Dear Members of the Rockford University Community,

Due to the anticipated severe cold weather on Monday, March 16, 2026, Rockford University will be closed. All classes, including evening classes, will transition to virtual learning.

Academic Instruction

• Faculty are encouraged to communicate with their students in advance to ensure a smooth transition to remote instruction.
• Students should look for communication from their professors regarding virtual class expectations.

Employee Work Arrangements

• Staff Employees: Those who are able to work remotely are expected to do so and should coordinate with their supervisors as needed. Supervisors with concerns regarding remote work arrangements should contact Human Resources.
• Essential Employees: Public Safety, Fresh Ideas (Dining Services), and Team National (Maintenance and Facilities) are required to report to work as scheduled.

Campus Services

• Residence Halls: Remain open
• Dining Services: Remain open
• Public Safety: Available 24/7 at (815) 226-4060

Employees are encouraged to make any necessary preparations before leaving campus on Thursday.

Thank you for your cooperation. Please stay safe and warm.

While I never had the privilege of working directly with Sunil at Rockford University, he was always a presence on campus. Sunil believed deeply in the power of education to transform lives, and his vision and commitment played an important role in helping guide Rockford University through challenging times. We likely would not be here today without Sunil’s vision and support. His belief in us and in the potential of our students leaves a lasting impact, and our institution owes him a great deal.

Sunil’s life was a true American success story. Through hard work and determination, he built a legacy that touched countless people across our region, even those that might not have known him personally. 

We are profoundly grateful for Sunil’s friendship. His legacy will continue to inspire our university and our community for years to come.

-Dr. Patricia Lynott

Rockford University is pleased to announce a $7,500 contribution by Midland States Bank. The grant, provided by the Midland States Bank Foundation, will support Rockford University’s new Community CPR and First Aid Certification Program.

“Rockford University is thrilled to partner with Midland States Bank to offer free CPR certification classes to nonprofit employees in our community in the coming year,” said Katherine Trotter, Vice President for Advancement at Rockford University. “As we sought certification opportunities for our own staff, we recognized a broader need for accessible training across the region. With Midland States Bank’s generous support, we will be able to provide potentially life-saving education to those who serve our community every day.”

“Together with our Community Impact Investment Statement, the Midland States Bank Foundation is a powerful way for us to give back to our communities,” commented Jeffrey G. Ludwig, President and CEO of Midland States Bancorp, Inc. “The funds we set aside from the Bank’s profits help us put our company’s culture in action to benefit the communities we serve.”

The Midland States Bank Foundation supports the general welfare, education and health of the communities where the Bank operates. Since its creation in 2011, the Foundation has contributed more than $1,900,000 to non-profit organizations throughout Midland’s footprint.

Dear Members of the Rockford University Community,

Due to the anticipated severe cold weather on Friday, January 23, 2026, Rockford University will be closed. All classes, including evening classes, will transition to virtual learning.

Academic Instruction

• Faculty are encouraged to communicate with their students in advance to ensure a smooth transition to remote instruction.
• Students should look for communication from their professors regarding virtual class expectations.

Employee Work Arrangements

• Staff Employees: Those who are able to work remotely are expected to do so and should coordinate with their supervisors as needed. Supervisors with concerns regarding remote work arrangements should contact Human Resources.
• Essential Employees: Public Safety, Fresh Ideas (Dining Services), and Team National (Maintenance and Facilities) are required to report to work as scheduled.

Campus Services

• Residence Halls: Remain open
• Dining Services: Remain open
• Public Safety: Available 24/7 at (815) 226-4060

Employees are encouraged to make any necessary preparations before leaving campus on Thursday.

Thank you for your cooperation. Please stay safe and warm.

Rockford University is thrilled to announce that the Rockford University Performing Arts department has been awarded a grant in the amount of $1,807 from the Rockford Area Arts Council.

The grant will be used to host a free and open to the public workshop with world-renowned artist David Prete.

On Sunday, February 1, Prete will bring his Plastiques workshop to the Rockford community, offering attendees the opportunity to explore movement, expression, and embodied creativity.

From Prete’s website: “Prete founded The Plastiques Project, where he offers workshops based on the physical work of Jerzy Grotowski called plastiques, which is used to help actors create a relationship to their impulsive bodies and voices.”

The workshop will take place on Sunday February 1, in the Clark Arts Center dance studio from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. with a break in between. Those interested in attending can email performingarts@rockford.edu to RSVP.

Rockford University is one of 237 institutions that have been awarded the 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, announced in a press release from the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education (ACE) on Monday, January 12.

Elective Classifications are awarded to institutions “that have made extraordinary commitments to their public purpose,” according to carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu. In being awarded the Community Engagement elective, Rockford University has proven to be committed to a “partnership of college and university knowledge and resources with those of the public and private sectors to enrich scholarship, research, and creative activity; enhance curriculum, teaching, and learning; prepare educated, engaged citizens; strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility; address critical societal issues; and contribute to the public good” (carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/elective-classifications).

“Enriching our students’ educations and lives by engaging them with the community is a vital part of our institutional identity and rooted in the enduring legacy of alumna Jane Addams, founder of Hull-House and Nobel Peace Prize winner,” said Dr. Mary Weaks-Baxter, professor and Director of the Jane Addams Center for Civic Engagement at Rockford University. “We are honored to have received the Classification for Community Engagement from the Carnegie Foundation and the recognition that it brings to Rockford University’s commitment to community and civic engagement.”

The Rockford University community is thrilled to celebrate the achievements of senior Jocelyn Solis, 2025 Illinois Secretary of State’s Recipient of the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award.

The John Lewis Youth Leadership Award honors “the late Congressman John Lewis, his impact and extraordinary accomplishments throughout his career. The award celebrates the efforts of young Illinoisians between the ages of 18 and 25 who, like Lewis, have made exceptional civic contributions to their communities.” Learn more at ilsos.gov.

During her time at Rockford University, Jocelyn has not only excelled in her coursework, studying psychology and human development, but outside of the classroom as well. She serves as a Jane Addams Fellow at the Jane Addams Center for Civic Engagement on campus, focusing on spreading literacy, uplifting student voices, and implementing service projects. She is a proud first-generation student and a member of the Regents First program. Off campus, Jocelyn works with the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, leading their “In Youth We Trust” philanthropy program.

“This is an exceptional honor and a powerful reflection of Jocelyn’s leadership, service, and commitment to civic engagement, both as a Jane Addams Fellow and as an intern and volunteer at the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois,” said Dr. Chelsea Minor, Assistant Dean of Student Life and Director of Career Development, who nominated Jocelyn for the award.

On Saturday, October 25, students from Rockford University’s Kinesiology Senior Seminar class will host a free youth baseball/softball camp on RU’s new turf baseball and softball fields.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m., the camp will focus on skills such as throwing, fielding, hitting, and baserunning–all taught by RU students and baseball players.

Lunch from Buffalo Wild Wings will be provided, and attendees will be sent home not just with a new set of skills, but goody bags as well.

In the case of inclement weather, the camp will be moved indoors.

Register today at using this link.

…

Media are invited to attend and should RSVP. For further information and to RSVP, please contact Kayla Eddy, Rockford University Digital Content and Web Marketing Coordinator, at keddy@rockford.edu.

…

This press release was created by students in Dr. Cathy Headley’s Senior Seminar course.