Contemporary Cuban Life topic of lecture to be given Friday April 10
04/08/2015 11:28 am
Rockford, Ill., – The Office of Global Affairs at Rockford University will be hosting Dr. Araceli Alonso and Sergio Esnard as part of a lecture on contemporary Cuban life this Friday, April 10. Dr. Alonso and Mr. Esnard will each discuss their personal experiences living in Cuba. The lecture will be held at 2 p.m. in Fisher Memorial Chapel on the Rockford University campus, 5050 E. State St. Rockford. The event is free and open to the public.
Dr. Alonso will talk about her research in Cuba, as well as her book, “Out of Havana”. The book focuses on daily life in Cuba during the last half century, including an in depth look at the 1959 Revolution and subsequent decades. Dr. Alonso’s research and outreach focuses on women’s health in the developing world. She is the recipient of numerous awards and grants in recognition of her work and was a leader in the implementation of a summer health camp for women and adolescent girls in rural Kenya.
Sergio Esnard was born in Matanzas, Cuba in 1950. With the help of a young Catholic priest named Bryan Walsh, Mr. Esnard was one of 14,048 children that fled Cuba as part of the “Pedro Pan” movement between December 1960 and October 1962. Many of the children that fled were sent to orphanages and foster homes in the United State. Mr. Esnard will be talking about his experiences in Cuba, life after he fled and the experiences of his family.
Faculty art exhibit to run April 10 to May 1
04/08/2015 11:27 am
Rockford, Ill. – The Rockford University Art Gallery will feature pieces created by faculty members during an exhibit set to open Friday, April 10 at the Rockford University Art Gallery. Faculty members featured in the exhibit include Philip Soosloff, Dave Menard, Chris Sisson, and Danielle Barton. The exhibit is being sponsored by Lon and Richard Behr.
A reception will be held Friday, April 17 from 6 – 8 p.m., with gallery talks from each of the artists beginning at 6:30 p.m. The exhibit will close May 1. The Rockford University Art Gallery is located in the Clark Arts Center at 5050 East State Street, Rockford. Gallery Hours are Tuesday – Thursday, 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 list of spring 2015 Art Gallery exhibits visit: https://www.rockford.edu/artslectures/artgallery/
*Featured Image: From A Distance 2014 29″H x 52″W x 17″D Mixed Media Wall Construction by Philip Soosloff
Social entrepreneurship focus of 7th annual Business Luncheon
04/03/2015 11:25 am
Rockford, Ill., – The Rockford University Department of Economics, Business and Accounting will host a luncheon and program on Tuesday, May 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Regents Hall, Burpee Center, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford. Guest speaker Melissa Paulsen, Assistant Director, Gigot Center for Entrepreneurship, Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame will present “The Power of the Triple Bottom Line to Bolster Communities.” Cost is $45 for individual registration, $350 table for a table of eight. Reservations are requested by Tuesday, April 28, 2015. For more information, contact Jennifer Smith at 815.394.4384 or jsmith@rockford.edu.
Paulsen’s presentation will focus on social entrepreneurship which she describes as an increasingly-important and powerful tool for social services, government, and business communities alike. The public, particularly the millennial generation, is demanding greater transparency from these varied economic actors, as well as social, environmental and financial sustainability. While this is an exciting time for social innovators building out new and creative social business models, the problems are complex and the solutions varied. Paulsen will highlight examples of successful social entrepreneurs and enterprises, and provide criteria for social services, government, and the business community to consider – whether creating, investing in, or evaluating the impact of a social enterprise model.
About the Speaker:
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Melissa Paulsen serves as director for the Gigot Center for Entrepreneurship’s social entrepreneurship program and is a concurrent instructor in the undergraduate and graduate programs. Paulsen was instrumental in design and implementation of the Gigot Center’s unique undergraduate offering, the Microventuring Certificate Program. The program incorporates microenterprise development and microfinance theory along with practical skills and tools in a domestic and developing country technical assistance setting. Her white paper detailing the program’s learning objectives, methodology and stakeholder impact has been presented at several conferences and was published in The Journal of College and Character in November 2012. Recent courses taught by Paulsen include Social Entrepreneurship, Microventure Consulting, and Entrepreneurship in Developing Countries; she also leads numerous workshops involving social and traditional entrepreneurship. Paulsen manages experiential and service-learning programs in South Africa, Haiti, Kenya, Uganda and Guatemala, among others. She has experience in business model development, nonprofit strategy, operations and consulting. She holds a master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration from the Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame, and a BA in English and philosophy from Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts. |
Rockford University event calendar listing: The Power of the Triple Bottom Line to Bolster Communities
Spanish Club students open exchange with local high school class
03/30/2015 11:17 am
Members of the Rockford University Spanish Club recently met Ms. Lemonholm’s Spanish for native speakers class at East High School in Rockford to discuss college life and how the high school students could continue their Spanish studies in college. The RU students shared their experiences in the classroom from studying literature and culture in Spanish, as well their study-abroad experiences. Professor John Burns shares the opportunity was well recieved by RU and East students alike, adding that the high school will likely come sit in on a session of his contemporary Chilean literature class being offered this semester.
