Morgan Bell, from Rockford, Illinois is the Rock Solid Regent for the week of March 21. Morgan is a junior criminal justice and psychology major. She was nominated by Stacy Simms, Assistant Director of SAS. Stacy shared that, “Morgan is a great representative of Rockford University. She works very diligently at her off campus job and internship. She always has a smile on her face and is willing to lend a helping hand to those in need”.

Morgan feels that RU has been a great place to pursue her academic goals. She appreciates the endless support and guidance she receives from her teammates, coaches, faculty, staff and classmates at RU. In addition to her academic progress, Morgan participates in several extracurricular activities. She is the captain of the Women’s Soccer Team, Vice President of Psych Society and Founders House. She also serves as a Student Alumni Ambassador and participant in SAAC. After graduation from RU Morgan has plans to attend graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology Counseling.  While on her career journey Morgan would eventually like to obtain a doctorate degree in Forensic Psychology. Congratulations, Morgan!

For immediate release 3/18/2016
Media Contact: Director of Communications, Rita Elliott 815-226-3374

Rockford, Ill., –  An open house highlighting the various graduate programs and adult accelerated degree program offered at Rockford University will be held Wednesday, April 6 in room 122 of the PURI Business School from 4:30-7:00 p.m. During the open house, prospective students will learn more about the Gradute Programs in Education, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program and the Accelerated Degree Completion Bachelor of Science in Management Studies (BSMS).

The offerings of the Graduate Programs in Education are geared to prepare educators for a rewarding future in their field. Students can earn a Professional Educator License with initial and/or subsequent endorsements as well as pursue a master’s degree. The programming will soon be extended to include an online ESL/bilingual endorsement and courses focused on urban education.

The MBA program combines the best of theory and practice in a dynamic classroom setting. Small class sizes, combined with a professional, experienced, and dedicated faculty, provide a quality learning experience to help students develop managerial skills.

Working adults wishing to obtain a business degree in an accelerated program are encouraged to learn more about the BSMS program. The program is geared to harness leadership abilities, increase presentation skills, and promote decision-making and critical thinking.

The open house is free to attend and no pre-registration is needed. For more information about the open house, and to find out more about any of the programs, visit rockford.edu or call 815-226-4040.

For Immediate Release- 3/17/2016
Contact- Art Gallery Director, Danielle Barton 815-226-4105

Rockford, Ill. – ‘Dust Archive’ will open March 17 at the Rockford University Art Gallery and will feature the work of artist Bradley Cahill. The exhibit, open through April 15, will showcase a variety of carvings from the artist. His work focuses on building a personal mtyhology based on ancient legends and contemporary experience. The influence for the exhibit comes from heavy objects of reverance, which led Bradley to begin carving stone in 2002 in order to have a better understanding of that archaic art form.‌

The exhibit will open Friday, March 17 with an opening reception 6 – 8:30 p.m. An artist talk will be held at 6:30 p.m. The gallery exhibit will close April 15. The Rockford University Art Gallery is located in the Clark Arts Center at 5050 East State Street, Rockford. Gallery Hours are Monday – Wednesday, 3 – 6 p.m., Friday, 2-5 p.m. and by appointment.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. Clark Arts Center is wheelchair accessible. For more information, contact the Rockford University Box Office at 815-226-4100.

To see list of upcoming Art Gallery exhibits visit: https://www.rockford.edu/artslectures/artgallery/.

Freshman Lewis Bochette is the Rock Solid Regent for the week of March 14. Lewis is a nursing major from Harvard, Illinois. He was nominated by Jim Schroeder, Head Football Coach. Coach Schroeder shared that Lewis is a focused, hard worker in the classroom and on the field. He is an example of the “academic athlete” that RU is eager to have participate in the sports program. During the fall semester, while balancing his practice and game schedule, Lewis earned a 3.5 GPA and he is working to do even better for the spring semester. Additionally, he also works as an event staff member for RU basketball games.

Lewis enjoys RU because of the small class sizes and the healthy environment with great students, coaches, professors and staff members. He feels that faculty and staff do their best to help students accomplish their goals not only in the classroom but also in life. After graduation from RU Lewis has plans to work as an emergency room nurse and possibly attend graduate school to further his education. Congratulations, Lewis!

Final preparations are underway for Performing Arts students and faculty to make their journey to Edinburgh, Scotland to perform in this year’s international Festival Fringe. Two remaining events are planned to help support the students’ trip and will feature sneak peaks of “Taps, Tunes and Tales from the American Songbook.”

