Mayra is a senior Elementary Education major from LaSalle-Peru, Illinois. She is a Golden Apple Scholar and is also pursuing teaching endorsements in Bilingual and Special Education. Mayra was nominated by Professor Lynn Stafford, Associate Professor in the Education Department.

Professor Stafford shared that Mayra is “passionate about serving students with autism and she loves to address diversity in the classroom”. In addition to her coursework, Mayra is an RU athlete, serving as a member of the cross country as well as track and field teams. She also serves as president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Mayra feels that RU is a great place to study because there is so much support provided from individuals on campus. She states, “It has been amazing to be able to build relationships with professors who are willing to support me no matter what I am working on”. After graduation from RU Mayra has plans to begin her career teaching 1st or 2nd grade students! Congratulations, Mayra!

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

Rockford, Ill. – The Rockford University Psych Society Club is running their annual coat drive through December 1. All donations to the drive will benefit the Jubilee Center, a drop-in shelter for adults with mental illness who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, and MAYA’s House, a drop-in center for children under five whose families are homeless.

Part of Psych Society’s mission is to serve at-risk populations through the promotion of civic responsibility and community education. The club is comprised entirely of Rockford University undergraduate student volunteers. Associate Professor of Psychology Elaine Sharpe serves as club supervisor.

Gently used or new coats, hats, gloves, scarfs and cold weather apparel and accessories of all sizes are being accepted. The Psych Society has partnered with The Home Depot and Clodius and Co. Jewelers to place donation boxes in the community. Donations can be dropped off through December 1 in the University’s Burpee Center at 5050 E. State St.; The Home Depot, 6930 Argus Dr.; and Clodius and Co. Jewelers, 252 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford.

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

Rockford, Ill., –Approximately 200 students from high schools in the Stateline area will visit Rockford University to attend the Annual Entrepreneurship Day, on Thursday, November 19, 2015 in the University’s Burpee Center, 5050 East State Street, Rockford.

Entrepreneurship Day events will include professors from the University’s Economics, Business and Accounting Department speaking about what it takes to be an entrepreneur, as well as subjects such as Market Analysis, Business Planning and Finance. Students will also work in teams to develop a business plan for a product or service of their choosing. Teams will develop their plans with discussion and activities facilitated by Rockford University professors and current MBA students.

There will be a panel of area entrepreneurs that will share their knowledge with the students and answer questions about their experience. Optional tours of the Rockford University campus are included in the day.

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

‌‌‌Rockford University has been designated a 2016 Military Friendly® School by Victory Media, the leader in successfully connecting the military and civilian worlds, and publisher of G.I. Jobs®, STEM JobsSM and Military Spouse. Now in its seventh year, the original, premier Military Friendly® Schools designation provides service members and their families with transparent, data-driven ratings about post-military education and career opportunities.

Institutions competed for the elite Military Friendly® School title by completing a survey of over 100 questions covering ten categories, including military support on campus, graduation and employment outcomes, and military spouse policies. Survey responses were scored against benchmarks across these key indicators of success. In addition, data was independently tested by EY (Ernst & Young) based upon the weightings and methodology established by Victory Media with guidance from an independent Advisory Board of higher education and recruiting professionals. A full list of board members can be found at MilitaryFriendly.com/advisory-council.

The Military Friendly® Schools designation is awarded to the top colleges, universities, community colleges and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace military students, and to dedicate resources to ensure their success both in the classroom and after graduation. The methodology used for making the Military Friendly® Schools list has changed the student veteran landscape to one much more transparent, and has played a significant role over the past seven years in capturing and advancing best practices to support military students across the country.

Grant is a freshman mathematics major from Belvidere, Illinois. He was nominated by Dr. Mehmet Dik, Professor and Chair Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics. Dr. Dik as well as other mathematics department faculty state that it is a pleasure to have Grant in class and he is an example of an ideal student.

