Megan Miller
10/19/2015 11:25 am
Megan is a senior elementary education major from Lanark, Illinois. She is working towards earning a teacher license with an additional endorsement in special education. She was nominated by Assistant Professor of Education, Dr. Lydia Gerzel-Short. 
Joshua Cooper
10/12/2015 11:29 am
Josh is senior physical education major, from Yorkville, Illinois. He was nominted by Professor Tammy Schiek. When not in the classroom working diligently toward teacher licensure, he serves as a member of the Rockford University baseball team.Professor Schiek shared that Josh is a student who consistently participates in class discussions and offers high quality insight and reflection. Professor Schiek is particularly appreciative with his ability to readily accept feedback. She states that he is coachable in the classroom and on the baseball field. His desire to improve and excel is evident and admirable.
Josh is grateful for the small campus size at RU. He likes that he can walk around campus and see so many people that he knows by name. After graduation Josh plans to pursue a career teaching physical education and coaching baseball. Congratulations, Josh!
Announcing Rock Solid & Ready: The Campaign for Rockford University
10/08/2015 11:15 am
Contact: Rita Elliott, Director of Communications, 815-226-3374
Rockford, Ill – Rockford University announced today the launch of Rock Solid & Ready, a 17.3. million dollar campaign to further enhance the campus environment and the student experience. The public announcement was held in the Seaver Physical Education Center, the location adjacent to the planned new $6 million Athletic and Event Center that is included in the campaign goals. To date, the University has raised $10.7 million toward the $17.3 million goal.
Rock Solid & Ready is comprised of three primary categories:
Shaping Modern Facilities
$7.2 million
Athletic and Event Center $6 million
Science Center Modernizations $1.2 million
Enhancing the Student Experience
$6.1 million
Student Opportunity Fund (endowed) $1 million
Student Opportunity Fund (expendable) $1 million
Academic Program Enhancements $4.1 million
Providing for Ongoing Needs
$4 million
Charter Fund – the University’s annual fund.
President Robert L. Head, Ph.D., shared at the public announcement, “Working quietly for the past two years we have created the structure of a comprehensive fundraising campaign that will sustain and support our ongoing transformation process and set the stage for more and better things in the not too distant future. We are proud to introduce Rock Solid & Ready today and excited for all that this endeavor will accomplish on behalf our students.”
To learn more about the campaign, view the Rock Solid & Ready video located on the University’s YouTube channel.
Andrew Miller
10/05/2015 11:30 am
Andrew is a senior special education major from Rockford, Illinois. He was nominated by Professor Lynn Stafford. Professor Stafford shared that despite his rigorous course load Andrew is a stellar student. He is participating in a student-faculty research project and will be presenting his research at the Illinois Council for Exceptional Children conference in November 2015.
Prior to coming to Rockford University, Andrew attended Rock Valley College and Elmhurst College. Andrew enjoys being able to pursue his undergraduate degree in the town where he grew up. He has been able to work with his former teachers as colleagues, and help the community by working with many of its students. Andrew shared that he is very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with many individuals from this diverse city and help them both in their education and life. After graduation from RU Andrew plans to teach for at least a semester and then purse his graduate degree. Congratulations, Andrew!
Second Annual Rockford City Dance Festival October 9 and 10
10/05/2015 11:13 am
Media Contact: Rita Elliott, Director of Communications, 815-226-3374
Rockford, Ill. – The Second Annual Rockford City Dance Festival will be held Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10 at Maddox Theatre, Rockford University, 5050 East State St., Rockford. The evening will be hosted by the Rockford University Performing Arts Department and the Friends of the Performing Arts.
The dance festival was conceived last year to honor the late Jayne Poor, professor at the university and an influential member of the Rockford dance community. The evening of ballet and modern dance will bring together several Rockford dance companies, including Rockford University Orchesis, Rockford Dance Company, Bad Wolf Dance Theatre, Without Shoes Modern Dance Company and Youth Company, as well as several local independent artists.
Admission is free and open to the public. Donations to the Friends of the Performing Arts are appreciated. For more information contact Assistant Professor of Dance Amy Wright at AWright@rockford.edu. To reserve tickets, please call the Rockford University Box Office at 815.226.4100 or email BoxOffice@rockford.edu. Clark Arts Center is accessible.
Haley Taylor
09/28/2015 11:32 am
Haley is a sophomore nursing major from Roscoe, Illinois. She was nominated by Mariah Harris, Residence Hall Director. Haley currently serves as the Resident Assistant (RA) for Emerson Hall and she excels in this leadership role. Mariah shared that residents throughout the Cummings complex speak highly of Haley. Emerson Hall residents have actually posted signs expressing their gratitude for her service to them. Mariah states that “students across campus love her because she goes out of her way to go above and beyond to help everyone.”
