Now in its 14th year, the show attracts artists from the Midwest and beyond, exhibiting 2-D and 3-D works in ceramics, digital art, drawing, fiber/wearables, furniture, glass, jewelry, mixed media, photography, printmaking, painting in oils, watercolor, acrylics, raku and sculpture in metal and wood. Local artist and arts promoter, Barbara Berney, has directed Art on the Lawn since its inception in 2000.

For more information, call 815.226.4032.

Lynn Stafford, associate professor of education, received the award for the full-time professor. Her students note her enduring commitment to teaching explaining, "She is very understanding and I feel comfortable coming to her for professional advice.”

Stafford says, "I feel the greatest accomplishment has been to develop the curriculum full circle so that students meet the criteria of Illinois State Board Standards and obtain licensure. On the last content test our students received 100% passage scores and I am so proud of their accomplishments.”

The adjunct award went to Raymond James, associate professor of education, visiting lecturer, and first year advisor. A nomination from one of his students reports, "Mr. James makes a conscious effort to get to know his students on a personal level, taking the time to talk with them before and after class.” James states that he plans on teaching for a long time and will continue with public presentations concerning North American land surveying in the 18th and 19th century in various venues when the opportunity presents itself.

Nominations for the awards come from throughout the college and winners are chosen by an ad hoc selection committee. The criteria for both awards are knowledge of his/her discipline, respect for students, creative course development, advising, and campus leadership.

Addressing the graduates at this year’s commencement ceremonies will be Bill Kurtis, an acclaimed documentary host and producer, network and major market news anchor, multimedia production company president, and grass-fed cattle rancher.

Mr. Kurtis served as co-host of national programs, CBS Reports and later CBS Morning News, as well as delivering the news in major media markets like Chicago. Retiring after 30 years with CBS, Kurtis established his own production company, Kurtis Productions, and has gone one to create several notable programs including A&E’s Investigative Reports, Cold Case Files and the History Channel’s Investigating History. He also serves as host on the popular American Justice series and authored two books: Bill Kurtis on Assignment and The Death Penalty on Trial: Crisis in American Justice. Many will also recognize Mr. Kurtis's distinctive voice as the narrator in the comedy hit, "The Legend of Ron Burgundy.”

Mr. Kurtis is the recipient of numerous humanitarian, journalism, and broadcasting awards including Emmys, CableACE Awards, and the Thurgood Marshall Award for his Investigative Reports installment on the death penalty. He is a published author and a member of the board of directors of several distinguished organizations including The Nature Conservancy, The National Park Foundation, The Field Museum of Chicago, and the Abraham Lincoln Museum and Library in Springfield, Illinois.

Tickets are required for attendance. Due to space constraints, tickets are limited to degree candidates and their guests. Tickets will not be available at the door of the Coronado Performing Arts Center.

Rockford, Ill., – Rockford College awards approximately $2 million in scholarship funds to students from the Rockford area each year. The College’s tops more than $8 million annually in scholarships and institutional aid for all of its students. The College is committed to increasing accessibility and affordability for all students who wish to pursue a college degree. Funding is still available for the coming 2013-2014 academic year and there is still time to enroll for fall courses at Rockford College.

Anyone interested in learning more about scholarship opportunities is encouraged to contact the Rockford College Admission Office at 815-226-4050 or 800-892-2984 for more information about applying for undergraduate classes. You may also apply online for free at www.rockford.edu. To apply for scholarships, students only need to complete the College’s application and submit official transcripts.

Fall classes begin Wednesday, August 21. Rockford College announced that it will become Rockford University effective July 1, 2013, and is Rockford’s only four-year, co-educational residential institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The College offers approximately 80 areas of study and provides diverse programming for students in all levels of education including undergraduate (bachelor’s degree), graduate (master’s level), adult accelerated degree completion (BSMS), and transfer students. Rockford College is also a participant in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program for veterans.
Visit www.rockford.edu for more information about Rockford College.

