Homecoming Weekend is Sept. 25 – 27!
Homecoming 2025 is almost upon us!
Homecoming is the perfect time to reunite and relive your college days. Join us this September for all kinds of festivities. We cannot wait to see you and celebrate Under the Stars. The weekend is sure to be full of memories, laughter, and pride in the place we’ll always call home: Rockford University!
Registration has now closed. If you have any questions or need anything, please call the Alumni Office at 815-226-3370.
- Homecoming Schedule
- Thursday Classes Available for Visits
- Friday Classes Available for Visits
- Alumni Baseball and Softball Games
- Alumni Men's Basketball Game
- Transportation
- Hotel Information
- Class Giving
- Unable to attend?
- Contact Us
- FAQ's
Homecoming Schedule
*Please note the schedule is subject to change. Please continue to check back for updates and further information!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
9:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.| CLASSES OPEN.
Full schedule at check-in.
Join current RU students for class with a variety of options available.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.| “BEHIND-THE-SCENES” TOUR OF MADDOX THEATRE.
Clark Arts Center
Meet in the Maddox Theatre lobby.
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.| SPANISH COFFEE HOUR.
Hispanic and Cultural Lounge, Scarborough Hall 205
With Dr. Yoandy Cabrera Ortega, Chair of the Department of Languages, Philosophy, Religion, and Cultures & Assistant Professor of Spanish and Classics.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
8:30 a.m. | CHECK-IN & HOSPITALITY CENTER OPEN.
Lobby of Burpee Center
Get your check-in packet, gift bag, and complimentary snacks and beverages.
Signage with alternative registration locations outside of this time slot will be available on-site.
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | CLASSES OPEN.
Full schedule at check-in.
Join current RU students for class with a variety of options available.
12:00 p.m. | GOLDEN GRADS LUNCHEON.
Regents Hall
Join us to celebrate current and past Golden Grads with President Dr. Patricia Lynott. Current and previous Golden Grads (those of classes 1975 and older) join us for free. All other alumni and guests are $20. Registration required.
2:00 p.m. | OFFICE OF GLOBAL AFFAIRS OPEN HOUSE.
Office of Global Affairs, Second Floor of Burpee
RU alumni will have a chance to see the world through the eyes of RU international students.
3:30 p.m. | STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY WITH PRESIDENT LYNOTT AND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING.
Maddox Theatre
University President Dr. Lynott gives a State of the University address, along with the brief Annual Meeting of the Alumni Association.
5:00 p.m. | COCKTAIL HOUR.
Regents Hall
Mingle with alumni and guests at this cocktail hour with cash/card bar. Registration required.
6:00 p.m. | ALL-ALUMNI AWARDS DINNER.
Regents Hall
Join Alumni and Friends at our annual Awards dinner. Celebrate the accomplishments of RU Alumni while visiting with friends old and new. Registration required. $40.
8:00 p.m. | CLASS OF 1975 “TAPE DANCE.”
Regents Hall
*Start time is flexible. Following the Alumni Award Dinner, join the class of 1975 for a “Tape Dance” in Burpee featuring dance hits from the 70s! Event is free to attend with a cash/card bar.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
9:00 a.m. | ALUMNI SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL GAMES.
New Baseball and Softball Fields
Join Rockford University Athletics on the brand new fields for alumni games! The first pitch will be thrown at 9:00 a.m. Prior registration required. Register Here.
9:00 a.m. | ALUMNI MEN’S BASKETBALL GAMES.
Seaver Center
Join Rockford University Athletics for an alumni Men’s Basketball game ! The game will start at 9:00 a.m. Prior registration required. Register Here.
10:00 a.m. | MEMORIAL SERVICE.
Fisher Chapel
Come and remember those alumni who are no longer with us. A complimentary coffee and tea service will be available beginning at 9:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m. | HOMECOMING TAILGATE.
Parking Lot A
Join the party! Multiple departments and clubs from across campus will hosts tents full of food, fun, and games at this massive tailgate party to celebrate the Homecoming Football Game. (See Our Tailgating Policy)
1:00 p.m. | HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME.
Sam Greeley Field
Cheer on the Regents as they play against Lakeland University. $5 entry fee.
Saturday Evenings | CLASS REUNIONS!