Grant is taking Calculus I this semester, and his professor shared that he is receiving high scores on assignments and tests. He participates in class, offering good questions and comments and frequently provides solutions to complex problems. Additionally, Grant has been a great asset to the physics program. He has been helping Dr. Shukla in the physics lab to sort and catalog equipment and he has displayed great initiative in making the process efficient and productive.

Recently, Grant served as the student facilitator for the October Success Workshop sponsored by the Office of Student Success and Retention. Grant was selected by Student Administrative Services to facilitate the workshop because through his hard work, he has successfully secured multiple outside scholarships that allow him to pay his tuition and remain a successful student at RU. With this opportunity Grant was able to teach others about strategies for identifying and applying for scholarships.

Grant is very involved in his church youth group and he has plans to join the RU Math Club next semester. He is thankful that RU is close to home and offers academic scholarships for students. He appreciates that the small class size allows him to spend quality time with his professors. After graduation Grant plans to work and live in the Rockford region and continue to help those around him in whatever way he can. Congratulations, Grant!

Tessa is from, Belvidere, Illinois and was nominated by Dr. Tara Wood. She is a junior special education major, and this is her first semester at Rockford University. Tessa is excited that she has already made great connections with professors as well as other students. Prior to transferring to RU Tessa attended Rock Valley College.

Dr. Wood shared that Tessa is an absolutely wonderful student. Specifically, she is an active and engaged learner who often helps with creating lively classroom dialogue. Her insights into class readings are sharp, clever and keenly demonstrate her attentive and thorough engagement with course materials. Additionally, she is warmly receptive to the ideas of her peers in class. Dr. Wood stated that it is a privilege to teach Tessa and described her as precisely the kind of student we might hope for in every RU seat.

When she is not focused on her course work, Tessa enjoys spending time with family, her pets and playing the guitar and piano. She also helps operate her family business where she serves as a jewelry designer. She loves the smaller classes at RU which allow for more one-on-one time with teachers. Tessa stated, “I have never been to a school where the whole community was so helpful and involved”. After graduation from RU she plans to find a job in the field of special education and to focus on giving back to the community. Congratulations, Tessa!

Contact- Art Gallery Director, Danielle Barton 815-226-4105 

Rockford, Ill. – ‘Levitation Lessons: Monsters, Buildings, & Other Abstractions’ will open October 30 at the Rockford University Art Gallery featuring the work of artist Derrick Buisch. The exhibit references a variety of punk doctrines the artist discovered as a young man in the 1980s. His current studio practice is influenced by ‘zines’, self-published and limited run works that are reproduced quickly via photocopier, that he has been making for almost 25 years. Each image in the exhibit is a continuation of an ongoing dialogue with fabrication techniques used within both fine art and punk culture.

The exhibit will open Friday, October 30 with an opening reception 6 – 8:30 p.m. An artist talk will be held at 6:30 p.m. ‘Levitation Lessons’ will close December 2. 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, 12-3 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 a full list of upcoming Art Gallery exhibits visit: https://www.rockford.edu/artslectures/artgallery/.

Contact: Office of Admission, 815-226-4050
Rockford, Ill., – Students interested in attending Rockford University are invited to attend the University’s Visit Day on Wednesday, November 11 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Rockford University, 5050 East State Street, Rockford.

Visit Days provide prospective students and their families the opportunity to gain an in-depth look at Rockford University’s campus, faculty, student life and services. During the day there will be chances to meet with faculty, talk to admission counselors and tour the campus, located in the heart of Rockford on 150 wooded acres.

A complimentary lunch will also be served in the University’s cafeteria from its on-campus dining service. Prospective students are also invited to stay overnight in one of the University’s residence halls or at one of the area’s hotels.

To arrange for your reservation at Visit Day, register online, e-mail admissions@rockford.edu, or call the Office of Admission at 815-226-4050 or 800-892-2984. The next visit day will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2016.