Wednesday, May 8
10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Rockford College
5100 East State Street, Rm. 122
Rockford

Can there be profit in a community without a vibrant nonprofit sector? Are there too many organizations? Is there overlap in services? Do human services providers ultimately help or hinder individuals in need? What does data begin to tell us about the social and economic impact of the nonprofit sector? These are critical questions for the organizations tasked with addressing increasing needs of citizens in Winnebago County and are not without political opinion and controversy.

A media and nonprofit leader forum will be hosted by Rockford College’s Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence to report on preliminary findings specific to the human services segment of the nonprofit sector in Rockford. Rockford College Associate Professor of Economics, Business and Accounting Ina Freeman, Ph.D., will summarize the results of an MBA project specific to the value of the human services sector in Rockford - "Devaluation of the Human Service Sector Housing and Basic Needs Focus.” Preliminary findings of research conducted at Carpenter’s Place and focusing on what draws the homeless population to Rockford and the impact the agency has on reducing homelessness will also be presented by Carpenter’s Place CEO Kay Larrick.

Robert Egger, the featured national guest speaker at a luncheon and program that follows the media forum will be in attendance to add insight to his experiences of innovation and collaboration with large metropolitan nonprofits. Also joining the forum are leaders from Rockford’s Human Services Collaborative and representing area agencies like the Mildred Berry Center, Crusader Community Health, RAMP, The Boys and Girls Club of Rockford, and Lifescape Community Services.

Robert Egger is author of "Begging for Change – The dollars and sense of making nonprofits responsive, efficient and rewarding for all” and founder of D.C. Central Kitchen and current president of the L.A. Kitchen.

As a point of reference, according to the Donors Forum of Chicago statewide research, nonprofits in Winnebago County make up nearly 10 percent of the workforce; more than the transportation, construction and real estate industries combined.

Contact Pam Clark-Reidenbach for more inforamtion, 815-226-4384.

Rockford, Ill. – Rockford College will host a Senior Thesis Exhibition May 3 – 19 at the Rockford College Art Gallery located in the Clark Arts Center at 5050 East State Street, Rockford. This exhibition features works of art by graduating Rockford College fine art majors. Students include Joanne Gustafson, Jonathan Kuss, Daniel Scheub, and Cindy Vondran. Each student’s work represents a culmination of research and study to develop an individual voice and direction in the visual arts.

There will be a special reception for the premiere of this artwork on May 3 from 6 – 8 p.m. in the art gallery. A cash bar and light hors d’oeuvres will be provided. This exhibit is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday from 3 – 6 p.m. and by appointment.

Please contact the Art Gallery Curator, Molly Carter, at 815.226.4105 or mcarter@rockford.edu for more information.

This event features Robert Egger, nationally recognized speaker and author of Begging for Change: The dollars and sense of making nonprofits responsive, efficient and rewarding for all, Mr. Egger is the founder and former President of the D.C. Central Kitchen in Washington, D.C., and founder and current President of L.A. Kitchen in Los Angeles, Calif. He travels extensively, promoting nonprofit innovation to everyone from Fortune 500 companies and business schools, to college campuses, culinary institutes and nonprofit organizations. D.C. Kitchen was named one of President George H.W Bush’s Thousand Points of Light and has been featured on Oprah, Nightline, and 48 Hours as well as in the Washington Post, Financial Times and Wall Street Journal.

Mr. Egger encourages service providers to be more innovative and results-driven, for corporate and nonprofit leaders to be more focused and responsible, and for citizens who contribute to be more demanding of their return on investment. He recommends that communities work together to look for solutions to break the cycle of poverty rather than opportunities to blame.

Egger’s book, Begging for Change: The Dollars and Sense of Making Nonprofits Responsive, Efficient and Rewarding For All, was released in 2004 by HarperCollins. It received the 2005 McAdam Book Award for "Best Nonprofit Management Book” by the Alliance for Nonprofit Management.

