Campus News

ROCKFORD, Ill. (July 23, 2024) – Rockford University, the region’s leading private four-year educational institution, will welcome a group of incoming freshmen students this Sunday, July 28, for the Rockford University’s Regents First Summer 2024 Retreat.

The retreat runs from Sunday, July 28 through Friday, Aug. 2. The event kicks off at 1 p.m. Sunday. Incoming freshmen students will arrive and check in on campus at the Burpee Student Center at 5050 E State St. in Rockford.

Check-in will be followed by a welcome session and introductions from the Rockford University Dean of Student Support Programming, Dr. Karen Walker, and other RU staff members.

“It’s a residential camp and students will live on campus,” Dr. Walker said about the program. “The purpose is to saturate them in the college experience and equip them for a successful launch into their college journey.”

Walker adds that throughout the week the retreat will cover many topics including time management for successful college students; effective communication strategies for successful college students; finding a job on campus; developing a growth mindset; and much more.

The Regents First program aims to recruit, support, and retain first-generation college students. 

The Regents First program takes what can be a challenging experience for anyone – enrolling in a four-year university – and boosts support for students who are working to become the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree. 

Individuals are paired with a peer mentor during the retreat – someone who also is a first-generation college student who can be a motivating force and help build resilience during the retreat and continuing into the first year of school. The mentors will provide weekly check-ins and study group sessions to the students.

“The mentees (incoming freshmen attending the retreat) will be able to learn about navigating through college, and time management skills,” said Mya Barrett, Regents First Mentor and incoming junior studying education at RU. “All the good nitty-gritty stuff that you need to be able to be a good, successful college student.”

The students are also paired with a designated financial aid coach, as well as a college life skills coach who will meet with them regularly throughout the academic year. Regents First participants receive a stipend to support the purchase of course materials in both semesters of their first year.

While the program is designed to ensure and increase student retention for first-generation college students at Rockford University, the ultimate goal is college completion.   

For more information or to RSVP to the event, the media can email RU Marketing/Communications at communications@rockford.edu by Friday, July 26  at 3 p.m. Media are encouraged to come out and meet the students.

Contact:

Sara Myers

RU Marketing & Communications

smyers@rockford.edu

ABOUT ROCKFORD UNIVERSITY:

Rockford University is a private four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The University offers more than 80 majors, minors, and concentrations, including the bachelor’s 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), and Master of Education in Urban 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. Named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College and a U.S. News & World Report Best Midwest Regional University, Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,250 full- and part-time students.

Rockford University is hosting its second annual Dog Days of Summer event. RU Alumni and the general public are invited to pack up their pup and join us for a walk around RU’s beautiful campus.

What: Rockford University’s Dog Days of Summer event 

When: Saturday, July 27, 2024, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Where: RU Nelson Alumni Center Parking Lot, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St, Rockford, IL, 61108

Who: Rockford University Alumni and the general public

ROCKFORD, Ill. —Rockford University’s Advancement Office will host its second annual Dog Days of Summer event on Saturday, July 27. RU Alumni and the general public are invited to bring their dog and guests for a walk around our beautiful campus. 

Attendees will check in at the Nelson Alumni Center, 5050 E. State St. in Rockford, where they can pick up some goodies, pick up a campus map, and stroll around our scenic campus.

We’re excited to announce that The Canine Crunchery, Inc. will join us as a vendor this year. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to spoil your pup with wholesome treats and delights!

All dogs must be leashed and be updated on all vaccines. Don’t have a dog? All are still welcome to join us and enjoy a walk around campus. 

 For more information: Email alumni@rockford.edu or call 815-226-4007.

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Media-related questions or interview requests can be sent to Communications@Rockford.edu. We ask the media to RSVP by emailing us by 8:30 a.m. on July 26, 2024. 

Press Contact: 

Sara Myers

Rockford University Marketing & Communications

SMyers@rockford.edu

815.394.5052

ROCKFORD, Ill. – (June 11, 2024) – Rockford University is thrilled to announce the launch of two new professional certificate programs: Women in Leadership and Customer Experience.