Wednesday, June 29 (2016) from 5-7 p.m.
University Club, 945 N Main St, Rockford, IL 61103

Professor Deborah Mogford and Friends of the Performing Arts member Bob Kantner ’79 will be University Club Guest Bartenders for the evening with proceeds going to support trip expenses. Students will also be there to perform various pieces that are planned for the festival. Guest Bartending events are open to the public.

Friday, July 29, 2016, 7:30 pm
Maddox Theatre – Clark Arts Center, Rockford University

Students’ will debut the entire show, “Taps, Tunes, and Tales of the American Songbook” that will be performed while in Scotland.
There is no charge to attend. Freewill offerings are welcome.

Contact the RU Box office for more information: boxoffice@rockford.edu or 815-226-4100.

More about the students’ trip to Scotland:

20 students and three faculty members are preparing for a unique opportunity this summer to perform on an international stage. The RU group will be attending the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, held August 5 – 29, in the Scottish capital city. Rockford University is one of only four small colleges in the United States invited to attend. Only eight total from the U.S. were invited.

Led by Performing Arts Department Chair and Professor of Performing Arts Deborah Mogford, Associate Professor of Music Timm Adams, and Assistant Professor of Dance Amy Wright, the students will perform a new piece created specifically for the festival, “Taps, Tunes and Tales of the American Songbook.” RU will be at the festival for two weeks and performances will take place throughout the city.

More about this exciting opportunity can be found in the Sunday, March 6, 2016, story in the Rockford Register Star – Rockford University to take the stage at world’s largest performing arts festival in Scotland.

Students attending the Edinburgh Festival Fringe are:

Taylor Barnes – Venutra, Calif.
Elisha Beston – Singapore
Mary Bridgeland – Freeport, Ill.
Addison Clearwood – Madison, Wis.
Sarah Cleeland – St. Louis, Mo.
Courtney Foschi – Frankfort, Ill.
Janelle Good – East Highland, Calif.
Samantha Hodson – Flower Mound, Texas
Maya Hopkins – Rockford, Ill.
Kyle McCaffrey – Niles, Ill.
Brandon Michaud – Saint Peters, Mo.
Ilea Pearce – Rockford, Ill.
Joi Pierre – Houston, Texas
Zachary Pletcher – Highland Village, Texas
Kyle Rainey – The Colony, Texas
Alex Smith – Rockford, Ill.
Owen Thomas – Portsmouth, N.H.
Emily Todt – Jackson, Mo.
Sarah Vallacchi – Shreveport, La.
Ana Weickert – Rockford, Ill.

Learn more about these student achievements and others on RU’s Merit page.

This story was first published in March 2016 and has been updated. 

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

20 students and three faculty members are preparing for a unique opportunity this summer to perform on an international stage. The RU group will be attending the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, held August 5 – 29, in the Scottish capital city. Rockford University is one of only four small colleges in the United States invited to attend. Only eight total from the U.S. were invited. Other invited colleges include Texas A&M University, Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and the University of Alabama.

Led by Performing Arts Department Chair and Professor of Performing Arts Deborah Mogford, Associate Professor of Music Timm Adams, and Assistant Professor of Dance Amy Wright, the students will perform a new piece created specifically for the festival, “Taps, Tunes and Tales of the American Songbook.” RU will be at the festival for two weeks and performances will take place throughout the city.

The Rockford University Student Opportunity Fund has committed $47,500 to help offset the expenses of the trip. Additional fundraisers are being held and include a wine tasting and student performance event hosted by RU Friends of the Performing Arts at The Bee’s Knees General Store, 118 N. First St., Rockford, on Friday, April 1, 6 – 10 p.m. $20 per person, with all donations going to support the trip. 

More about this exciting opportunity can be found in the Sunday, March 6, story in the Rockford Register Star – Rockford University to take the stage at world’s largest performing arts festival in Scotland.

Students attending the Edinburgh Festival Fringe are:

Taylor Barnes – Venutra, Calif.
Elisha Beston – Singapore
Mary Bridgeland – Freeport, Ill.
Addison Clearwood – Madison, Wis.
Sarah Cleeland – St. Louis, Mo.
Courtney Foschi – Frankfort, Ill.
Janelle Good – East Highland, Calif.
Samantha Hodson – Flower Mound, Texas
Maya Hopkins – Rockford, Ill.
Kyle McCaffrey – Niles, Ill.
Brandon Michaud – Saint Peters, Mo.
Ilea Pearce – Rockford, Ill.
Joi Pierre – Houston, Texas
Zachary Pletcher – Highland Village, Texas
Kyle Rainey – The Colony, Texas
Alex Smith – Rockford, Ill.
Owen Thomas – Portsmouth, N.H.
Emily Todt – Jackson, Mo.
Sarah Vallacchi – Shreveport, La.
Ana Weickert – Rockford, Ill.