The cost is $50 per person or $350 for a table of eight. An exclusive dialogue time from 1:30 – 3 p.m. is also available for $50. Contact Karen Ream at (815)394-4384 or kream@rockford.edu for more information and for reservations.

Rockford, Ill. – The Rockford College Performing Arts Department and Artists’ Ensemble Theater collaborate on their first co-production in the musical classic "Meet Me in St. Louis.” The show opens Thursday April 25 and runs through April 28, 2013 in Rockford College’s Maddox Theatre, located in the Clark Arts Center, 5050 East State Street, Rockford.

Cast members feature both Rockford College performing arts students and Artist’ Ensemble members with the show being directed by Richard Raether of Artists’ Ensemble, costume design by Performing Arts Professor Jeff Hendry, scenic and lighting design by Assistant Professor of Performing Arts Angelo O’Dierno, and musical direction by Associate Professor of Performing Arts Timm Adams.

Join the Smith family at the 1904 World’s Fair, and see how their love and respect for each other is tempered with the genuine humor that can only be generated by such a special family. Memorable musical numbers include "The Boy Next Door,” A Raving Beauty,” "The Trolley Song,” "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” "Whenever I’m with you” and "A Day in New York.”

The musical premieres on Thursday, April 25 at 7:30, shows again on Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 4 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25.00 – adult, $20.00 Senior, $15.00 for Thursday performance and Rockford College alumni, $7.00 for students. For tickets and more information, call the Box Office at 815.226.4100 or email boxoffice@rockford.edu.

Rockford, Ill., – For those individuals who are still undecided about their college plans for the Fall 2013 semester, enrollment is still open at Rockford College (soon to be Rockford University). Throughout the month of April, prospective students can stop in the Office of Admission with their official transcripts, and our Admission Counselors can admit* them on the spot - the first step in the enrollment process. Scholarships are still available and will be awarded to eligible students. For more details, please refer to the information below.

Rockford, Ill., – Hosted by two Rockford College professors and featuring guest speakers from six universities, the Sports Studies Symposium brings together a panel of scholars to discuss philosophical themes or issues arising in the study of sport and to discuss themes or issues arising in the study of the rhetoric of sport. The symposium is free and open to the public and takes place on Friday, April 19 in Grace Roper Lounge, located on the first floor of the Blanch Walker Burpee Center, Rockford College, 5050 East State Street, Rockford. This is the second sports symposium organized by Assistant Professor of Philosophy Shawn E. Klein, Ph.D., and Assistant Professor of English Michael Perry, Ph.D., and hosted at Rockford College.

The first panel, held from 1 to 2:45pm focuses on Fandom. Panelists include Chad Carlson, Ph.D., (Eastern Illinois University) What is fan-based sport about anyway?; John Harney, Ph.D., (DePaul University) Japanese Baseball Culture at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century: Imperial Game or Adopted Pastime; and Trish Phillips, Ph.D., (Mississippi State University) Fandom and Sport: Encouraging Hate.

The second panel, held from 3 to 4:45 will focus on fantasy and play. Panelists include Aaron Harper, Ph.D. (West Liberty University): Playing with Nietzsche: Play, Nihilism, and Value Creation; Andrew Koehl, Ph.D. (Roberts Wesleyan College) Fantasy Sport and Aristotelian Flourishing; and Carl Robinson, Ph.D. (Ashford University) Chasing The American Dream: A Chubby Fan(atic) Recalls His Favorite Professional Wrestlers.

Fans play a central role at all levels and within various aspects of sport, so any study of sport would do well to consider their influences in connection to fandom, fantasy, and play. A specific and growing area of fandom, fantasy sports, illustrates a concrete and complex way fans relate to and even affect sport. This year’s symposium seeks to explore and examine these aspects of the relationship between fan and sport.

Dr. Klein notes, "Offering this kind of conference helps increase interest and awareness about philosophy and ethics that are an important part of sports studies. Not only are these fun and interesting classes to teach, it gives our student-athletes a unique perspective on sport and allows us to delve into the increasing ethical issues arising within sport.”

