Scholarships and Awards

Social Work Opportunity Grant

The Social Worker Opportunity Track (SWOT) grant offers eligible students the opportunity to
attend Rockford University tuition free for two years. Students who commit to working in
Winnebago County for three years following graduation will receive full tuition coverage as well
as $2,000 to use for wrap-around services like childcare, books, food, and housing.

Political Science

Edward W. and Virginia Mill Award

The Edward W. and Virginia Mill Scholarship was established in 1981 in memory of Dr. Edward Mill, who was Chairman of our Department from 1955 to 1959, and his wife Virginia. In addition to his professorship here, Dr. Mill taught at Long Island University and Occidental College and occupied a number of positions in the United States Foreign Service and the State Department.

The recipient, a junior or senior majoring in Political Science, or a Social Sciences Divisional major whose primary concentration is Political Science, must have completed 20 credit hours in Political Science (or, in the case of transfer students, at least 16 hours at Rockford University), and have an outstanding academic record, both in the major and overall.

Political Awareness Award

The Political Awareness Award was established in 2004 by Helena Milman, Class of 1997.
Helena and her close friend and classmate, Edward Dzialo, continue to provide support for
the award. Selected by the chair of the Department of Political Science, the award goes to a
student who has completed both junior and senior years at Rockford University and who has
demonstrated extraordinary interest in the theory and the practice of politics.

Sociology and Criminal Justice

Bonnie Lynne Keith Albracht Memorial Scholarship

Established in 1990 by Barbara S. and Robert B. Keith, in memory of their daughter who attended Rockford University during the summers in the early 1960’s. This scholarship is awarded to junior or senior students with financial need who are majoring in the helping professions.

Delman Prize in Sociology

The Delman Prize in Sociology was established to honor faculty emeriti. This award may be given to a student based on academic performance and grade point average criteria who has completed at least 30 credit hours in sociology.

Leslie H. Geddes – Rockford Downtown Rotary Club Scholarship

This scholarship, established in 1993 and based on annual renewal, is awarded to outstanding students pursuing a career in the field of criminal justice.

Stephen K. Alberts Memorial Scholarship in Criminal Justice

Established through individual and corporate gifts to the Rockford University Criminal Justice Advisory Board, this scholarship is awarded to part-time students who are majoring in sociology with a criminal justice emphasis or pursuing the master of business administration degree with emphasis in criminal justice. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit and current full-time employment in the law enforcement field.

The Shirl Shanhouse Morris Prize in Sociology

The Shirl Shanhouse Morris Prize in Sociology was established in 1991 and is funded by
Mrs. Morris’ children and husband, Raymond F. Morris, to honor this 1941 Rockford
College alumna. The prize is awarded to an outstanding student majoring or minoring in
sociology.