​Rockford University President Eric W. Fulcomer, Ph.D., presented the Jane Addams Medal for Distinguished Service to The Honorable Tammy Duckworth (D – IL) at a special presentation on Friday, February 7, 2020. The medal, given on behalf of the University and the Board of Trustees, honors the tradition of Jane Addams in recognition of her outstanding character and significant contributions to society. 

Dr. Fulcomer said, “Rockford University is truly honored to present the Jane Addams Medal to Senator Duckworth. She embodies the ideals of service and justice for the betterment of our society and in the tradition of Jane Addams, she has shown tremendous courage and dedication in her service to the citizens of Illinois and our nation.”

Jane Addams grew up in Cedarville, Illinois. She graduated from Rockford Female Seminary (Rockford University) in 1881. Shortly after that, she established the world-renowned Hull-House Settlement Community. Hull House was designed to provide access to social and educational opportunities for those individuals newly arrived to Chicago. Through her work for peace, social justice, and the eradication of hunger, Jane Addams was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1931.

The Jane Addams Medal is awarded to women who have taken stands in their lives that required critical thinking and courageous action. Medal recipients, in the tradition of Jane Addams, are pioneers in their professions, outstanding in character, and recognized for their contributions to the arts, sciences, and society. The award was established in 1944 by a Rockford College trustee, Mr. George Frazer, and the medal was designed by Chicago artist Andrene Kauffman. Each bronze-cast medal is separately inscribed with the name of the recipient and presented at a special ceremony. The medal was first awarded to Dr. Florence Rena Sabin during the College’s Centennial Celebration on May 3, 1947. Since that time, the Jane Addams Medal has been awarded to 38, now including Senator Tammy Duckworth, of the world’s most outstanding women in science, education, humanities, arts, law, literature, and other fields of endeavor.

A full list of medal recipients along with a video recording of the medal presentation can be found on Rockford University’s website – https://www.rockford.edu/about/jane-addams-medal/.

Rockford, IL (February 04, 2020): Former Congressmen John Cox and Don Manzullo will discuss the role of super PACs, big money, and the polarization of politics in America on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Rockford University’s Severson Auditorium located in Scarborough Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

The Citizens United case brings to light concerns regarding the massive amounts of money being poured into today’s elections which allows individuals, corporations, and others to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence campaigns. The issue crosses both sides of the aisle as Manzullo, a Republican and Cox, a Democrat, who both represented the 16^th Congressional District of Illinois, will attest. They plan to share their insights on the impact big money has on the political environment – both from an insider’s perspective in Congress and as active community members.

“We want to draw attention to the issues of bundling, independent expenditures, and Super PACs,” shared Cox and Manzullo. “It has created chaos in the political system and unfair advantage, exacerbating an already hostile political environment. The more our citizens understand about the central issues of campaign finance, the better they can advocate for reform.”

The program is being co-sponsored by the Institute of World Affairs and Trade at Rockford University (IWAT), Rockford Public Library, and Dr. Ron Lee, Assistant Professor of Political Science. This program partnership is an opportunity to learn about the central issues of campaign finance and continue efforts to depolarize political discourse in our region like those being led by Rockford Public Library through its Better Angels Skills Building Workshops.

About the Institute of World Affairs and Trade at Rockford University (IWAT)

The Institute of World Affairs and Trade at Rockford University is a non-partisan public policy organization. It is dedicated to exploring domestic and international issues and their impact at a local level.

CONTACT:

Don Manzullo, 

Senior Advisor and Assistant Director, Institute of World Affairs and Trade at Rockford University

Adjunct Instructor, Rockford University

donmanzullo@yahoo.com

815-985 6415

Reflecting on her trip to Rome, supported in part by the University’s student opportunity fund, alumna Julia Wetzel ’14 can recall the exact moment that kick-started her aspiration to become a college professor.

She may not have known it then, but the view at the top of the Castel Sant’Angelo ignited the start of Julia’s interest in her current research, which examines the promotion of leadership qualities and charisma through Roman Imperial Architecture. This experience she immersed herself in, along with the inspiration her professors provided her during her time on this trip and while at the University, lead her to the realization that she could grant herself the opportunity to do the same thing they did for her. Thus she decided to further her education. She knew from that moment, that even though this pursuit would not be easy she was going to continue on to earn her doctorate degree.