Questions about the Sports Studies Symposium may be directed to Dr. Shawn Klein, sklein@rockford.edu or Dr. Michael Perry, mperry@rockford.edu.More information can also be found on http://www.SportsEthicist.com.

Rockford, Ill. – The Rockford College Art Gallery will hold a reception for The Exquisite Menagerie, an exhibition featuring the work of contemporary artists Michael Noland, Betsy Youngquist and Lauren Levato. The reception for the artists will be held on Friday, April 5 from 6 – 8 p.m. on the Rockford College campus in the Clark Arts Center, Art Gallery located at 5050 East State Street, Rockford. The exhibition will run from March 29 through April 26.

Michael Noland's paintings (image at left) are based on traditional American scenes that are molded to his unique vision. Noland creates vitality though exaggeration in form, repetition of line and saturation of color. Common views and unique animals seem both darkly surreal and amusing.

Betsy Youngquist’s mixed media beadwork reflects a fascination with the intersection of humans, animals, and mythology. Stemming from a life-long love of all creatures great and small, Betsy’s work weaves together the human and animal spirit through a surrealistic lens.

Lauren Levato delves into wonder and memory in her recent drawings that explores how the body itself becomes a Wunderkammer, a cabinet of curiosities.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. The gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 3 – 6 p.m. and by appointment. Please contact the Rockford College Art Gallery Curator for more information at 815.226.4105 or mcarter@rockford.edu.

Rockford, Ill. – Approximately 100 students from high schools in the Stateline area will visit Rockford College to attend Entrepreneurship Day, on Thursday, April 11, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the college’s Burpee Center, 5050 East State Street, Rockford.

Entrepreneurship Day events will include teachers from the College’s Business Department who will speak about what it takes to be an entrepreneur, as well as subjects such as Market Analysis, Marketing, Ethics, Business Planning and Strategy.

There will also be a panel of local entrepreneurs who will take questions from the students. The main highlight of Entrepreneurship Day will be an assignment for the students to develop a business plan. The best business plans among the schools will receive prizes.

The lecture is co-sponsored with the Rockford College Sigma Xi chapter. Dr. Goodson will talk about light-gathering organic molecules that may be used in solar devices. He will also discuss recent research and conclusions utilizing these molecular systems and applications in optical and electronic devices.

Dr. Goodson is the Richard Barry Bernstein Collegiate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Michigan, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts and Professor of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, College of Engineering. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska as well as postdoctoral work at University of Chicago and Oxford University.

Sigma Xi, the international honor society of science and engineering, has identified Dr. Goodson as an outstanding scientist whose work is at the leading edge of science. As a member of the Distinguished Lecturer Program at Sigma Xi, Ted will have an opportunity to communicate his insights and excitement to a broad range of scholars and to the community at large. More than 200 winners of the Nobel Prize have been Sigma Xi members, including famous scientist Albert Einstein.

Rockford, Ill., – Rockford mayoral candidates Jim Hughes (D), Mayor Larry Morrissey (I) and Michael Kleen (R) will participate in a debate on Tuesday, April 2 at 7 p.m. in Regents Hall, Burpee Center, located on the Rockford College Campus, 5050 East State Street, Rockford. The debate is sponsored by Rockford College’s Jane Addams Center for Civic Engagement and is the last scheduled mayoral debate before the April 9 elections.

The debate will be 90 minutes with each of the three candidates having two minutes to answer each question. Pre-submitted questions will be chosen by the moderator in advance. If all pre-submitted questions have been asked within the 90 minutes and time remains, questions from the audience will be taken. Professor of Political Science Jules Gleicher, Ph.D., will moderate with representatives from the League of Women Voters serving as the official time keepers.

The public is welcome to submit questions for consideration to JACCE@rockford.edu.
Submissions must be received by March 28, 2013.

