. Each advisor helps students formulate educational goals prior to starting classes at Rockford College and supports them in attaining those goals during that first year. Once a major is declared, a faculty member in your program serves as the advisor to continue to assist students in reaching their goals! Learn more at www.rockford.edu/?FirstYearExperience.
- Spring Orientation is an excellent way for our new students to acclimate to campus, and for our campus community to welcome them. Spring orientation is January 14 this year. Spring and fall orientation is another way the Office of Student Success and Retention encourages student success.
K: Knowledge.
- With over 80 majors, minors and programs to choose from, a Return-to-College program in Management Studies, two graduate programs in Business and Teaching, and several community education programs, we are bound to have a program just for you.
- Several new programs have been added to our esteemed list of majors, minors and concentrations. Graphic Design is a new concentration in the Art/Art History program, Performing Arts is offering a new track in the BFA with Acting/Directing, the Education program is now offering both an undergraduate and graduate program in Early Childhood, and the MBA now has two additional tracks in project management and entrepreneurship.
- Every day, students are learning from our top notch faculty in the classroom. Learning happens outside of the classroom too! The clubs and organizations involvement fair happening on Wednesday is an excellent way to connect with other students that share some of the same interests as you. Whether you are thinking of an academic, professional, or just plain FUN club – check it out and get involved! The leadership skills you learn through clubs and orgs will serve you well in the future.
- In response to demand, the Performing Arts Department has recently added a Design/Tech track to the BFA in Theatre Arts for those interested in scenic, lighting, or costume design and/or technical theatre. See a full list of Rockford College programs at www.rockford.edu/?Programsofstudy.
- Looking to pursue advanced-level business courses, but not necessarily interested in receiving your MBA? RC has a program for you! The Graduate Certificate program offers a 5-course business series for professionals designed to strengthen business skills. Should you decide to continue on to your MBA, you can, and your credits will apply to your MBA. Learn more at www.rockford.edu/?MBAGradCert
- In response to demand, our Philosophy department has added a new minor in Ethics. This is a wonderful new addition that can be applied to a variety of majors.
S: Successful Alumni.Our alumni have gone on to do great things! Here are profiles of two of our successful business alumni. Please be sure to check back as more profiles will be included.
- Ruth Meissen ‘98
Ruth Meissen was the Illinois Teacher of the Year in 2008 and Sally Williams won a Golden Apple Award in 2006. Rockford College consistently prepares excellent teachers that make a difference in the community. In fact, in the last 10 years, 16 Rockford College alumni have received the Golden Apple Award. Hear more from Ruth and Sally about their RC education:
"I am profoundly grateful for the quality of education I received while attending Rockford College. My professors took the time to know who I was as a person in order to guide my evolution as a quality educator. Through their instruction, they modeled the very example of dedication and excellence that I would need to become in order to be an empowered, confident teacher in the classroom. Without a doubt, Rockford College lived up to its legacy.” —Ruth Meissen ’98
- Sally B. Williams ‘77/’95
"The professors were inspirational to me and became friends as well as advisors. The program energized my teaching, but also enhanced my self-esteem and made me more confident to pursue challenges. I would recommend Rockford College as it was convenient, relevant and it helped me grow in so many ways and become a mentor to others.
—Sally Williams ’77/’95
- Cesar Kenaan (biochemistry, ’06) writes from graduate school at the Univ. of Michigan, "It’s been a very busy and productive academic year! I had successful public and private candidacy exams in January and May respectively, and recently co-authored a manuscript on protein conformational dynamics to be published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. I was also the recipient of a Sigma Xi Grant in Aid of Research award in March 2009. This past summer, I had the opportunity to mentor a talented undergraduate chemistry student and, as a result of the positive experience, I’m seriously considering academia as a future career.”
- Josh Ryan (biochemistry, ’08) is a product applications specialist at Cole-Parmer in Vernon Hills, Ill. He does technical support for their products, which range from peristaltic pumps to pH meters to GC-Mass Spec instruments. He’s the unofficial "go-to guy” for chemical questions; he works directly with the sales divisions in New Zealand and the UAE.
- Karen Dixon, Ph.D. (biology, chemistry, ’95) was assistant director for program development at the Civitan International Research Center (CIRC) at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, but she’s decided to make a lifestyle change and now teaches and makes glass art full-time, at Dixon Glass Gallery and Studio in Birmingham, Ala. She remains an integral part of Parents of Infants and Children with Kernicterus (PICK), a preventable type of brain damage caused by severe newborn jaundice. She earned her Ph.D. in molecular genetics at UAB and conducted postdoctoral research on bilirubin toxicity in the brain.
- Mark Zelman, Ph.D. (biology, ’85) is associate professor of biology and chair of natural sciences and mathematics at Aurora University in Aurora, Ill. Mark earned his Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology at Loyola University Chicago. He teaches microbiology, cell biology and senior capstone, and supervises student research. In his "spare time” he wrote an introductory pathophysiology text,"Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach,” the 7th edition of which came out in January 2009.
- Amanda Becker, from our History program, has gone on to teach U.S. and world history. In just her second year of teaching, Becker was a Golden Apple Award nominee. About Rockford College, she said, "I could visit or e-mail any of my professors with questions any time and they were available. They encouraged me to dive deeper into my studies as well.”
- Mark Samuelson, A graduate of our MBA program and a successful professional in the community, is a program manager with Thermo Fisher Scientific. Mark says this about his experience at RC:
"The MBA program at Rockford College offers class sizes that encourage dynamic discussions between both student and professor and student-to-student. As other professionals from around the area are enrolled in the program, you experience both academic advancement and a deeper understanding of people and businesses within the Rockford area. One of the best assets is the connections you make – both in and out of the classroom. Frequently throughout the program, graduate students are asked to lend their skills in assisting local non-profit organizations. My interactions with these community members helped in the development of my personal leadership style and communication continued post-graduation.”
- Genevieve Matlby-Bonavia pursued her dream and is now teaching special education in the Rockford area. Rockford College has helped many achieve their dream job. After graduating from the MAT program,
- Recent alumna Kimberly Greyson was asked to provide a guest blog on the well-known Psychology blog site, Psychcentral.com. Congratulations Kimberly! Read her blog submissions at:
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