Photo: from left to right, Rockford University students Andrés Guerrero, Francisco Orenday, Monica Parsons, José Álvarez, Julio Zepeda along with John Burns, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Religion; Global Faculty Fellow; Assistant Professor of Spanish Rockford University, sit in on a East High School Spanish class.
International Food Festival features cuisine and culture from around the world
03/30/2015 11:15 am
Rockford, Ill., — International students at Rockford University will prepare a wide variety of international dishes for the University’s
10th annual International Food Festival, Saturday, April 18 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, Spain, Kyrgyzstan, Japan, China, Sweden, Turkey, Syria, Laos, S. Korea, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Liberia, Mexico and Nigeria. Members from the Multicultural Club will prepare foods so that visitors can taste home cooked meals from their countries. International entertainment is also planned so that guests can enjoy traditional song and dance while they eat. Rockford University is currently home to more than 60 international students representing 22 countries.
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.
Career and internship fair to be held March 25
03/24/2015 11:13 am
Rockford, Ill., — Rockford University and Rock Valley College will host a career and internship fair on Wednesday, March 25 from 1-4 p.m. The fair will be held in Regents Hall, Burpee Center, Rockford University, 5050 East State Street, 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.rockford.edu/community/careerservices/fair/. 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 career services at Rockford University by calling 815-226-4013 or e-mailing careersv@rockford.edu.
‘New Beginnings’ dance concert features new University dance company along with guests from Rockford Dance Company
03/24/2015 11:03 am
Rockford, Ill. – The Rockford University Performing Arts Department will present New Beginnings, Thursday March 26 – Saturday March 28. The dance concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. each night in Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center, on the Rockford University campus, 5050 East State Street. The Clark Arts Center is accessible.
‘New Beginnings’ is the first concert to feature the new University dance company Orchesis, under the direction of Assistant Professor of Dance Amy A. Wright. Orchesis was originally founded by the late Jayne Poor, who is remembered for her passionate dedication to dance as an artist and educator at Rockford College and in the Rockford community. Orchesis dancers have once again found a home on the Maddox stage, performing new works by Wright and guest artist Shelton Kay’77.
The concert will include Kay’s work Waters of March, which premiered last October, as well as a new duet set to the music of the Beatles. Wright will present five new works, ranging from big band jazz to romantic ballet, athletic and arresting modern dance to fast, percussive tap. Rounding out this exciting evening of dance, guests from the Rockford Dance Company, under the artistic direction of Wayland Anderson, will perform Everything Must Change, an intensely moving contemporary work by choreographer Tracy Vogt.
Admission to New Beginnings is free. For more information or to reserve tickets, please call the Box Office at 815.226.4100 or email BoxOffice@rockford.edu. “New Beginnings” is sponsored by BMO Harris Bank.
RU Sponsors MELTFEST 2015
03/17/2015 11:03 am
Event Contact: Brian Huels, 815.978.4228
Rockford, Ill., – The 2nd annual MELTFEST takes place on Saturday, March 21, 2015, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., at the Prairie Street Brewhouse, 200 Prairie Street, Rockford, 61107. The family friendly festival is free and includes a wide range of activities for attendees to enjoy including:
– Live Musical Performances by Four Different Bands
The Defeated Royals
The Lone Canary
Reed & Waddy
Starlite Radio
– 40+ Food and Merchandise Vendors
– Complimentary Ice Skating and Skate Rental @ Riverview Ice House
– Complimentary Trolley Rides
– 5K Run/Walk (taking participants through five historic districts of Rockford) [small fee]
– Kid Fun Run (free of charge to kids twelve and under)
– Group Bike Ride (lead by Team Fur Bandit)
– Kid’s Activities provided by: Boylan High School, Discovery Center, Rockford Park District, Nicholas Conservatory, Rockford Fire Department, Rockford Public Schools, Rockford University, Tricocci University.
– Magician, Balloon Artists, Clown, Princess Performances and More
– Mascot Appearances from Hammy the Hog, Rocko the Aviator, Arvee the Golden Eagle, Nelson the Sock Monkey, Hubert the Lion, and Rockford University’s Reggie the Regent.
For more information or to register in advance for the 5K (small fee), Group Bike Ride, or Kids Fun Run please visit www.meltfest.com.
Several Rockford University employees are part of the event’s planning committee along with the RU Business Club and Sports Management classes who have helped to promote and organize the event.
Proceeds from the 2015 event will benefit local charity – Jeremiah Development
For more information contact Brian via email at info@meltfest.com or (815) 978-4228.