The Women in Leadership program will help women develop strategies and interpersonal skills for greater success. Industry experts design the program for professionals seeking expert advice, strategies, and practical tools. Students will learn how to navigate the nuances of thought leadership, barrier destruction, and organizational influence. This program serves as a platform for women to engage and uplift each other by inspiring positive change.

The Customer Experience program will teach you to make customer experience your differentiator. Students will learn the art of customer experience to drive loyalty and increase revenue. You will gain practical templates and discover best practices as you build your portfolio and strategic plan. Industry experts design the program for professionals seeking practical tools for this fast-growing discipline. 

Both programs are part of RU’s newest college: the College of Professional & Extended Learning. Both programs can be completed online in 8 weeks or less.

For more information on these two programs and to register, visit execed.rockford.edu.

Contact:

Sara Myers

Rockford University Marketing & Communications 

SMyers@rockford.edu

815.394.5052

Rockford University’s Dr. Karen Walker received the Racial Justice Award at the YWCA Leader Luncheon XLIV and 2024 Women of Achievement Awards on Monday, March 4. 

Dr. Walker is the Dean of Student Support Programming, Dean of the Center for Learning Strategies, the Coordinator for the Men of Color Mentorship Program, and the founder of Regents First.

“As the Dean of the Center for Learning Strategies at Rockford University, Dr. Walker launched the Regents First program to support first-generation college students. She consistently aligns these students with local programs and opportunities (such as Patriots Gateway and United Way) to support them and their community with their talent and skills,” said the YWCA.

“One of her favorite quotes is ‘Literacy is the tool we use as humans to find one another, so it must belong to everyone,’ from author Pam Allyn.

Believing this strongly, Dr. Walker also works with the United for Literacy movement to ensure any child, regardless of race, can read to succeed.” 

By Sara Myers, Digital Media & Communications Specialist  

Rockford native and local business owner Anisha Grimmett is very involved in the community and has become a key player in the city through the connections she has made. She sits on many boards including Keith Country Day School (where her children attend) and Rockford University’s Board.

Grimmett was asked by former President Eric Fulcomer to be on the board in 2020. She knows RU well, as it is both her brother’s and her mother’s alma mater. Her brother graduated from RU with a Business degree, and her mother graduated with a master’s in teaching degree. 

 Grimmett grew up in the Rockford area and went to Auburn High School.  

Years before her brother’s college journey, Grimmett decided to leave home and attend the University of Illinois in Champaign. She discovered more about herself that first year and began finding her independence. However, Grimmett quickly discovered Champaign was much too big of a campus for her. She transferred to Devry University in Chicago, Illinois, and finished her bachelor’s degree in engineering there. 

 Grimmett discovered her love for “figuring out how things worked” early on. 

“I was always the one taking things apart looking at the insides of things and putting things together,” she said. “Don’t give me instructions, I’ll figure it out.” It was her uncle who told her that she should be an engineer because engineers do exactly that. 

Before even attending college for engineering, Grimmett had a prestigious internship lined up at home. She received an internship at what was then called Sunstrand (now called Collins Aerospace). 

After a few summers interning “They hired me because I was going to be moving back to Rockford and driving into Chicago for school, so I was part-time,” she said. “They paid for my college, and it was a huge blessing. I would go to school in the morning and then come straight to work and work into the evenings sometimes.”

 After graduating college at Devry, Grimmett came back to Rockford where she worked at Sundstrand. There, she met her husband, they got married and had 2 kids. 

 “I was the person that wanted to leave Rockford and never come back but all the great opportunities that Rockford had for me,” she said. “It was hard to leave that. I had a job that paid well, and this was in 1997. I’m an intern making 18 bucks an hour. I was learning so much and being able to apply what I had learned in the classroom to work and vice versa.”

 Grimmett worked at Sundstrand for over 20 years. 