Is your class celebrating a special year? Or just loves to hang out together? The Office of Advancement & Alumni would love to help you connect with your classmates to get together for dinner or drinks in Rockford to reconnect and remember. Email alumni@rockford.edu if you’d like to help organize something for your class.
OPEN ALL WEEKEND:
Disc Golf Course | Enjoy the 19-hole disc golf course throughout the weekend! Course map available at Check-In.
Campus Spirit Shop | Stock up on all your Rockford University (and some Rockford College!) gear at Reggie’s Corner, located on the first floor of the Burpee Student Center.
Self-Guided Walking Tour | Tour books for a self-guided walking tour of campus are available at Check-In.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025
Relive your student days by visiting a class!
9:30-10:45 a.m. | Introduction to Writing and Rhetoric
Scarborough Hall, Room 220
Taught by Dr. Kyle Stedman
English Department
11:00-12:15 p.m. | Mythology in Video Games
Scarborough Hall, Room 204
Taught by Dr. Yoandy Cabrera Ortega
Languages, Philosophy, Religion, and Cultures Department
11:00-12:15 p.m. | Sociology of Gender
Scarborough Hall, Room 008
Taught by Professor Nicole Frame
Political Science, Sociology, and Criminal Justice Department
12:30-1:45 p.m. | Comparative Politics
Scarborough Hall, Room 008
Taught by Dr. Ronald Lee
Political Science, Sociology, and Criminal Justice Department
12:30-1:45 p.m. | Psychological Disorders
Starr Science Center, Room 235
Taught by Professor Shannon Wachter
Psychology Department
1:00-1:50 p.m. | Introduction to Information Literacy
Scarborough Hall, Room 235
Taught by Professor Trix Welch
Howard Colman Library, The HUB for Academic & Research Success Department
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2025
Relive your student days by visiting a class!
9:00- 9:50 a.m. | Ethics, Law & Business
Puri School of Business, 308
Taught by Professor Tom Lefaivre
Puri School of Business Department
9:00- 9:50 a.m. | Psychology of Gender
Starr Science Center, 235
Taught by Professor Lisa Mehlig
Psychology Department
10:00-10:50 a.m. | Sport Marketing & Promotion
Scarborough Hall, Room 208
Taught by Dr. Jason Hunter
Kinesiology Department
11:00-11:50 a.m. | Death & Dictatorship Mod Latin American
Seaver Physical Education Center, Room 221
Taught by Dr. Alexis Baldacci
Historical and International Studies Department
11:00- 11:50 a.m. | Survey I: Beowulf to Chaucer
Scarborough Hall, 280
Taught by Dr. Jennifer Rea
English Department
1:00- 1:50 p.m. | Acting II
Clark Arts Center, 015
Taught by Professor Deborah Mogford
Performing Arts Department
1:00- 1:50 p.m. | Introductory Chemistry
Starr Science Center, 130
Taught by Dr. Deborah Breiter
Chemical & Biological Sciences Department
1:00- 1:50 p.m. | The Art of Storytelling
Scarborough Hall, 204
Taught by Dr. Jennifer Rea
English Department
2:00- 2:50 p.m. | Creativity & Innovation
Puri School of Business, 019
Taught by Professor Tina Cantrell
Puri School of Business Department
Attention, Alumni!
Rockford University Athletics is hosting alumni softball and baseball games on the new fields. All skill levels are welcome.
The first pitch will be throw at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 27.
Prior Registration is required. To ensure your spot, Register Here.
Attention, Alumni!
Rockford University Athletics is hosting an alumni Men’s Basketball game in Seaver. All skill levels are welcome.
The gamewill start at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 27.
Prior Registration is required. To ensure your spot, Register Here.
Bus Service to and from O’Hare
Van Galder/Coach USA offers round-trip service from O’Hare International Airport in Chicago to Rockford. The bus makes one stop in the Rockford area. The bus will drop off and pick up passengers at the Van Galder Shuttle Center. You can purchase tickets HERE. Tickets can also be purchased at the Center from 5:30 am to 8:30 pm or from the bus driver. To learn more about the bus schedule and for the lowest price available, please visit their website.
Uber/Lyft
There are a number of Uber/Lyft options available in the Rockford Area. For more information, please download the apps or visit the Uber or Lyft websites.