RU Global Affairs Council hosts global panel discussion moderated by Don Manzullo
03/12/2015 11:00 am
Event Contact: Sam Bandy, Director of Global Affairs, 815.226.4138
ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL UPHEAVAL IN ASIA: SHIFTING ALLIANCES AND IMPACT ON AMERICA
Hosted by the
Rockford University Global Affairs Council
Date/Time: Saturday, March 28, 2015, 2 – 3:30 PM
Panel Presentation/Discussion: Free and Open to Public
Location: Fisher Chapel, Rockford University
5050 East State Street, Rockford, Ill.
Please RSVP at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SWZSW8N
Rockford University, in conjunction with Korea Economic Institute of America and Rockford Area Economic Development Council presents an exciting and informative panel of speakers discussing economic, social, and political challenges in Russia, Korea, Japan and China and the impact on America. Is Russia trying to restore its influence? What is the cause and effect of China’s lowest growth in 25 years? Can the Japanese get their economy restarted? Are there changing alliances among Russia and China; South Korea and China; North Korea and Russia, Japan and China? Has the US “Asian Shift” worked?
PANEL PARTICIPANTS
Park Jin, Ph.D., former Member of Korean National Assembly and Chairman of Committee on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Unification; Executive President of Asia Future Institute; Woodrow Wilson Center Global Fellow; President, Asia Vision Forum; Distinguished Visitor for Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs; chair professor, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies graduate School of International and Area Studies.
Gil Rozman, Ph.D., faculty, East Asia Studies Department, and Musgrave Professor of Sociology, Princeton University; Sr. Fellow, Foreign Policy Research Institute; Editor in Chief, The Asan Institute Forum; Korea Economic Institute of America facilitator for Academic Symposium at Association for Asian Studies Program; author of numerous works on Russia, China, Japan, Korea.
Roxana Idu, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Economics in the Economics, Business, and Accounting Department at Rockford University. Dr. Idu teaches International Economics, International Studies, and Economic Growth and Development. Her research focuses on international migration and economic development.
Moderated by the Honorable Donald Manzullo, US House of Representatives 1993-2013, Chairman of Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific; President and CEO, Korea Economic Institute of America.
The Rockford University Global Affairs Council’s purpose is to foster a fundamental knowledge of world affairs for the people of Northern Illinois and the Wisconsin State Line communities by offering a space in which world matters can be discussed from multiple perspectives to improve and deepen their understanding of global matters.
Israeli and Palestinian Youth Musicians of Heartbeat arrive in Rockford to end Violence and Promote Equality
03/09/2015 10:59 am
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Contact: Aaron Shneyer 1.202.681.5070 | press@heartbeat.fm
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Rita Elliott, 815.226.3374 Rockford University
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Rockford, Ill., – Heartbeat, the Israeli-Palestinian youth music community, will launch their fourth US tour on February 21, 2015 to promote equality, empathy, and nonviolent action. The ensemble of accomplished Arab and Jewish youth artists (ages 18-24) will perform a free community concert hosted and sponsored by Rockford University on Saturday, March 14 at 7 pm. The performance will feature special performances by Keith Country Day School, Rockford Lutheran School, The Lone Canary, and The Last Wordbender and take place in Maddox Theatre, located in the Clark Arts Center, 5050 East State Street, Rockford. Clark Arts is accessible.
As war grips the Middle East and inequalities across racial and economic lines plague every community on earth, the young musicians of Heartbeat take the stage in Rockford with their dynamic blend of Eastern and Arabic music, Western rock, hip hop, jazz and reggae that challenges the segregation, inequalities and racism that fuels violent conflict around the world. This concert is a part of Heartbeat’s fourth US tour which aims to amplify the voices of the silent majority of peace-seeking Palestinians, Israelis, and Americans to advance dignity and freedom for all people.
Based in Jerusalem, Heartbeat is an international nonprofit organization uniting musicians, educators, and students to build mutual understanding and transform conflict through the power of music. Founded in 2007 under a Fulbright-MTVu award, Heartbeat unites Israeli and Palestinian youth musicians to build critical understanding, develop creative nonviolent tools for social change, and amplify their voices to influence the world around them. Engaging in an ongoing music-based dialogue process, Heartbeat youth develop creative skills to express themselves and become agents for change; partnering to build a safe, equitable future.
At each event, Heartbeat musicians will also share their experiences of growing up amidst the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting their creative effort to build a better future as members of Heartbeat. Each concert offers a unique window into the lives of these courageous young artists and will forge lasting connections between communities in the US and the Middle East.
Heartbeat’s youth led effort challenges the tidal wave of separation, fear, violence, and injustice with powerful sounds and voices calling for cooperation, equality, and peace. The Heartbeat message inspires people of all backgrounds to work together to be the change we seek.
The event is co-sponsored by: Rock River Valley Peace Coalition, Jewish Federation of Greater Rockford, Muslim Association of Greater Rockford, YMCA of Rock River Valley, Rockford Lutheran, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Turkish American Society of Rockford, Rydell Family Foundation, United at Peace, Rockford Area Arts Council, Jim & Pam Keeling, Sunil Puri, Doug & Mary Perks, John & Barbara Holmstrom, Lois Lutz, Karen Bieschke, Wray & Sue Howard, Gary Schlehuber & Nancy Harvey, Mike Schablaske.
