Rockford University is investing $1.2 million in improvements to its campus, with the majority of work taking place during the summer months and prior to the University’s first day of classes on August 22, 2018. Approved by the Board of Trustees at its May meeting, the scope of work will impact virtually every area of campus. Approximately $600,000 of the $1.2 million has been dedicated to residence hall improvements.

Since 2008, the University has invested $25 million and made substantial improvements to its physical plant, including the 2015 renovations to the Burpee Student Center and Seaver Physical Education Center that totaled more than $5 million, and the recently completed $1 million modernization of the Starr Science Center. This summer’s project plan will focus on those elements that have the greatest impact to the overall student experience.

Senior Director of Operations Ed Tomaszkiewicz notes that just as important to the University’s external appearance is ensuring that critical infrastructure improvements are also part of the summer’s work schedule adding, “Balancing projects that include needs for new furniture, carpet, windows, exterior lighting and sidewalks with items like backup generators, chiller pumps, coils, and electrical system upgrades allow us to enjoy the excitement of sharing the visible transformations with our students and guests, while at the same time, giving us increased peace of mind that we are investing in what’s necessary to support the needs of a busy and growing campus.”

More than 60 projects are currently underway with the majority of work occurring prior to undergraduate students returning in early August. The construction does not impact the University existing variety of summer camps or classes that take place throughout the summer. Additional renovation work in residence halls, student lounges, classrooms and campus grounds will continue into the fall.  Undergraduate students will return to campus beginning in early August. Progress made throughout the summer will be highlighted and shared on the University’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.  

Aerial drone footage of Rockford University’s campus taken in June 2018.

Rockford University’s Adult and Graduate Programs will host a series of open house information sessions on Tuesday evenings from 4 – 7 p.m., in July starting on July 10. All information sessions will take place at the Puri School of Business, located just east of the University’s main 5050 East State Street entrance.

Anyone interested in learning more about the University’s adult programming options is encouraged to attend. Designed to help students advance their careers in business and education, offerings include the adult accelerated degree completion program for a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Studies (BSMS), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), and Master of Education in Urban Education (MEd). 

Guests will be able to speak with program faculty and admission staff and are encouraged to bring transcripts. Attendees will be able to apply for the program of their choice on site that evening.  Those who attend will also receive a $500 adult studies tuition voucher.

Light refreshments will be provided and there is no cost to attend. An RSVP is requested. To learn more and RSVP your attendance, visit www.rockford.edu/openhouse/. Open house information sessions will take place on July 10, July 17, July 24 and July 31 from 4 – 7 p.m., Puri School of Business, 5050 East State Street, Rockford.

The Rockford University Athletics Department is hosting Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, and Volleyball youth sports camps. All camps are run by University coaches, players, and staff members. Registration is currently open for all camps. Please see the dates, participant age groups and links to registration brochures below. 

Baseball

Rockford Area Summer Baseball Camp
     Date: Thursday-Friday, July 26-27, 2018
     Time: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
     Grades: 3rd-8th
     Location: Smith Athletic Field – Rockford University Campus, 5050 East State Street, Rockford

          Click for the Baseball brochure

Basketball

Regents Youth Basketball Camp
     Date: Monday, July 23 – Thursday, July 26
     Grades: 3rd-8th (Boys and Girls)
     Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 
     Location: Seaver Center – Rockford University Campus, 5050 East State Street, Rockford

     INCLUDES FOUR DAYS OF CAMP AND A FREE T-SHIRT!

          Click for the Basketball brochure

Soccer

Regents Youth Soccer Camp
      Date: Monday, July 16 – Thursday, July 19
      Grades: 5th-8th (Boys and Girls)
      Regular Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ($100)
      Extended Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ($120)
      Location: Smith Athletic Field  – Rockford University Campus, 5050 East State Street, Rockford

      INCLUDES FOUR DAYS OF CAMP AND A FREE T-SHIRT!

          Click for the Soccer brochure 

Rockford University High School Soccer Clinic
      Date: Monday, July 16 – Thursday, July 19
      Grades: 9th-12th (Boys and Girls)
      Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ($60)
      Location: Smith Athletic Field – Rockford University Campus, 5050 East State Street, Rockford

          Click for the Soccer brochure 

Volleyball – Hosted at UW Health Sports Factory

All Skills Camp: June 11-14, 2018 (grades 3-8)
All Skills Camp: June 18-21, 2018 (grades 3-8)
All Skills Camp: July 16-19, 2018  (grades 3-8)
Select Volleyball Camp: July 23-26, 2018 (ages 12–18)

     Volleyball Registration Link

ROCKFORD, Ill., – Rockford University President Eric W. Fulcomer, Ph.D., announces the appointment of Randy Worden, D.Min., as Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students. Dr. Worden is an experienced administrator with an extensive background in overseeing all areas of student life. He will have direct responsibility for the assistant dean of students, residence life, career services, Title IX, student activities and the health, wellness, and counseling center at the University.  

