Campus News

Rockford University President Eric W. Fulcomer, Ph.D., announces the appointment of Michael A. Perry, Ph.D., as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective immediately. Dr. Perry has served as interim provost and vice president since August 2018.

In this role, Dr. Perry is responsible for the integrity and implementation of all academic priorities for the University. Dr. Perry will also work closely with the University’s three college deans, department heads, faculty, and staff to ensure that the University’s educational programs align with the institutional mission and strategic priorities and are delivered with the highest possible quality.

Dr. Perry states, “I am excited to have the distinct honor to not only build upon the work done by my predecessors but also to continue work on initiatives started while serving as interim. I have been part of Rockford University for more than a decade, and I continue to be amazed at the good, hard work done by students, faculty, and staff. Moreover, I have grown to love Rockford and the greater Rockford area. I see the limitless possibilities and potential for the University as we seek more innovative and concrete ways to partner with our community and move forward together. We do this while at once honoring the legacy of alumna Jane Addams, as well as recognizing and supporting the talent and energy of our youth who are growing up in our region today.”

President Fulcomer adds, “It is clear to me that Michael has garnered much support over his decade-plus of service to Rockford University from faculty and staff, and the students to whom he is so dedicated. I appreciate the significant body of work he has undertaken as Interim Provost, including overseeing the restructuring of the Center for Learning strategies as well as laying the groundwork for a comprehensive academic assessment plan. Mike has similarly demonstrated valuable leadership in his work with the Executive Council. I look forward to having him continue to lead academic affairs as we implement the strategic plan and move Rockford University forward.”

Perry began his tenure at Rockford University in 2008 upon completing his Ph.D. at Arizona State University. He previously served as an Associate Professor of English; Chair of the English Department; Dean, College of Arts & Humanities; and as the NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative before beginning his appointment as Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs in the fall of 2018. His interests in teaching and research include African American literature, popular culture, and creative writing. He spearheaded an annual “Read Aloud of Black American Voices” in honor of Black History Month. Michael regularly presents at the Popular Culture and American Culture Association National Conference. In addition to presenting in areas as wide-ranging as black culture, horror, and rhetoric, he also chaired a panel of three Rockford University undergraduate students who presented work that stemmed from his class in graphic novels and the literary tradition.

Before obtaining his doctorate of philosophy in English from Arizona State, where he also taught as a teaching associate for five years, Perry taught for two years in the Minnesota community college system in a variety of settings, including the prison system. Michael obtained his master of arts in English from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., and his bachelor of arts in English with minors in math and classics from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. Perry lives in Loves Park with his wife, Karen, who is a registered nurse, and three children: Caleb, Julian, and Zoey.

Rockford University senior Tracy Wang (Jiangsu, China) has been named as a 2018 Lincoln Laureate by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. Each year, the annual Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Ceremony recognizes excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities by seniors from each of the state’s four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities, and one student from the community colleges in Illinois. This year’s ceremony took place Saturday, November 17, in Springfield. President Eric Fulcomer, Ph.D. accompanied Wang for the ceremony.

Tracy attended Pine City High School in Pine City, Minn., and will graduate from Rockford University in 2019 with a major in Political Science and a minor in Math. After completing her degree, she plans to attend law school to achieve her professional goals.  

When asked about this opportunity Tracy stated, “It is a great honor to be selected as Rockford University’s Lincoln Laureate. I feel very thankful that the institution has recognized all of my achievements. Four years ago I had the decision where to go to college, and I can proudly say that every day I am glad that I chose a university that values its students above all else, has supported me both in and out of the classroom, provided mentoring for my future career, and taught me lessons that have broadened my perspectives.”

Tracy has participated in the Washington Semester Program for Justice and Law at American University. She is currently serving as the President of the Rockford University Student Government Association. She has been named to both the Dean’s and Distinguished Scholar list. In addition to her work in Campus Activities and Student Government, Tracy has served as an Orientation Leader for Rockford University’s new student programs for the past two years, and through this has inspired new students to look for opportunities to become involved and encouraged them to consider serving as student leaders. As an active student leader, she has been a member of the Rockford University Facility Committee, the Multicultural Club, and the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. She is also currently serving as the student representative to the University’s Board of Trustees.  

Rockford University welcomes noted scholar and Professor Annie Storr, Ph.D., on Monday, October 29, 7 p.m., in the Fisher Memorial Chapel located on Rockford University’s Campus. The lecture is part of the University’s Fall Forum Series. Dr. Storr will present “Rockford’s Daughter: Reintegrating the life of Ellen Gates Starr as a social reformer, artist, activist, and religious seeker.”  Dr. Storr provides unique insight into the backstory and resulting in significant impact of this Rockford Seminary alumnae.

According to Dr. Storr, Ellen Gates Starr (1859-1940) may be one of America’s most important under-studied figures of the early 20th Century. Side by side with her lifelong friend, fellow Rockford alumna and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Jane Addams (1860-1935), she co-founded Chicago’s famous Hull-House. Part of this story is Starr’s role as an articulate conveyor of ideas, both directions, between the Progressive Midwest and the Britain of the Suffrage Movement, the Arts and Crafts Movement, the Social Gospel and Modern literary circles. The research and historical study of Ellen Gates Starr and Jane Addams continues to be one of Dr. Storr’s two long-term projects.

Dr. Annie Storr is a Resident Scholar at Brandeis University’s Women’s Research Study Center. She teaches both art history and education at Montserrat College of Art, having devoted her career to exploring the intersection of the two disciplines.

This event is free and the public is welcome to attend. Tickets are required and seating is limited. To reserve tickets, contact the Box Office at boxoffice@rockford.edu. The complete Fall 2018 Forum Series is available on the University’s website at www.rockford.edu/artslectures/forum/.