Contact: Scott Manning
212-614-7892 scott@scottmanningpr.com

POETRY— A WEAPON FOR HANOI POWS
On 40th Anniversary of Their Release, New Book Reveals Surprising Survival Tactic and Motivation for Life Long Service

TAPS ON THE WALLS: Poems from the Hanoi Hilton
by John Borling, Major General, USAF, Ret.

Foreword by Senator John McCain
"It is most fitting that on this 40th year anniversary of our release
from prison in Vietnam that you can know and appreciate John’s
remarkable work as we did during our darkest days in the Hanoi Hilton.”
--Senator John McCain

2013 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of American POWs held at the infamous Hoa Lo Prison, aka the Hanoi Hilton. During gruesome years of incarceration, they had to fight to maintain their honor and sanity. For many, poetry was a weapon.

Major General John Borling, USAF, Ret., (then Captain Borling) mentally composed poetry and communicated it to fellow prisoners via a special, but forbidden, tap code. Unable to write anything down, he committed thousands of words to memory. Upon his release, he recorded all his poems. They are now published in TAPS ON THE WALLS: Poems from the Hanoi Hilton (Master Wings Publishing, February 12, 2013, $19.95 hardcover) coinciding with the anniversary date of his release.

Given the intensely personal nature of his works, General (and Mrs.) Borling held these poems privately over the ensuing years, but were encouraged to share them when his current hometown of Rockford, Illinois mounted an exhibition (Service Over Self) based, in the main, on his 37-year military career. Now, thanks to Master Wings Publishing, the new imprint of the Pritzker Military Library in Chicago, the poems are available to a national and international audience.

"For the past decade, our mission focus has been to acquire and maintain an accessible collection of materials, and develop appropriate programs focusing on the Citizen Soldier in the preservation of democracy,” said Colonel (IL) J.N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired), Founder and Chair of the Pritzker Military Library. "Our hope is that this book will raise awareness between and about those who have sacrificed for freedom on the frontlines and who have returned home to live lives filled with honor and continued service.”
On June 1, 1966, Borling’s life changed forever. During his 97th fighter mission over the heart of North Viet Nam, he was shot down by ground fire. Seriously injured during ejection, he was captured trying to evade. Twenty-four hours later, he was dragged into the Hanoi Hilton. He would be a POW for more than six years and eight months. His wife, Myrna, would not know for years if he was alive.

"For many years, the POWs were held alone or in semi-isolation. The enemy wanted us weak, despondent, and totally cut off. Our challenge was to carry on, keep faith with the nation and each other. For that, we had to communicate.” Borling recalls.
So they tapped on the walls, using a special, but forbidden, prison tap code. Much to the dismay and anger of the North Vietnamese, they maintained a chain of command. They shared names to insure others knew they were alive, messages of hope (or despair), family, jokes, prayers, and more, including poetry. Borling composed and kept memorized original creations using poetry as a way to ‘fight back’ against the forces of cruelty and time.

Presented in TAPS ON THE WALLS: Poems from the Hanoi Hilton, Borling’s works are divided into four sections. The first expresses a passion for the sky and the great missing of the freedom that flying provides. The second section speaks to the dark, hard days, when an awful loneliness and punishment and pain were routine. The third section deals with "The Holidays” and the need to remember, and be grateful but offset by the enormity of prolonged and uncertain incarceration Finally, the fourth, SEA Story (South East Asia Story), is an epic poem that took many years to compose and, as Borling notes, "offers commentary on just about everything.”

The book includes a glossary of military, aviation and historical terms as well as a substantial introduction and other supplementary material that gives insight into the total work.

For years, the poems existed only in the hearts and minds of Borling and his fellow POWs---a legacy for his wife in case he "didn’t make it.” He did make it, and upon release on February 12, 1973, he went AWOL from the Clark Air Base (Philippines) hospital to buy a tape recorder and begin "downloading.” The Base Exchange manager came back with a small, shoebox-looking thing and he protested, "Not a radio, a tape recorder --- you know, with reels and stuff.” The manager laughed and gave a cassette recorder to the future-shocked ex POW.