“I love history, learning, and challenging myself,” Wetzel said. “Going for my Master’s degree and Ph.D. allows me to do all three and eventually find a career doing the same things I love and inspiring my students to find something that inspires them.”

While attending Rockford University, Julia majored in History and minored in Latin. She is currently attending the University of North Texas where she is working as a teaching assistant and is studying to graduate with a Master’s degree in Ancient History this summer. Julia is also looking forward to starting her next adventure as a Ph.D. candidate.

The support of her professors here at Rockford University helped her to achieve her dream of attending graduate school.

“They prepared me for what academia has to offer. I was able to cultivate my talents in a realistic yet encouraging environment. My professors did not hide how hard my journey was going to be from me and continued to encourage me along the way. The trip to Rome was one of those instances.”

While giving thought to her experiences here, Julia shared, “I was able to find my passion in life and discover that I wanted to continue my education to become a professor because of my time at the University. My greatest lesson was that I learned what I am capable of.”

If she could pass down one piece of advice to current and future students it would be to take advantage of these opportunities as she did. “The things that scare us the most are often the things worth doing. We don’t learn and grow from staying in our comfort zone.”

Rockford University welcomes Grammy-winning musicians Sonja DuToit Tengblad, Michelle Schumann, Ph.D., and Dann Coakwell, Ph.D., as they present Emily Dickinson: How she speaks to modern minds and musicians on Friday, January 31 at 12 p.m. in Fisher Memorial Chapel. This production is presented in collaboration with the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center and shatters the fourth wall where it invites you right into Emily’s living room, into a conversation through her enlightened and truth-seeking words.

Together, soprano, Ms. Tengblad, a champion of new music; pianist, Dr. Schumann, Austin Chamber Music Festival’s artistic director; along with Eric Neuville, who has since been substituted by tenor, Dr. Coakwell, Assistant Professor of Voice at Ithaca College, curated Modern Dickinson. Modern Dickinson, also known as Emily Dickinson: How she speaks to modern minds and musicians, is a touring program featuring 21st-century settings of Emily Dickinson’s poetry. This production was named the number three Best Arts Event in Austin, Texas 2015, and nominated for four Austin Critic’s Table Awards.

These three musicians explore Emily Dickinson and how she speaks to the composers, musicians, and minds of today. Through modern musical settings of her poetry, the audience will discover the historical context from which she spoke and how we too might speak truth to power in peaceful, poignant, and fearlessly individualized ways.

With the exception of Performing Arts events, the Forum Series is free of charge. This event will take place in Fisher Memorial Chapel located on the Rockford University campus, 5050 East State Street, Rockford. Tickets are required and can be obtained by contacting the Box Office at 815-226-4100 or boxoffice@rockford.edu. For a complete list of the 2020 Spring Forum Series events, visit Rockford.edu/ ArtsLectures/ ForumSeries.

A Chinese Lunar New Year celebration will be hosted by Rockford University’s Chinese Club and Office of Global Affairs on Thursday, January 30, 5-7 p.m., in Regents Hall, Burpee Student Center located on the Rockford University Campus at 5050 East State Street, Rockford.

This year’s celebration promises authentic Chinese dishes with beef, chicken, pork, seafood, and vegetarian options that will be prepared by the University’s 30 Chinese exchange students. This special event will include a gallery of hot pot, and hot and cold Chinese beverages. Other entertainment will include paper cutting, dumpling making, and Chinese puzzles and games. This event is free of charge and open to the public.

Rockford University’s spring 2020 Forum Series kicks off its first of nearly a dozen events with a production by Rockford University’s own Orchesis Dance Company. The dance concert will run Thursday- Saturday, January 23-25 at 7:30 p.m. and will take place in the University’s Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center.

Orchesis is produced in collaboration with various local artists and under the direction of our new Assistant Professor of Dance, Lindsay Hawkins. This event is held annually in honor of Jayne Poor. Rockford University dance company, Orchesis, was originally founded by the late Professor Jayne Poor, who is remembered for her passionate dedication to dance as an artist and educator at our institution and in the Rockford community.

Maddox Theatre is located in the Clark Arts Center, 5050 East State Street, Rockford. Clark Arts is accessible. Tickets are required and single ticket admission is $12 for adults and seniors age 55 and up, and $9 for students. Contact the Box Office for tickets at BoxOffice@rockford.edu or 815-226-4100 to purchase tickets.