Haley has a very busy schedule but has managed to keep a laser focus on her coursework. There have been many personal and academic challenges that she has had to deal with, but she has allowed those life experiences to motivate her to pursue her long term goals. She is appreciative of the many opportunities that RU provides for students to be successful. After graduation Haley plans to join the United States Army as a registered nurse and then later pursue her goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. Congratulations, Haley!
“Seesaw” opens October 1
09/28/2015 11:11 am
Contact – Rockford University Box Office, 815.226.4100
Rockford, Ill. – The Rockford University Performing Arts Department will open its 2015-2016 theatre season with the musical “Seesaw.” The show opens Thursday, October 1 and runs through Sunday, October 4, in Rockford University’s Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center, 5050 East State Street, Rockford.
“Seesaw” focuses on a brief affair between Jerry Ryan, a young lawyer from Nebraska, and Gittel Mosca, a kooky, streetwise dancer from the Bronx. Chair of the performing arts department, and professor of acting and directing, Deborah Mogford will direct the show. The musical was adapted from William Gibson’s play “Two for the Seesaw” by Cy Coleman, Dorothy Fields and Michael Bennett.
Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12.00 adults, $9.00 seniors and students. Group rates are available. The Clark Arts Center is accessible. For tickets and more information, call the Box Office at 815.226.4100 or email boxoffice@rockford.edu.
“Dogs not drugs: Service dogs and PTSD” presentation to be held October 20
09/28/2015 11:09 am
Media Contact: Rita Elliott, 815-226-3374
Rockford, Ill. – Rockford University will host guest speaker Lon Hodge and his service dog Gander for the presentation, “Dogs not drugs: Service dogs and PTSD”. Mr. Hodge will talk about his journey with post-traumatic stress disorder and his upcoming book “Fetch: Travels with Gander”.
Mr. Hodge served in the Army for six years in the medical corps and as an instructor at the Army’s Academy of Health Sciences. After leaving the military, he taught university classes on military bases as a literature and psychology professor. Since 1973, he has counseled and mentored fellow PTSD sufferers.
Before PTSD put a halt to his life, Mr. Hodge was a certified employee assistance professional (CEAP), hospital clinical director, National Education Association Fellow in poetry, and a professor of psychology and literature. Since acquiring Gander from Freedom Service Dogs he has returned to writing and poetry. Gander has been trained to help with PTSD, anxiety disorders and autoimmune arthritis. Together, Mr. Hodge and Gander travel the country collecting stories for “Fetch: Travels with Gander” and advocating for the use of service dogs in the treatment of PTSD among other conditions.
The presentation will be held Tuesday, October 20 at 4 p.m. in Severson Auditorium, Scarborough Hall, 5050 E. State St. and is free to attend.
Rockford University reports record enrollments for fall 2015
09/15/2015 11:07 am
Contact: Director of Communications Rita Elliott, 815-226-3374
Enrollment of full-time undergraduate students at Rockford University has reached a record high of 903 students for fall 2015, up nearly 3 percent over last year. 2015 also marks a 16 percent increase in freshman, or first-year students, with 169 new students coming to campus. The University’s total student enrollment is 1,281, and includes 1,061 undergraduate and 220 graduate students.
Vice President for Enrollment Management Eric Fulcomer, Ph.D., says, “We are very encouraged by the growth we are seeing this year, particularly with new students. Along with our strong first year enrollment is an 11 percent increase in students living on campus. The increase in our residency rates translates to a more robust campus environment and enhances our overall student experience.” Rockford University is the area’s only four-year residential campus. Dr. Fulcomer adds that the diversity of our student populations, with 24 states and 23 countries represented, further adds to a rich and dynamic campus environment. The University’s international student population has increased 61 percent from last fall with 79 students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and ESL programs.
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). 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. Named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College and as a US News & World Report Tier One Midwest Regional University,” Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,300 students throughout its diverse program offerings.
Samantha Riffle
09/14/2015 11:35 am
Samantha was nominated by Dr. Robin Miller Young. She is a senior early childhood major from originally from Rockford, Illinois who is going to get her Professional Educator License (PEL) in early childhood and early childhood special education. Additionally, she will earn an endorsement for teaching English as a second language.
Dr. Miller Young describes Samantha as an ambitious and diligent student. During her time at Rockford University Samantha has been able to successfully balance her academic endeavors with her responsibilities as a student worker in the Colman Library. She is also the Marion Carlson Seedhof Scholarship award winner from the spring 2015 semester.
One of the reasons that Samantha loves studying at Rockford University is because she appreciates the small classroom sizes and great teachers. Samantha has enjoyed getting to know her professors and her ability to interact directly with her instructors when she needs additional help with her coursework. After graduation she plans to work as an early childhood education teacher and help mold young minds as they prepare for their next several years of schooling. Congratulations, Samantha!