 During her time at the engineering giant, she had multiple opportunities. She worked in different departments like components, systems engineering, test labs, customer service, cost account management, project management, and international trade compliance. At one point in time, Grimmett was an engineering manager. 

 Around 2011, Grimmett’s husband’s position took their family to China for 3 years. Grimmett brought her two kids, their cat and dog, and all their furniture overseas. 

“That was the best experience of my life,” she said. “Especially in terms of discovering who I was as an adult and a mom and wife. I had the opportunity to stay at home with the kids, which was a true blessing. My kids went to an international school. We learned Chinese and met people from Sweden, Australia, France, Canada, Korea, Japan, Germany and South Africa. So many families were there, and we were exposed to many more cultures. Our potlucks together would just be amazing.”

 Grimmett also learned a lot more about fashion and style during her time in China. She noticed how different those in China dressed than in the U.S. She described the style as more “fashion forward, eclectic and unique.” 

 “To me, it’s the look of luxury without having a lot of money,” she said. “That is a skill in itself. It was just heaven to me to explore and create and to use the landscape and different cultures to hone in my vibe and style. And then bringing all that back here (to America).”

Grimmett came back to UTC Aerospace (now called Collins Aerospace). When she returned, her title was Executive Assistant to the President. In this position, Grimmett had a hand in UTC’s operations, marketing, human resources, talent development, and more. 

 It was in this position that she realized how much she loved working with people. 

After 20-plus years at Sundstrand, Grimmett went on to work with the Education nonprofit Alignment Rockford. 

“There are so many levels of decision-making and politics here,” she said. “I learned a lot and met a lot of great people who are now my clients today and created another level platform of public speaking.”

Grimmett added that the position helped her rediscover her passion for fashion and helping people. She had colleagues come up to her, compliment her fashion, and say how they wished they had Grimmett to go shopping for them. 

After doing some research into how to become a personal stylist, she found a personal stylist based in Los Angeles who became her mentor. Grimmett officially started her style business, “CEO of A New Look by Nisha,” in January 2022. 

Most of her clients currently are referrals and connections she has made through her network throughout the years. When working at Alignment Rockford, her network expanded and she’s been able to grow her clientele through the connections she’s made. 

 Grimmett is now working on creating a social media presence for her business to help her attract more clients in the future. 

“When I’m working with clients, it’s more of style therapy, even when going through their closets,” she said. “Because they discover things about themselves they never would have known. (For example) a client said I didn’t think I bought oversized clothes. That was 90% of my closet because I was too busy wanting to hide myself. It’s hard to achieve greatness when you’re hiding. So the problem statement is, how can I now make myself more visible so I can achieve the greatness I want?”

 If you’re interested in Grimmett’s style coaching business, you can reach out to her at anishagrimmett@outlook.com. 

By Sara Myers, Digital Media & Communications Specialist 

As part of his internship at Midway Village Museum, Rockford University student Rudy Vazquez recently helped put together an exhibit just in time for Black History Month called “Breaking Barriers: the 1950s Strike for Equality in Rockford.”

Vazquez’s internship started in September 2023, and his main task was doing research through the newspaper database at the museum.

The exhibit is about an incident in the early 1950s in Rockford. An African-American worker, Charles Wortham, was involved in a racial incident and about 600 workers walked out with the employee at the business Gunite in 1957, Vazquez said.

Employees who walked out also signed a paper with their support for Wortham. One issue at the time was that many of the newspapers that covered the story did not tell the whole truth and were owned by White men. Vazquez was able to find a Black-owned newspaper called The Rockford Crusader that told this story of solidarity between the man and his employees who walked out with him.

The exhibit in the museum is on four large panels. It shows the different elements of the story and who was involved in this walkout through photos and newspaper clippings, he said.

Vazquez will be working on another exhibit for the museum next month for Women’s History Month which will feature RU Alum Julia Lathrop and more. His internship at the museum will end in early March. 

The Black History Month exhibit at the museum was featured on  MyStateline.com on Feb. 1. 