If you need any assistance, please feel free to contact the Alumni office at 815-226-3370
Rockford University has set up hotel blocks at local hotels that are nearby to campus. You must call the hotels directly to make your reservations. If you have any questions relating to the rooms, please reach out to the hotel directly. Please use “Rockford University 50th Reunion” or “Rockford University Reunion / Homecoming” to secure a room in the block. We can’t wait to see you at Homecoming!
Hotels Available for Blocks:
- Hampton Inn, 615 Clark Dr, Rockford, IL 61107
Phone: 815-229-0404
Rooms Available:- 1 King bed: $119.00 / night
- 2 Queens: $129.00 / night
- Must reserve by August 31, 2025 in order to be a part of the block
- Cancellation Policy: up to 48 hours before check-in
*You can also use this link to make your reservation: Available Rooms – Hampton Inn Rockford
- Holiday Inn, 7550 East State Street, Rockford, IL, 61108
Phone: 815-398-2200- 1 King Bed: $102.00 / night
- 2 Queen Beds: $102.00 / night
- Must reserve by noon on August 26, 2025 in order to be a part of the block
- Check-in begins at 3:00 p.m. – no early arrivals
- Check-out at 12:00 p.m. – no late check outs
- Cancellation Policy: up to 48 hours before check-in by 6:00 p.m.
- Fairfield Inn, 7651 Walton Street, Rockford, IL, 61108
Phone: 815-398-7400- 1 King Bed: $129.00 / night
- 2 Queen Beds: $129.00 / night
- Must reserve by August 25, 2025 in order to be a part of the block
- Check-in begins at 3:00 p.m.
- Check out at 11:00 a.m.
- Cancellation policy: Up to 24 hours before check-in
- Candlewood Suites, 7555 Walton Street, Rockford, IL 61108
Phone: 815-229-9300- 1 Queen bed: $129.00
- Pet friendly
- Must reserve by August 25, 2025 in order to be a part of the block
- Check-in begins at 3:00 p.m.
- Check out at 12:00 p.m.
- 1 Queen bed: $129.00
- The Radisson, 200 S Bell School Road, Rockford, IL 61108
Phone: (815) 226-2100- Double: $139.00 / night
- Single: $139.00 / night
- Must reserve by August 25, 2025 in order to be a part of the block
- Check-in begins at 3:00 p.m.
- Check out at 12:00 p.m.
CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR CLASS GIFT
*Simply select Reunion Class Gift under “Designation”. You will then be prompted to add your class year. Thank you for supporting your Reunion Class Gift!
Giving in honor of your upcoming homecoming is a meaningful way to support your alma mater. Your experience at Rockford University was shaped by alumni before you and you now have the opportunity to do the same for current and future students.
Gifts of any size matter and can be made as a one-time gift or multi-year pledge. We appreciate your commitment to Rockford University and our students! Thank you.
Rockford University’s Alumni and Advancement Office is happy to assist you with setting up an event either virtually or in-person. Please check out the ‘Contact Us’ tab to reach out to the Office. We would love to connect you with your classmates!
Have a question? Need directions? Contact us!
How can I get involved with my class reunion?
Please e-mail us at alumni@rockford.edu if you are interested in volunteering to help with your class reunion. We look forward to working with class volunteers to make Reunion an even more special weekend!
Who can I contact with additional questions?
Please email alumni@rockford.edu or visit the Contact Us tab for more information.
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Days Until Homecoming 2025
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Want to make Reunion 2025 extra special for your class? Volunteer to be a Class Ambassador!
Our milestone class years will be the years ending in 5 and 0. Help us make your class’s Reunion next fall even more meaningful. Volunteer as a class ambassador today!
Need some new merch? Check out Reggie’s Corner and RU Athletics Gear online!
Join us at the All-Alumni Awards Dinner to celebrate!
Talcott Cross – Elizabeth “Beth” Donovan ’20H
Karl C. Williams – Michael Schablaske ’87
Outstanding Young Alumni – Ciara Stahly ’17
Award of Distinction – Joshua Patterson ’17
Award of Distinction – Kelli Ritschel Boehle ’97
Browse our Online Yearbooks
When’s the last time you went through your yearbook? Take a look today!
Office of Advancement & Alumni
Nelson Hall, 2nd Floor
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
Toll Free: 877-273-4368
Direct: 815-226-3370Hours:
Mon-Fri - 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