About the Author
John Borling, Major General, USAF, Ret., is a native Chicagoan and Air Force Academy graduate. A fighter pilot, his many decorations include: The Silver Star, two Bronze Stars with V for Valor and two Purple Hearts. During his thirty-seven years in the Air Force, he served throughout the world in high-level command and staff positions. A White House Fellow, Life Member of The Commercial Club of Chicago and Trustee of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois, his post military activities include Chairman/CEO and Board Director level positions of multiple for profit and not for profit organizations. He and his wife Myrna live in Rockford, Illinois.

About the Pritzker Military Library
The Pritzker Military Library, located at104 S. Michigan Ave., is a non-partisan, non-profit research institution founded by Colonel (IL) J.N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired), in 2003. The Library features a collection of over 65,000 items including books, films, posters, photographs, medals, uniforms, and other artifacts covering the full scope of American military history. The Library has produced over 300 programs including lectures, interviews, and panel discussions on military topics. Programs are webcast live, available for audio podcast download, and broadcast on public television. To learn more, visit www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org.

Randi Belisomo is an accomplished multimedia journalist currently serving as a general assignment reporter at WGN-TV in Chicago and as a contributor to Chicago Public Radio, WBEZ 91.5 FM. She holds a master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Notre Dame. She is an Emmy Nominee and a 2012 Peter Lisagor Award winner for best in-depth series, "Journey to Haiti."

Belisomo will speak about her work as a journalist, how a liberal arts education enhances her career, and where she sees media and journalism going in the future.

The CNCS, which has administered the Honor Roll since 2006, admitted a total of 690 colleges and universities for their impact on issues from literacy and neighborhood revitalization to supporting at-risk youth. Combined, the Honor Roll awardees engaged 3.1 million students in community service for a total of 118 million service hours. That’s $2.5 billion in value to communities across the country.

Rockford College’s commitment to service goes back to the college’s very beginnings 166 years ago. The example was set by three trustees who in 1847, with the city yet unincorporated, mortgaged their homes so a female seminary could be created – establishing a legacy of lasting service to the Rockford region. That dedication to service continues today through campus organizations like the Jane Addams Center for Civic Engagement (JACEE), named after Rockford College alumnae and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Jane Addams. The Center works to inspire students to be aware, active and engaged citizens through peace and global citizenship, public life and social activism, and meeting the needs of its neighbors.

CNCS oversees the Honor Roll in collaboration with the U.S. Departments of Education and Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact, and the American Council on Education. Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors, including the scope and innovation of service projects, the extent to which service-learning is embedded in the curriculum, the school's commitment to long-term campus-community partnerships, and measurable community outcomes as a result of the service. For a full list of recipients and descriptions of their service, visit http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/initiatives/honorroll.asp.

Rockford, Ill., —Rockford College will host a lecture as a part of its Spring 2013 Forum Series on Tuesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. in Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center located on the Rockford College campus at 5050 East State Street, Rockford. The forum series is free and open to the public, however, tickets are required. Contact the box office at 815.226.4100 or boxoffice@rockford.edu for more information.

Robert Walker, president of the Population Institute will present, "The World at 7 Billion.” Walker directs the organization's advocacy and public education activities, including its work on issues related to health, economic development, sustainability and the environment.

Walker’s presentation will examine what projected population growth means for people, posterity, and the planet. He will discuss how rapid population growth in the least developed countries is frustrating efforts to eliminate hunger and abolish severe poverty. He will talk about the impact that climate change, water scarcity, and the rising costs of food and energy are likely to have on the UN’s Millennium Development Goals and future development prospects. He will also emphasize that the UN population projections, though widely accepted, are not written in stone, and that even small changes in fertility rates could dramatically affect future population projections.