Vazquez is very involved on campus here at RU. He is the V.P. of the Rockford Chapter of PSI CHI, and is team captain of the Esports team Rainbow 6 Siege. He will be graduating this May with a B.S. in Psychology, a B.S. in Criminal Justice, and a B.A. in History with a minor in Ancient and Medieval Studies and a minor in Religious Studies. 

He plans to continue his studies further upon graduation and will study Religion in graduate school. 

Rockford, IL – February 14, 2024 – Rockford University is excited to announce the launch of the Burpee Mural Project. This project invited all Rockford University Studio Art majors and minors to showcase their creativity and talent by submitting a design of a mural for the central location of the Burpee Center. 

The idea for the project came from Rockford University President, Patricia Lynott. The competition offered a grand prize of $1,000, sponsored by Lynott herself. Additionally, Lynott, along with Rockford University Board Chair Rebecca Epperson and Board Trustee Joel Moore, have pledged $100 each to recognize the efforts of the other five students participating in the contest. 

The theme of the mural, “Rockford University Past, Present, & Future,” challenged participants to encapsulate the institution’s rich history, vibrant present, and promising future in their designs. From the origins of Rockford Female Seminary to the aspirations for the years ahead, the mural aims to inspire the entire Rockford University community. 

“The quality and thought process each student brought to their designs were incredible,” said Rebecca Epperson, Chair, of Rockford University Board of Trustees. “It was an honor to participate as a juror in this competition. Based on the designs created, the Studio Arts students at Rockford University have very bright futures ahead.” 

Rockford University Trustee, Joel Moore added “I’m so grateful these talented students took the time to share their impressive work.  We’re excited to present their Art for everyone to appreciate and enjoy.” 

Each student was required to present their design to the jury, consisting of President Lynott, two members of the Board of Trustees, and two faculty members from the Department of Art and Art History. The presentations coincided with the Rockford University Board of Trustees meeting held on February 9th and 10th. The winning entry was created by student Angelica Ramos Ortiz. Ortiz’s submission depicts the theme in a well-captured and exciting way.  

“We’re thrilled to see the creativity and passion our students brought to this project,” said Langworthy, organizer and facilitator of the competition and Dean of the College of Arts & Humanities at Rockford University. “This mural will not only beautify the Burpee Center but also serve as a source of inspiration for generations to come.” 

 In addition to the prize money, the costs of supplies for the mural will also be covered. 

Rockford University looks forward to witnessing the artistic endeavors of its talented students and the lasting impact of the Burpee Mural Project.

Contact:

Rockford University Marketing & Communications

communications@rockford.edu

The financial aid journey for students like you – those looking to enroll in college in Fall 2024 – has been one of the most unusual in recent memory.  Changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process have introduced considerable delays and technical glitches.

Earlier this week, we learned of new delays. The U.S. Department of Education announced they are delaying the release of FAFSA information to schools until mid-March. This additional delay is due to necessary updates to the FAFSA formula that will recognize important inflationary adjustments needed for FAFSA applicant financial data. The correction will result in more students getting aid, but it will take time to fix the Student Aid Index (SAI) formula. The Department of Education is committed to ensuring students and their families receive all the aid they are entitled to receive.

The Office of Student Administrative Services at Rockford University will work on getting financial aid offers to families as quickly as possible once FAFSA information is made available to schools. 

What does this mean for you?

• If you’ve already completed the 2024-2025 FAFSA- great! FAFSA information will be shared with schools starting mid-March 2024.
• If you haven’t applied- it’s not too late! Applying early allows you the best opportunity to be considered for the most types of financial aid possible. Rockford University’s school code is 001748.

What are some steps you can take in the meantime?

• Let us know when you filed the FAFSA (it will let us get a jump start on your financial aid offer when the FAFSAs start arriving)
• Use our Student Calculator at https://www.rockford.edu/admission/financialaid/. This will allow you to estimate what financial aid you may qualify for, and therefore what you and your family may be responsible for, out of pocket.
• Stay Connected! Your Admissions counselor is here to help, every step of the way! Got questions? Just ask! If you would like to schedule another campus visit please reach out. We would love to host you!