Contacts:
Pam Clark Reidenbach, Director, Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence at Rockford University: 815-226-2833
Director of Communications Rita Elliott, 815-226-3374

Rockford, Ill., – The United Way of Rock River Valley confirmed their partnership with the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NICNE) at Rockford University through a three-year commitment of $51,000. Funds will be used to build nonprofit capacity, draw national experts to our community, create dialogue on best practices, and support the integration of additional NICNE resources into the academic units at the University.

‌‌“United Way has been a strong partner with NICNE throughout our 11 year history. This three year commitment demonstrates their continued support of nonprofits and the crucial role they play in creating a healthy community and strong economy,” said Pam Clark Reidenbach, director of NICNE. Funds from United Way of Rock River Valley are coupled with a $60,000 three-year grant awarded by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois. The combined $111,000 allows NICNE, UWRRV and the CFNIL to focus critical, capacity-building services for area nonprofit organizations on best practices that will “move the needle” in the right direction and demonstrate impact and significant value of the nonprofit sector.

“NICNE has been at the forefront of our community, encouraging regional collaboration that has resulted in a nonprofit sector that is second to none,” adds Paul Logli, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Rock River Valley. “The Northern Illinois region faces many issues including poverty, unemployment, and low education achievement. We must contend also with the struggling economy and massive cuts to social spending by the State of Illinois. Nonprofits agencies have never been so crucial to the improvement of our community and the betterment of our citizenry.”

NICNE was first formed in 2004 and has grown to reach more than 1,200 individuals from over 220 nonprofit organizations in 13 counties each year. United Way of Rock River Valley advances the common good in Winnebago and Ogle counties, creating opportunities for a better life by focusing on education, income, and health.

For more information about the Northern Center for Nonprofit Excellence, United Way Rock River Valley or the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, visit:

www.rockford.edu/community/nicne/
www.unitedwayrrv.org
cfnil.org/

Contacts:
Pam Clark Reidenbach, Director, Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence at Rockford University: 815-226-2833
Director of Communications Rita Elliott, 815-226-3374

Rockford, Ill., – The Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NICNE) at Rockford University has been awarded a grant totaling $60,000 from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL). The grant funds, referred to as “Collaboration Takes NICNE To The Next Level” will be dispersed over a three year period and are dedicated to expanding partnerships and collaboration to further enhance NINCE’s mission of providing capacity building, training, technical assistance and resource support to nonprofit organizations in the region.

‌NICNE Director Pam Clark-Reidenbach says, “We are deeply grateful to the CFNIL for its recognition of the value of the nonprofits and supporting efforts to promote innovation and excellence within the sector. These funds will help support expanded partnerships and collaborations that further enhance NICNE’s work in providing relevant capacity building programs, linking to regional and national resources, and to more deeply integrate into the University’s academic programs by connecting students with internship, research and community-based learning opportunities with our nonprofit partners.”

The primary components of the grant include maintaining the core programs for which area nonprofits have come to rely upon; creating collaborations with other colleges and universities across the country to enhance NICNE programming; integrating NICNE further into Rockford University’s academic programming; and generating conversations and on-going dialogue on cutting edge issues that transform and professionalize the nonprofit sector. NICNE will receive $20,000 per year for three years.

In addition to the CFNIL grant support, NICNE has also partnered with United Way of Rock River Valley to receive a total of $51,000 over the same three year period. The combined $111,000 in support of NICNE programming from the CFNIL and United Way of Rock River Valley demonstrates the region’s strong commitment to supporting a collaborative and vital nonprofit sector to better serve its citizenry.

NICNE was first formed in 2004 and has grown to reach more than 1,200 individuals from over 220 nonprofit organizations in 13 counties each year. The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is a regional leader in philanthropy. Its mission is to serve as a catalyst to attract, grow, and preserve an endowment for the needs of the people of Northern Illinois.

For more information about the Northern Center for Nonprofit Excellence, United Way Rock River Valley or the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, visit:

www.rockford.edu/community/nicne/
www.unitedwayrrv.org/
cfnil.org/