Most recently, Dr. Worden served as vice president and dean of student life at Fresno Pacific University since 2008 and has more than 25 years of professional student development experience. He has also served at Northwest Christian University, Houston Baptist University, California Baptist University and Azusa Pacific University. During his career, Dr. Worden  has spent time as a career counselor, campus pastor, director of residence life and in other senior administrative roles related to student development and leadership. He has a bachelor’s degree in Christian Education from Seattle Pacific University, a master’s in education in student development from Azusa Pacific University and his doctorate of ministry in leadership from George Fox University.

President Fulcomer notes, “I’m excited to welcome Dr. Worden to our campus and to the community. While formal learning takes place in the classroom, providing students with the comprehensive support they need throughout the many other areas of their college experiences is critically important to their overall success, both academically and socially. Dr. Worden is a proven and dedicated student advocate who understands the complexity of building and fostering an inclusive and vibrant student experience. He will be a valuable asset to our leadership team and most importantly to our students.”

Dr. Worden adds, “Change is all around us, particularly in how colleges and universities embrace the diverse needs of our youth entering into higher education. I see students as having their best chance at success and being most likely to become their best selves when they know they are cared for, are able to realize their talents and abilities amidst a nurturing and engaging community, and when they have meaningful relationships that are both supporting and challenging. When we meet students, they are frequently in the midst of determining what will be most important to them and deciding how they will spend their time. Students are making decisions and creating memories that last a lifetime. As I met Rockford students, it was clear how much the school meant to them and what a transformative place it was. I couldn’t help but want to be a part of what they were experiencing.”

A search committee vetted more than 45 applicants received from a national search before eventually narrowing their options down to three finalists. Campus visits for all candidates were conducted in late April. Worden will be relocating from California and assume his duties at Rockford University by July 1, 2018, which is the start of the 2018-2019 academic year.

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Rockford University is a four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The University offers approximately 80 majors, minors and concentrations, including the adult accelerated degree completion program for a B.S. in Management Studies. Through its Graduate Studies department, degrees are extended to include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Education (M.Ed.). Rockford University is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States and is ranked as a Best Regional University – Midwest Tier One by US News & World Report and was named by the Princeton Review as a Best in the Midwest institution. The University currently serves approximately 1,260 full-and part-time students.

The Physical Education Senior Seminar Class is looking to break the all-time attendance for an NCAA Division 3 game on Saturday, April 28 with their Rock the Record event. 

April 28, 2018
4:00 PM
Rockford Regents vs. Wisconsin Lutheran

Admission: $5

***Free T-Shirts & Wristbands and Autograph Signings***

Children 13 & Under FREE with a canned good and all kids will get the opportunity to go on to the field during the 7th inning stretch.

Proceeds, canned goods, and dry goods will go to A Silver Lining Foundation, Rock River Valley Pantry, and United way.

Rivets Stadium 4503 Interstate Blvd, Loves Park, IL  61111

(815) 240-4159 or Goregents.com 

Rockford University will hold its 164^th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 12, 2 p.m. at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St. in downtown Rockford. The University will award undergraduate and graduate degrees to 351 students from 16 states and 17 countries.

Bern Sundstedt, alumnus from the class of 1977 and Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Rockford University will address the 2018 class of graduates. Through his more than four decade relationship with the University, Sundstedt has been an integral connector to individuals who represent 11 decades of University life.

Sundstedt holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in acting from Rockford University and went on to attend Yale University’s Drama School, from which he graduated in 1981 with a Master of Fine Arts degree. Upon graduation he set off on a national tour of Othello which culminated in a four month run on Broadway. The years following, led to stints off-off-Broadway and in regional theatre and television.

Returning to Rockford in the early 90s, Sundstedt joined his alma mater in 1994 as Director of Grants, while also periodically teaching the advanced acting sequence as an adjunct instructor. Having taken on positions of increasing responsibility in Alumni and Development, he has served as Vice President for Institutional Advancement for the past eight years and will be resigning his position at the end of this academic year.  

Tickets are required to attend the ceremony, and are limited to degree candidates and their guests. They will not be available at the door of the Coronado.

Rockford University is a four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The University offers approximately 80 majors, minors and concentrations, including the adult accelerated degree completion program for a B.S. in Management Studies. Through its Graduate Studies department, degrees are extended to include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), and a Master of Education in Urban Education (ME.d). Rockford University is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States. Rockford University is also named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College. Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,300 full-and part-time students.

Rockford University will hold its fourth annual Day of Giving on Wednesday, April 25. The day’s goal is to harness the power of social media during a 24-hour blitz to raise funds for the Rock Solid and Ready Campaign. Challenges, fun incentives and special guests will be featured to encourage engagement and participation throughout the day. This year, proceeds will directly support Rockford University’s capital campaign with a dollar to dollar match, doubling the impact for every dollar given on April 25.