ROCKFORD, Ill., – Rockford University President Eric W. Fulcomer, Ph.D., announces the appointment of Randy Worden, D.Min., as Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students. Dr. Worden is an experienced administrator with an extensive background in overseeing all areas of student life. He will have direct responsibility for the assistant dean of students, residence life, career services, Title IX, student activities and the health, wellness, and counseling center at the University.  

Most recently, Dr. Worden served as vice president and dean of student life at Fresno Pacific University since 2008 and has more than 25 years of professional student development experience. He has also served at Northwest Christian University, Houston Baptist University, California Baptist University and Azusa Pacific University. During his career, Dr. Worden  has spent time as a career counselor, campus pastor, director of residence life and in other senior administrative roles related to student development and leadership. He has a bachelor’s degree in Christian Education from Seattle Pacific University, a master’s in education in student development from Azusa Pacific University and his doctorate of ministry in leadership from George Fox University.

President Fulcomer notes, “I’m excited to welcome Dr. Worden to our campus and to the community. While formal learning takes place in the classroom, providing students with the comprehensive support they need throughout the many other areas of their college experiences is critically important to their overall success, both academically and socially. Dr. Worden is a proven and dedicated student advocate who understands the complexity of building and fostering an inclusive and vibrant student experience. He will be a valuable asset to our leadership team and most importantly to our students.”

Dr. Worden adds, “Change is all around us, particularly in how colleges and universities embrace the diverse needs of our youth entering into higher education. I see students as having their best chance at success and being most likely to become their best selves when they know they are cared for, are able to realize their talents and abilities amidst a nurturing and engaging community, and when they have meaningful relationships that are both supporting and challenging. When we meet students, they are frequently in the midst of determining what will be most important to them and deciding how they will spend their time. Students are making decisions and creating memories that last a lifetime. As I met Rockford students, it was clear how much the school meant to them and what a transformative place it was. I couldn’t help but want to be a part of what they were experiencing.”

A search committee vetted more than 45 applicants received from a national search before eventually narrowing their options down to three finalists. Campus visits for all candidates were conducted in late April. Worden will be relocating from California and assume his duties at Rockford University by July 1, 2018, which is the start of the 2018-2019 academic year.

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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), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Education (M.Ed.). 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 and is ranked as a Best Regional University – Midwest Tier One by US News & World Report and was named by the Princeton Review as a Best in the Midwest institution. The University currently serves approximately 1,260 full-and part-time students.

Rockford University has been recognized by the American Advertising Federation of Northern Illinois with seven 2018 American Advertising (ADDY) Awards for advertising creative excellence. The AAF Northern Illinois is the ad industry trade association serving advertising creatives, public relations, marketing, and other communications industry professionals in Rockford and Northern Illinois and
represents the Northern Illinois Chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF). Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AAF is the oldest advertising trade association representing over 40,000 professionals in the advertising industry in a national network of more than 200 ad clubs in communities across the country.

Rockford University’s Institutional Advancement division submitted a collection of collateral materials into this year’s competition. The assortment of entries included six different categories, and all six submissions were selected by the panel of judges to receive an ADDY. In addition, Colorwave Graphics, submitted an entry highlighting work done in partnership with the University for the newly renovated Starr Science Center, which also received an award. 

On March 9, 2018, AAF Northern Illinois held its annual awards presentation and presented Rockford University with the following seven awards:

• Gold ADDY, Out-of-Home Poster Campaign—Fall 2017 Forum Series
• Silver ADDY, Special Event Material, Card,Invitation Campaign: Gala 2017 Relevé: A RisingUp
• Silver ADDY, Out-of-Home Site Campaign—Rock Solid Banners (campus pole banners)
• Silver ADDY, Out-of-Home Site Interior—Starr Science Acrylic Hexagon Wall Display (submitted by Colorwave Graphics)
• Bronze ADDY, Printed Newsletter—Catalyst Winter 2017 and Summer 2017 issues
• Bronze ADDY, Brochure—Rock Solid Transfer (Admissions) Brochure
• Bronze ADDY, Outdoor Board—Rock Solid Billboard (Belvidere Tollway Oasis on I-90)

Entries were judged based upon creativity, originality, and creative strategy; all work entered into the competition must have first appeared between January 1 and December 31, 2017.

To view Rockford University’s award-winning entries, please visit the University’s Issuu page.  For more information about the ADDYs, the AAF Northern Illinois, and to see the full list of  award winners, please visit http://www.niadfed.org/aaf-northern-illinois-presents-the-2018-addywinners/.

“I felt like I mattered on this university’s campus. Everyone here feels like they have a place” – RU student Cris Newton, who is entering his senior year this fall, shares more about his his decision to come to Rockford and his experiences in the article “Rockford University offers ‘Rock Solid’ opportunities to help students succeed .” This story, along with nine others, are part of  the Sunday, Aug. 13 edition of the Rockford Register Star, which featured a special standalone section celebrating Rockford University’s 170th year. 

The comprehensive look at Rockford University’s past, present and future on rrstar.com also includes: (Please note that non-subscribers are able to read a limited number of articles. View PDF version here.)

• Rockford University’s history laid the groundwork for its success in the future
• Photos: Rockford University celebrates 170 years
• Timeline: Rockford University since the beginning
• Rockford University upholds ideals of its most prolific graduate Jane Addams
• Presidents, faculty shape institution’s reputation
• Rockford University noted commencement speakers
• Strategic plan gives Rockford University momentum for the future
• Rockford University bolsters international program with students, faculty from around the globe
• Notable graduates share how Rockford University affected their career goals, lives

See the PDF version of the special insert here.