Walker is also past President of Handgun Control, Inc. and the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence, and served as legislative director at Handgun Control. Mr. Walker received his B.A. in Economics from Rockford College and his J.D. from the University Of Illinois School Of Law. He attended the University of Sydney in Australia under a Rotary graduate fellowship.

Walker returns to Rockford as part of the College’s Alumni in Residence program, along with his wife Chris Apel Walker, class of 1974. Along with the Forum Series lecture on March 19, the Walker’s will be hosting a lecture of their recent book, Discovering Ravello, featuring paintings of the Italian city by Chris Apel Walker on Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m., at the Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main Street, Rockford. There is no cost to attend, seating is limited.

"Honoring Global Diversity" is the theme for this year's International Food Fair at Rockford College. The College's international students will prepare a wide variety of favorite native dishes for the College’s 8th annual International Food Fair, Saturday, April 6 from 6 to 8 p.m., Regents Hall, 2nd floor, Burpee Center on the Rockford College Campus located at 5050 East State Street, Rockford.

Sponsored by Rockford College’s Multicultural Club and the Office of International Students and Scholars, the food fair will feature authentic recipes from several different countries such as Serbia, Kyrgyzstan, Africa, Japan, Puerto Rico, Egypt and Italy. This year’s event is planned by more than 30 members of the Multicultural Club who each submit traditional ethnic recipes to be shared. Entertainment featuring different cultures is also planned to go along with the all-you-can-eat buffet.

Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door for adults. Children are $5 in advance, $7 at the door. Tickets will be available beginning March 11 and can be obtained by contacting the Rockford College Box Office at 815-226-4100 or boxoffice@rockford.edu or the International Students and Scholars office at 815-394-5112.

Rockford, Ill. - The College is pleased to continue its Half the Sky efforts by supporting the premier screening of 10X10's film , Girl Rising, on Thursday, March 7 at 7:30 pm, Showplace 16, 8301 East State Street, Rockford, Ill. The screening is also supported by the YWCA, Rockford Public Library, Womanspace, AAUW and the Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza.

Cost to attend is $10 and tickets can be reserved at: http://gathr.us/screening/877

There are a limited number of seats available for this premier screening. View the Girl Rising film trailer, which was premiered the 2013 Sundance Film Festival here: http://www.youtube.com/10x10act.

10x10 is a feature film and a social action campaign, created and launched by an award-winning team of former ABC News journalists using the power of storytelling and the leverage of strategic partnerships to deliver a single message: educating girls in developing nations will change the world.

The film tells the stories of 10 girls from 10 countries, selected in consultation with 10 acclaimed women writers, working closely with non-profit partners. Directed by Academy Award nominated documentary director Richard E. Robbins, Girl Rising includes voice performances from actresses Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Kerry Washington, and Selena Gomez and others.

Funds raised through donations to 10X10 and through screenings held across the country beginning on March 7, will support the 10×10 Fund for Girls’ Education. Donations to this fund will be distributed evenly among their non-profit partners who include CARE USA, World Vision, Partners in Health, Plan International USA, United Nations Foundation/Girl Up, Pratham USA, Room to Read, and A New Day Cambodia, all of whom operate girls’ education initiatives around the world.

Launched in 2010, Half the Sky at Rockford College engaged the entire campus community, along with community members led by Jim and Pam Keeling, to do their part in eliminating brutality inflicted on third world women while promoting education and financial empowerment to produce a more prosperous and peaceful world. The Half the Sky project, based on the New York Times best-selling book by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, culminated in WuDunn’s visit to the campus in the spring of 2011.

Rockford. Students, alumni, and the public are welcome to attend at no cost. The deadline for employers to register for a booth is Friday, March 15. Employers may register online by going to the Rockford College Calendar website page.

