Saturday, October 15, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will be sponsoring a forum discussing the shortage of clean water worldwide and Rockford’s solutions. The Rockford schools and businesses are heavily involved in designing and implementing cutting-edge solutions to worldwide needs of water. The public is invited to come and hear some of the many global projects Rockford is doing this Saturday from 10 am-12 pm, Starr Science Bldg Rm 207, on the Rockford University campus, 5050 East State Street.

Rockford University Associate Professor Troy Skwor, Ph.D. will be moderating.

The Third Annual Rockford City Dance Festival takes place this Friday and Saturday with performances in Maddox Theatre. Both shows start at 7:30 and will feature an exciting and compelling night of ballet and modern dance. The dance festival is also part of the University’s Fall Forum Series.

Along with RU students, this year’s featured artists include:

Rockford University Orchesis
Bad Wolf Dance Theatre
Without Shoes Modern Dance Company
Caitlyn and Meghan Baylor
Jessica Melville Goodin
Maria E. Castello and Jacques Saint-Cyr
Mitchell R. Stolberg and Susie Matthews

Tickets are free but a reserved ticket is required – boxoffice@rockford.edu or 815-226-4100. Free will donations accepted at the door.

Photo from “Heads or Tails” by Amy A. Wright, photo by Greg Farnham

A state representative candidate forum will be held on Sunday, Oct. 16, Maddox Theatre in the Clark Arts Center on Rockford University’s campus, 5050 East State Street, Rockford.

A Meet & Greet with the Candidates begins at 1 p.m., followed by a candidate forum at 2 p.m. The forum will be moderated by 13 WREX Evening News Anchor Kristin Crowley.

Candidates attending include:

68th District
John Cabello – Republican
Trisha Cratty-Sweeney – Democrat

69th District
Joe Sosnowski – Republican
Angelique Bodine – Democrat

SPONSORS INCLUDE: Rockford University, Jane Addams Center for Civic Engagement, 13 WREX, League of Women Voters, and AAUW (American Association of University Women)

This event is free and open to the public.

Director of Communications Rita Elliott, 815-226-3374

Enrollment of full-time undergraduate students at Rockford University has reached a record high of 924 students for fall 2016, up from last year’s record of 903 students. The University’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program also reached a record credit hour enrollment of 736, an increase over last year’s record of 723 credit hours. The University’s total student population is now 1,298 which includes 101 international students from 20 countries who are enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and ESL programs. Founded in 1847, Rockford University is the area’s only four-year residential campus.

Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management Matthew Phillips, ’02/’06 says, “Rockford University is growing. We are making solid gains when many other Midwest institutions are finding it difficult to maintain enrollments. It’s an exciting time as we continue on a path of growth and greater internationalization of our campus. This year, more than ever before, we are able to bring the world to our campus, and in turn, our campus to the world with a richness of cultures and diversity that benefits our entire community.”

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) and Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Urban Education. 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.

The Rock Solid Regent for the week of October 3 is Sarah Oeltjen. Sarah is a sophomore business administration major with an emphasis in finance. Sarah was nominated by Maria Diemer, Assistant Director of Global Affairs. She is from Westerstede, Germany and originally came to RU to study English as a second language. Maria Diemer shared that since arriving on our campus Sarah has proven herself to be a great student, leader, and employee. She consistently maintains a high GPA while working as a global ambassador to new international students and participating in the Multicultural Club and Craft Club. Additionally, Sarah recently served as an orientation leader for new students arriving on campus this semester. Sarah enjoys attending RU because the faculty members care about students and are willing to help if a problem arises. She enjoys the small classroom sizes which allows her to ask teachers questions directly. Furthermore, Sarah enjoys being a residential student because in Germany “living on campus” is not offered to students. She is very appreciative for having so many people around her who are willing to help. She feels that RU has now become a second home for her. Sarah is not exactly sure what she will do after graduation. Currently she is considering continuing her education to earn a Master’s degree in Business. Her ultimate goal is to one day own her own business. Congratulations Sarah, you are a ROCK SOLID REGENT.

Media Contact: Director of Communications, Rita Elliott 815-226-3374

Rockford, Ill. – LaShun McGhee was recently named the compliance and Title IX coordinator at Rockford University. McGhee joins the University after spending time at Rosecrance, Inc. as the certified lead addiction counselor. She also spent time at Rock Valley College as the dean of students specialist and deputy Title IX coordinator. She brings nearly 15 years experience to the role with combined knowledge of mental health, social justice, student conduct, prevention, and compliance. Her role at Rockford University will include providing consultation, training, education for faculty, staff and students and overseeing compliance campus wide.

McGhee is a veteran of United States Army. She received her bachelors degree in Psychology from Northern Illinois University and completed graduate work at National Louis University. She is a trained and certified Title IX civil rights investigator, level I & II, with the association of Title IX administrators (ATIXA), a D. Stafford & Associates sexual misconduct investigator, and a 40 hour trained sexual assault advocate. Her community involvement includes being a current member of the Domestic Violence Coordinated Community Response Team and Winnebago County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition.

Malcolm Engelbrecht from Belvidere, Illinois is our ROCK SOLID REGENT for the week. Malcolm is a junior biology major and was nominated by Dr. Gidget Tay. He currently serves as the president of RU’s Science Club, Alpha Helix. Additionally, Malcolm works as a peer tutor and is setting an example for his peers by currently holding the highest grade in his organic chemistry course. Dr. Tay shares that he is a very organized student and a strong leader. Malcolm appreciates that his professors are always available to provide him with help outside of class. He feels that these positive interactions with his instructors are a major contributing factor to his successful studying routine. Attending graduate school after graduation from Rockford University is a current goal for Malcolm. He plans to attend medical school and work towards a doctorate degree. Congratulations Malcolm on being a ROCK SOLID REGENT!

The Rock Valley College and Rockford University Career & Internship Fair is an opportunity for employers to recruit job and internship seekers. Employers come to RVC and have an opportunity to meet current and former students, and members of the community. Fair attendees can submit their resume and employers can briefly interview the candidates.

To register and for more information visit: www.RUReadyJobs.com

Picnic
Oct. 6–9, 2016, Thu-Sat @ 7:30 PM, Sun. @ 2:00 PM
Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center
Rockford University – 5050 East State Street

$12 adults, $9 students and seniors
Order tickets online or reserve at boxoffice@rockford.edu, 815-226-4100

Directed by ‌Deborah Mogford, Performing Arts Chair, Professor of Performing Arts

Considered William Inge’s masterpiece, Picnic won the 1953 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. On the morning of a Labor Day picnic emotions of joy, hope, longing, jealousy, anticipation, loneliness, love, and lust are ignited among the seemingly complacent townsfolk when a handsome drifter arrives in their small Kansas community.

“Picnic is really a play about how you always want what you cannot have. Every character in it longs for something that is just beyond reach—beauty, marriage, respectability, economic security, true love, emotional peace. Inge writes warmly, with such sensitive, understated compassion about little people desperate for a place in a bigger world that his work is timeless” – New York Observer

The majority of phone lines on RU’s campus are down due to a lightning strike, including the University’s main information line, 815.226.4000. Work to restore service is underway, however an exact time for the restoration of all services is still unknown. Network and email services are working so, please don’t hesitate to readout out via email if needed. The campus directory can be found at rockford.edu/directory.

We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to restore our phone service.