Rockford University is nearing the completion of its $17.3 million capital campaign, Rock Solid & Ready: The Campaign for Rockford University in November 2018. With a $17.3 million goal, Rock Solid & Ready seeks to sustain and support the University’s ongoing transformational process and to set the stage for a continued era of progress. Rock Solid & Ready is comprised of three primary categories that will more firmly establish a top-notch experience in and out of the classroom from which students can learn and grow. The University will:

• Compete by shaping modern facilities, ($6.1M)
• Create by enhancing the student experience, and ($7.2M)
• Commit by providing for current needs. ($4M)

To participate or follow Rockford University’s progress during the 2018 Day of Giving, connect with the University’s primary social media channels and use hashtags #RUNeedsU and #RUDoubleYourGift.

Website: rockford.edu/give/

Facebook: facebook.com/RockfordUniversity/

Instagram: instagram.com/rockforduniversity/

Twitter: twitter.com/RockfordUniv

YouTube: youtube.com/user/rockforduniversity

The Rockford University Performing Arts department welcomes TV, Film, and Theatre Actor Anthony Grasso back to campus for a special free community workshop for high school students and adult community members on Saturday, April 28, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. His focus will be on acting techniques for film as well as discuss the business of television and film. The workshop will take place in Cheek Theatre, Clark Arts Center, on the Rockford University campus. Clark Arts is accessible.

Grasso’s career spans more than 30 years as an actor, director, and teacher in film, television and theatre. His many credits include lead and supporting roles in shows like Gotham, Blue Bloods, the Law & Order franchise, Sex & The City; films Any Given Tuesday, Poughkeepsie, and The O2, to name a few. To see more of his work visit www.anthonygrasso.net/actor-reel/.

To reserve your spot for the Master Teacher workshop or for more information contact the Rockford University Box Office at 815.226.4100 or BoxOffice@rockford.edu. Spaces are limited.

Candide, an epic musical masterpiece, opens its run on April 19 on the Maddox Theatre stage. The show runs through Sunday, April 22. This rarely performed production is part of the Leonard Bernstein at 100 celebration and features a special partnership between Rockford University’s Performing Arts Department and the Rockford Symphony Orchestra in the pit orchestra. Candide is based on the book adapted from Voltaire by Hugh Wheeler with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Richard Wilbur with additional lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and John La Touche and is directed by Professor Jeff Hendry. The satirical novella was written by Voltaire, a philosopher of the Age of Enlightenment, and tells a comic tale of a young man’s journey from idealism to wisdom. Hendry says of the show, “Leonard Bernstein’s masterpiece of epic love and adventure is one of the most elaborate shows the University has produced. The set is three stories and covers the entire Maddox stage. There are more than 153 costumes. It is lavish beyond belief.”

Mr. Bernstein had a special connection to Rockford University, speaking at its commencement ceremony in 1966. His beloved piano teacher and long-time secretary, Helen Coates was a native of Rockford and 1916 graduate from then Rockford College. The Leonard Bernstein at 100 festival is made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts , the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois and Illinois Arts Council Agency. To learn more, visit: sites.google.com/site/leonardbernsteinat100/home.

This production is also part of Rockford University’s Spring Forum Series. Candide showtimes are Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. Single ticket admission for adults $12, seniors age 55 and up, and students is $9 unless otherwise noted. Group rates are available. Contact the Box Officefor tickets, email boxoffice@rockford.edu or 815-226-4100.

Maddox Theatre is located in the Clark Arts Center, 5050 East State Street, Rockford. Clark Arts is accessible.

International students at Rockford University will prepare a wide variety of international dishes for the University’s 10th annual International Food Festival, Saturday, April 21 from 5 to 8 p.m., doors will open at 4:30 p.m., in Regents Hall, 2nd floor, Burpee Center on the Rockford University Campus located at 5050 East State Street, Rockford.

Sponsored by Rockford University’s Multicultural Club and the Office of Global Affairs, the International Food Festival will feature authentic recipes from countries like Germany, Philippines, Japan, China, Sweden, Turkey, Syria, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Liberia, Mexico and Bosnia. Members from the Multicultural Club work with Sodexo professional chefs to prepare foods so that visitors can taste home cooked meals from their countries. International entertainment is also planned and includes traditional songs and dances from the international community. Rockford University is currently home to more than 114 international students representing 26 countries.

Date:

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Time:

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Cost:

Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door for adults. Children are $5 in advance, $6 at the door. Contact globalaffairs@rockford.edu or call 815-394-5112 for tickets or more information.

Where: Regents Hall, Burpee Center, Rockford University, 5050 East State Street

Website: www.rockford.edu/community/globalaffairs/iff/