Participating employers included:

Kellers Williams Realty Signature

http://www.kw-signature.com 

Rockford Park District

http://www.rockfordparkdistrict.org

Stateline Staffing Services

http://statelinestaffingservices.com

Sikich http://www.sikich.com

The Workplace

http://www.workplacestaffing.com 

Waldom Electronics

https://www.waldom.com

Wesley Willows

http://www.wesleywillows.org 

WREX

http://www.wrex.com

Please continue to check this site for the most recent listing of participating employers.

The Euripides’s play follows the fates of the women of Troy after their city has been sacked, their husbands killed, and as their remaining families are about to be taken away as slaves. However, it begins with the gods Athena and Poseidon discussing ways to punish the Greek armies because they condoned Ajax the Lesser for dragging Cassandra away from Apollo’s temple. What follows shows how much the Trojan women have suffered as their grief is compounded when the Greeks dole out additional deaths and divide their share of women.

Adult tickets are $10, while seniors and students are $7. Group rates are also available. For tickets and more information, contact the Box Office at 815-226-4100.

Rockford, Ill., — Students, faculty and staff at Rockford College will participate in a "Read Aloud of Black American Voices” in celebration of Black American History Month on February 27 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The event will take place at the Howard Colman Library located on the Rockford College Campus at 5050 East State Street, Rockford, Ill. The public is invited to attend.

Sponsored by the Rockford College English department, the event will feature the work of George C. Wolfe, The Colored Museum, a play consisting of eleven vignettes. The play cleverly and, at times, comically tells the story of Black American History. Kicking off the event is Sheryl Head, wife of college president Robert L. Head. Altogether, some 35 readers are expected to participate.

Coffee and cookies will be served. For more information, contact Prof. Michael Perry at mperry@rockford.edu

The event is one of several at the college commemorating Back History Month. For a full listing of college events, see www.rockford.edu.

Rockford, Ill. –Robert L. Head, Ph.D., 17th President of Rockford College, has accepted the Rockford College Board of Trustees’ offer to extend his current contract for an additional two years. Dr. Head’s contract will now carry through the completion of academic year 2015-2016, ending June 30, 2016.

Charles Colman, Chair of the Rockford College Board of Trustees, said, "Under the leadership of Dr. Head, the College is enjoying its sixth year of a balanced budget, significant improvements to the campus, and despite some of the most economically difficult times for our nation, steady growth in enrollment. Robert and his wife Sheryl have also immersed themselves in a wide-variety of area organizations, devoting their time and talents for the betterment of the community. The Board looks forward to continuing the positive momentum established under Dr. Head’s administration.”

Since Dr. Head’s arrival in June of 2008, the College has embarked on an aggressive and comprehensive strategic plan that focuses on three main strategies to further distinguish the College; 1) through academic programs designed to expand the College’s academic reputation, 2) through its commitment to the whole student experience, and 3) through stewardship of its assets – both human and physical. Since 2008, the College has invested more than $7 million in capital improvements across all areas of the campus, including technology, classroom and building upgrades; several new or expanded degree offerings; resurfacing of all of its roadways; and endowment growth of more than $1.5 million. Rockford College also announced on October 2, 2012 that it will officially change to Rockford University effective July 1, 2013 to better reflect the diverse programming and current structure of the166 year-old institution.

Dr. Head adds, "It’s been very satisfying to work side by side with the College’s dedicated faculty, staff, students, alumni, Board, and friends. We have worked hard and as a result, experienced many successes with many more to come. I’m excited to have this opportunity to continue our work that will further secure the legacy of this remarkable institution for generations of learners to come.”

Contact: Anna Jattkowski-Hudson, Registrar (815)226-4062

Rockford, Ill., — Rockford College is pleased to announce the Dean’s and Distinguished Scholars for the Fall 2012 term.

Dean’s List recipients have achieved a GPA not less than 3.5, with no grade below ‘C’. Distinguished Scholars achieved a GPA not less than 3.75, with no grade below ‘C’.

Please note that this list does not include individuals with incomplete work. A formal designation will be made on the individual’s transcripts.

• Undergraduate Dean's List and Scholars List

• BSMS Dean's List and Scholars