Weekly Update

Welcome! We’re here to serve you

 A message from Robert L. Head, Ph.D., President

Welcome to our 2009 – 2010 academic year. If you are like me, you are wondering who pressed the fast forward button on summer! Nevertheless, we are excited about new beginnings and the opportunities available for the year ahead.

To our new and returning students: the faculty and staff of Rockford College have anticipated your arrival and have prepared rigorously for it. We are, together, members of a learning community that was founded 162 years ago. During that time, the college has gained a reputation for academic excellence with many distinctions. One of the great joys of my first year as president was the opportunity to meet generations of our graduates. The success of the Rockford College experience is best measured by the significant accomplishments of our graduates within their lives, professions and service to others. I look forward to having each of you add to this legacy.

Moving from student to graduate will not always be easy, but I know you are up to the challenge. The challenges you might encounter are all a part of the essential journey that you are on. Last week, I shared with our faculty and staff a quote from Randy Pausch, who authored The Last Lecture. Dr. Pausch describes being rejected on his initial efforts to be admitted into graduate school. After reflecting on the rejection, Pausch stated, “the brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.”

Please remember that within a community of learners, you are never alone. I wish for you much success and remind you that if you need guidance and advice, please reach out to those who are dedicated to helping navigate the brick walls.

Let’s make this a year of growth, fun and success. Have a great week!

• Seattle’s Best – a new coffee brand offered in the Lion’s Den.
• Stack’s Deli – a new sandwich bar with a Subway-type arrangement.
• Simply-to-Go – provides an assortment of items that are pre-made and ready to take out. 
• Grill 155 – a variety of grill items
   

In addition to the new offerings, there are other changes all will appreciate. Hours in the Lion’s Den will be expanded, operating from 8:30 a.m. --   10 p.m. The facility will also be open Saturday and Sunday for four hours. The Burpee dining room will feature food stations specializing in such things as stir fry, omelets, and a gourmet pizza station. Vegetarian options are available at all stations.

Rockford Rescue Mission

Tinker Swiss Cottage

Midway Village

Discovery Center

Aldeen Park

Burpee Museum

YWCA

Zion Development

Each week, we give you a glimpse of President Head’s schedule. Here’s what’s on tap for this week.

8/16      New Student Ice Cream Social at Dr. and Mrs. Head’s Home

8/17      Meeting with Superintendent of District 205, Dr. LaVonne Sheffield

8/21      President’s Opening Convocation in Maddox Theatre

8/22      Student Community Plunge activities

Stickers will then be sent to applicants through campus mail. If you would prefer to pick up a sticker in person, they will be available at SAS and the S&S office in the Marland Physical Plant starting this Wednesday.

Christine Knodle & Andy Kim (Violin/Keyboard) at Julius Meinl Coffeehouse | Julius Meinl Coffeehouse | Jazz | Chicago Reader

You can purchase these pianos at a fraction of retail value before they are offered for sale to the general public. Call Joel Ross at Randee’s Music, 815-985-6413 to arrange for a private appointment, September 11-12. Or, attend a public sale September 12-13 at Randee’s in the Colonial Village Mall, N. Alpine and Newburg. 

Representatives from Jiangsu Polytechnic University in China visited Rockford College last week to discuss possible collaborations. President Head, Gary Lubbert, BSMS, and others were on hand to greet our distinguished visitors.  

• A story on Channel 23 on a new law restricting the activities of credit card companies on college campuses included an RC student offering his views. 
• The effectiveness of protests like the kind occurring at health care town meetings was the focus of a story on Channel 23 with John McNamara (VP, College Development) offering his views. 
• Kyle Pucko, athletic recruiter, was featured in the “Get to Know Me” column last week in the Rockford Register Star. 
• Rockford College is one of two sites being considered for a “Dream Team” basketball complex, according to a story in the Register Star yesterday. A meeting is slated for August 25 to review a feasibility report commissioned by several governmental bodies.
• Bob Reaven, copy center, was featured in the Register Star on the occasion of the unveiling of a mural downtown that he coordinated.  
• Jesus Parreno, a student in the college’s English Language Institute, was featured last week in Espejo, a local Spanish language newspaper.         
   

The Weekly will provide links to stories when they are posted on the Web.