February 25, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Dining Hall

Join us as Rockford University proudly celebrates its 179th Charter Day with cake and community in the Dining Hall on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This year’s celebration will replace our traditional Charter Day Convocation Ceremony, offering a relaxed and welcoming opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to come together and honor our shared history.

Charter Day marks a defining moment in our story. On February 25, 1847, the Illinois legislature signed the charter establishing Rockford Female Seminary, the institution that would evolve into Rockford College and, in 2013, Rockford University. From its founding, Rockford was a pioneer in higher education—created at a time when advanced education for women was rare and often discouraged.

Founded as the sister institution to Beloit College, Rockford Female Seminary was committed to providing women an education equal in rigor to that of men’s colleges. Under the leadership of its first principal, Anna Peck Sill, the seminary opened its doors in 1849 and quickly became known for its academic excellence and forward-thinking mission. Over time, the institution expanded its curriculum, became coeducational in the mid-20th century, and continued to adapt to meet the needs of new generations of learners.

Today, nearly two centuries later, Charter Day remains a time to reflect on Rockford University’s enduring legacy of access, innovation, and academic excellence, and to celebrate the people who continue to shape its future.

We invite you to stop by, enjoy a slice of cake, and help us celebrate 179 years of Rockford University—honoring our past and looking ahead together.