Learn more about these student achievements and others on RU’s Merit page.

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

Rockford, Ill., – The Center for Ethics and Entrepreneurship at Rockford University will be hosting an Entrepreneurial Education conference March 14. Due to an increase of employment in entrepreneurial firms, speakers will be discussing the best way to pursue entrepreneurship and how the traditional model of education can help or hinder the process.

Presenters at the conference include: Michael Strong, co-founder of the college prep school and entrepreneurial incubator Ko School and Incubator; Professor Albert Loan of University Francisco Marroquin in Guatemala City; Bernadita Jensen, co-founder of four Montessori schools in Chile, current headmistress of Colegio Pucalan Montessori and leader of the Pucalan School of Education; John Chisholm, CEO of John Chisholm Adventures; and Professor Piotr Kostylo, of University of Kasimir the Great in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Registration is free and lunch is included. Register online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/entrepreneurial-education-conference-tickets-21230378634. The conference will be from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in Regents Hall, Burpee Center, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford. Contact Jennifer Harrolle at JHarrolle@rockford.edu for more information. The conference has been supported by the John Templeton Foundation.

Contact: Director of Career Development, Maurice West II, 815-226-4022

Rockford, Ill., — Rockford University and Rock Valley College will host a career and internship fair on Wednesday, March 16 from 1-4 p.m. The fair will be held in Regents Hall, Burpee Center, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford. Students and alumni of both institutions, as well as the public, are invited to attend.

Pre-registration for those planning to attend the fair is available online at https://www.collegecentral.com/CCNEngine/LiveEvents/LiveEvents.cfm?EventID=1749. Job seekers are strongly encouraged to pre-register. Resumes of those that pre-register will be sent to employers prior to the beginning of the fair. Registration will also be available the day of the event. Appropriate interview attire is required to enter the fair.

For a list of employers attending or for more information please contact the Rockford University career development office at 815-394-4287 or e-mailing JEnnis@rockford.edu.

Contact – Director of Communications, Rita Elliott 815-226-3374

Rockford University will celebrate the 169th year of the signing of its charter Monday, February 29, 201, at 4 p.m., during the Charter Day Convocation. OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center President and Rockford University alumna Paula Carynski will give the keynote address with a speech entitled, “Leadership is a Journey.” Ms. Carynski graduated from then Rockford College with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1987. She joined OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in 1985 and became its President in July 2013 after serving as Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer since 1999. Previously, Ms. Carynski served in many capacities at OSF Saint Anthony, including Director of Nursing Operations, Director of Regional Heart Institute, Director of Neuroscience Institute and Director of Cardiovascular Services. Along with Ms. Carynski’s address, the day includes an academic procession of faculty in traditional robes depicting their rank, with stoles representing their respective alma maters and degrees.

Charter Day Convocation takes place in Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are required. Clark Arts Center is accessible. For more information, contact the Rockford University Box Office at 815-226-4100 or boxoffice@rockford.edu.

The Charter Day Convocation is part of the University’s Forum Series. To see the Spring 2016 Forum Series line-up visit: www.rockford.edu/artslectures/forum.

Lauren Spitznas, from Rockford, Illinois is the Rock Solid Regent for the week of February 29. Lauren, is a junior nursing major and was nominated by Dr. Mehmet Dik. Dr. Dik shared, “Lauren has made a significant difference in my statistics class by her attentiveness, willingness, exemplary academic work, and good vibes spreading around.” Lauren earned the highest grade in Dr. Dik’s math course. He was impressed with how Lauren always came to class prepared for the session and ready to help her classmates. Dr. Dik further commented that she is the kind of caring person who brightens her environment regularly. She is an example of the saying, “a candle loses nothing by lighting the flame of another.”

In addition to her academic endeavors, Lauren is a single mom who has worked hard to balance her personal and educational responsibilities. She was recently selected by the Center for Learning Strategies (CLS) to co-facilitate the February Success Workshop titled, “Effective Time Management: Creating and Using a Study Schedule”. The workshop was well attended and Lauren shared many useful tips on how to create a daily schedule focused on your academic priorities.

In the midst of her busy schedule Lauren also finds time to volunteer as a first responder for fire and rescue at Blackhawk Farms which is affiliated with Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). She enjoys the wonderful teachers and staff at RU who are always available to help when students are in need. After graduation Lauren would like to relocate to the Chicagoland area and work in a neonatal intensive care unit. Congratulations, Lauren!