The Puri School of Business
At the PURI School of Business, our scope of study expands beyond our traditional majors: Accounting, Business Administration, Marketing, and Financial Economics. Students and faculty work together to examine the trends of business and organizations; recently we launched 4 new majors: Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, Healthcare Administration, and Supply Chain Management. We also examine the ethical, political, and social issues arising from the workings of our business world.
Our students live and work in globally integrated environments. We help students develop an understanding of the varied business fields, as well as the society in which they live, so that they can become effective participants within the business realm. Creating sustainable, successful careers centered on civic engagement is the ultimate goal of earning a degree from the Puri School of Business at Rockford University.
Our courses are centered on collaborative learning, case studies, community-based learning, and internships. Our faculty are not only recognized academic scholars, but they also bring with them corporate experience. These are opportunities for students to make course lessons their own, to match theory with practice. This blend of theory and practical application allows PURI School of Business students to obtain the tools that are imperative for long-term career success within the business realm.
About the Puri School of Business
On October 3, 2014, Rockford University formally established the Puri School of Business, thereby recognizing and celebrating the ongoing contributions of Mr. Sunil Puri ’82/’13H, co-founder and President of First Midwest Group.
The Puri School commemorates Mr. Puri’s lifetime commitment to Rockford University. It is the first named school at the University and is home to undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs in economics, business and accounting.
Mr. Puri was born in Bombay, India, and immigrated to the United States in 1979 to attend Rockford College®, graduating in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. From the minute he stepped on campus as an undergrad, a fire sparked inside him that still burns bright. As a dedicated Trustee and tireless advocate for Rockford University, he has proudly promoted and protected the interests of our University; for that we are most grateful.
The School is housed in a 28,000-square-foot building donated by Mr. Puri and is located just to the east of the main campus entrance. The building serves as the hub for all related School programs and is under the umbrella of the University’s College of Social Sciences, Commerce and Education.
Mr. Puri sees this as an effort that goes deeper than the act of a donation, saying, “It is important to my family and me, that the School offers not only an exemplary space for the campus and community to interact and innovate, but also where significant programming and curricular advances can benefit both the University and its ability to partner in the economic revival of this region,” adding, “The liberal arts education I received at Rockford significantly contributed to my success and supporting the Puri School of Business is my way of paying it forward.”
Mission & Vision Statements
2020-2021 Mission:
The mission of the Puri School of Business is to prepare students for successful professional careers by blending a strong interdisciplinary foundation with a cutting edge undergraduate and graduate business education. We achieve our mission in an environment characterized by personal attention and experiential learning using innovative teaching techniques, civic engagement, and the latest technology. Our students develop into business and professional leaders of the highest moral character.
Vision statement:
We develop successful students who embrace challenges, develop new ideas, and who understand, envision, and shape the world.
Careers and Internships
As economics or business majors, students have a wide variety of career opportunities. Students in business often choose to concentrate in one of the functional areas of finance, marketing or management. Economics majors may concentrate in the areas of public policy or international economics as they prepare for graduate school or entry into the work force. Careers in administration, banking, law, government, sales, public administration and with international agencies are among student options.
Accounting majors have a wide variety of career choices, including public accounting with national, regional or local accounting firms, corporate accounting and government accounting. Beginning January 1, 2001, the State of Illinois adopted the 150-hour requirement to take the CPA exam. This requirement is consistent with about 80 percent of the states. Students who complete their 150-hour requirement at Rockford University, with seven additional hours may attain both a B.S. and MBA. Rockford University accounting students have done exceptionally well when taking the CPA exam.
Scholarships and Awards
Charles E. Box Honorary Scholarship
The Charles E. Box Honorary Scholarships provides an opportunity for Black students to pursue a degree in business through the Puri School of Business at Rockford University by enrolling in the following degree completion programs: Bachelor of Science in Management Studies (BSMS) or Bachelor of Science in Accounting Studies (BSAS). Interested students should have earned a minimum of 60 college credit hours. Learn more.
Maxine Burritt Knight and Carlton W. Knight Endowed Scholarship
Maxine Burritt Knight and Carlton W. Knight Endowed Scholarship was established in 2005 through an estate gift of Carlton and Maxine Knight, and provides funds to entering female students who graduated in the top 25 percent of their class from a Rockford public high school. They must demonstrate financial need and have a proven record of significant participation in community service, while having taken part in studying three of the following six disciplines: biology, history, economics, French, Latin, writing, and public service. Preference will be given to those who intend to become a school teacher.
Shirley Jones-Bailey Endowed Scholarship
Shirley Jones-Bailey Endowed Scholarship was established in 2000 by LaVerne Krueger, Class of 1944, in honor of her student, Shirley Jones-Bailey, and offers financial support to students interested in the fields of fine arts, business, and education. Recipients must have a GPA of at least 2.50 (on a 4.0 scale) and a sophomore standing.
For more information on scholarships relevant to this department, please visit the Academic Catalog.
Puri School of Business
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
815-226-4000Luis Romero
Chair of Puri School of Business
LRomero@rockford.edu
815-226-4046
Office of Admission
Johnson Center
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
Phone: 815-226-4050
Fax: 815-226-2822
Email: Admissions@rockford.eduHours
Mon-Fri: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Sat: 9:00am - 1:00pm
Please call to reserve an appointment on Saturdays.
Undergraduate Majors
Undergraduate Minors
Master of Business Administration
Rockford University’s MBA consists of core coursework that helps you develop critical management skills and a deeper understanding of the business field. To complete your degree, select courses from a list of popular business electives or customize your MBA by choosing electives from four in-demand concentrations: Finance, Healthcare Administration, Project Management, and Organizational Leadership.
Learn more at rockford.edu/admission/graduate/mba/.
Our Graduates
“What really sets PURI apart is its diverse, international community of students and faculty. This gave me the chance to build a global network that has been invaluable in my career. The professors were approachable and truly invested in our success, always pushing us to excel.”
“Deciding to attend Rockford University was the best decision of my life! Not only was I able to get a great education, but I was also able to be a part of a campus community that treated me like family and helped develop me into the man I am today. For that, I’m proud to call myself a Regent for life!”
“Having a chance to learn from corporate leaders while learning with future corporate leaders was more than I could ask for. The smaller class sizes and class schedules gave me a very personalized experience and room for a flexible schedule.”
Accreditation
The Puri School of Business at Rockford University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road, Overland Park, Kansas. For a list of accredited programs please view our IACBE member status page.
International Accreditation Council for Business Education
11960 Quivira Road
Suite 300
Overland Park, KS 66213
Tel: 913-631-3009
E-mail: iacbe@iacbe.org
www.iacbe.org
- Public Disclosure of Student Achievement 23-24
- Public Disclosure of Student Achievement 22-23
- IACBE Public Disclosure of Student Achievement 20-21
- Public Disclosure of Student Achievement PSoB 2019-2020
- Public Disclosure of Student Achievement 2018-19
- Public Disclosure of Student Achievement 2017-18