As I write this, we are beginning the second half of the fall semester. It has been a good semester in many ways. We welcomed 300 new students to our traditional program and dozens more in our adult and graduate programs. Overall, our enrollment stands at 1225 students this fall, up from 1211 last fall. Our students come from 32 states and 20 countries – we are truly a global campus community.

In May, our Board of Trustees approved a new strategic plan that will map our course for the next five years, extending beyond our 175th anniversary. The plan is structured around four thematic elements and has its roots in Liberal Arts learning. Through robust external relations that leverage the support of an engaged community of partners, we will build a thriving campus that puts students first by providing a distinct student experience in and out of the classroom. Utilizing cutting-edge instruction, and with a commitment to instructional support, the university will conduct an unceasing and ongoing assessment of all practices that will create a vibrant sense of place for all.

Already this fall, we have begun to implement the strategic plan, particularly in the areas of student engagement and the development of partnerships with regional community colleges and businesses. We also have broken ground on the 3,800 square foot addition to the Seaver Physical Education Center, which you’ll note is featured on this issue’s cover. This $3.5 million project, funded by alumni and friends through the Rock Solid and Ready Campaign, will include an enhanced weight and fitness space and will add more classroom space for the rapidly growing physical education and exercise science programs. More details about the conclusion of our capital campaign and Seaver addition can be found on pg. 5.   

All in all, we have had a great start to the academic year. If you haven’t been back to campus recently, I encourage you to make a trip to see all of the exciting things happening at Rockford University.

Sincerely,

Eric W. Fulcomer, Ph.D.

While officially now ended, the long-term positive outcomes of the Rock Solid & Ready Capital Campaign are far from over. The campaign successfully closed on June 30, 2019, with $18.4 million raised against an original $17.3 million goal.

As a result of the Rock Solid & Ready Campaign, the University has been able to make substantial improvements in academic areas, the overall student experience, and learning spaces.  Highlights of the campaign include $1 million invested in modernizations to the Starr Science Building including the purchase of new scientific equipment; naming of the Puri School of Business and the installation of the Bloomberg Business Lab trading floor; and the creation of the Student Opportunity Fund which allows for supportive funding for students to further engage in research experiences with faculty and in unique learning opportunities. Finally, the strengthening of the University’s annual fund has allowed for extensive capital investments to take place throughout campus. More than $15 million has been invested over the past six years, resulting in noticeable improvements to our infrastructure and physical plant. 

President Fulcomer shares, “As Rockford University’s 18th president, it has been my privilege to continue working toward the successful completion of the elements outlined in the Rock Solid & Ready Campaign. As the vision for this important work began to take shape, I was fortunate in my previous role as Vice President of Enrollment Management to have served alongside President Emeritus Robert L. Head. Ultimately, thanks to the buy-in and support of more than 2,500 donors, we were successful in a campaign that allowed for a strengthening of the Rockford University experience for students, faculty, alumni, and friends. I am grateful to everyone for their remarkable support which has had a direct impact on the University’s ability to provide transformational experiences for our students.”

Campaign Chair and Board of Trustee member Jim Keeling adds, “The generosity of the Rockford University community has been incredible. We can directly see how the monies raised have had an immediate and positive impact. I am so proud of this institution. A flourishing Rockford University translates directly to a stronger Rockford community; something of which we can and should all be proud.”

Happening concurrently with efforts to raise funds to support specific campaign elements, several additional donors came forward to support students through the creation of endowed scholarships and bequest intentions. Additional gifts made to endowed scholarships during the life of the campaign amounted to more than $8.7 million, including planned gifts and bequest intentions valued at approximately $875,000. In all, during the period of the campaign, gifts and pledges to the University totaled more than $27.8 million.

Breaking Ground

The campus will undergo a significant physical change with a more than 3,800 square foot addition to the Seaver Physical Education Center. The $3 million project is expected to break ground before the end of the 2019. The new space will include an enhanced weight and fitness space and will add more classroom space for the rapidly growing physical education and exercise science programs. Also included in the renovation and addition is redesigned heating and cooling system that will provide for the entire building to be fully air-conditioned along with a more energy-efficient heating system. Designed by local architecture firm Larson & Darby Group, this vital expansion will be an essential venue for student learning and further support enrollment growth.

President Fulcomer concludes, “We have much to celebrate and much for which to look forward. It will be exciting to watch the Seaver transformation, knowing that when complete, the space will better serve all of our students. I am grateful to all who have helped us realize our goals.