Rockford University understands that the cost of education is a significant consideration for students and their families. We know this delay is frustrating in your decision-making process. If you have any questions please contact your admission counselor.

By Sara Myers, Digital Media & Communications Specialist

Learning about an institution’s history often requires research. To make Rockford University’s history more engaging without reading a book or two, RU’s Performing Arts professor Deborah Mogford decided to produce a dramatization on its most famous class, just in time for one of the University’s busiest weekends. 

During homecoming weekend, Oct. 13, 2023, Rockford University’s Performing Arts department performed Mogford’s production, “The Addams Thread,” focusing on the university’s most well-known classes.

“It’s lovely to read a novel, I’m a big reader, but people remember stories they see visually,” Mogford said. “That’s the beauty of drama.”

Mogford wrote and directed the play as a dedication to the “Glorious Seventeen,” the seventeen women who graduated from Rockford Female Seminary in 1881, which includes notable Alumni Jane Addams, a Nobel Peace Prize Winner and the founder of Chicago’s Hull House. Mogford added that she also dedicates this play to all RU alumni. 

“Graduates of this university can attest to RU’s dedication to advancing knowledge for the students while fostering life-long intellectual curiosity,” Mogford said in the director’s note in the production’s program. “They can also speak to the school’s commitment to instilling in the student population a desire to seek a life of purpose, service, and leadership to the community they choose to inhabit.”

To create this production, Mogford said she researched Jane Addams’s valedictorian speech where she discovered Addams’s nickname for her graduating class. This led Mogford to create a show that touched on how the “Glorious Seventeen” were always bonded and how Jane attending Rockford had the impact it did.

“I got to thinking that’s lovely and it’s 1893, four lovely women, all white,” Mogford said. “The school doesn’t look like that anymore. So, what is that legacy, and how does it look in 2023? So, I thought, I’ll then jump ahead 100 years.”

The play is split into two scenes at different times and places.

Scene I is set in the summertime in 1893 at Rockford College alumna Mrs. Jonathan McKnight or Aunt Katherine’s house. There, Aunt Katherine is joined by her niece Arabella Amato, her niece’s friend Cora Edwards, and her good friend and classmate from Rockford, Martha Gail. The scene is placed 12 years after graduation and four years after the Addams formed Hull House. 

The second scene is set in the Spring of 2023 at Maddox Theatre, where five students are talking about going for a coffee run together when they run into a potential RU student.

“I want to be able to have this piece ready to go at any time,” Mogford said. “So, as students graduate then that part goes to someone else. It’s a piece that’s always ready to go whenever the school needs it for recruitment or historical reference.”

After taking the summer of 2023 to write the play, Mogford was ready in August for prep. Mogford put together the cast and crew and held a complete read-through of the production. She would meet periodically with the groups from both scenes. She added that the cast would rehearse on and off but the final push came 10 days before the show went on. 

“I hope they bring it back for Charter Day or orientation,” she said. “And, when we have groups on campus who are looking at the school we can also do it then if we have plenty of notice.”

THE ADDAMS THREAD 

Performed Oct. 13, 2023 

Written and Directed by Deborah Mogford

Lighting Designer: Eric Brockmeier

Costume Designer: Ryan Moller

Stage Manager: Jeremy Rogers

Technical Director: Beth Drog

SCENE I

TIME: Mid-June on a perfect summer afternoon, 1883

Place: The lush garden of Aunt Catherine’s House on Harlem Blvd. in Rockford, IL

CAST, in order of appearance

Martha Gail: Aubry Musfelt

Arabella (Bella) Amato: Lindsay Johnson

Aunt Catherine (Mrs. Jonathan McKnight): Emmarie Wilson

Cora Edwards (Mrs. George Edwards): Lucy Parlapiano

SCENE II

TIME: Late April on a perfect spring day, 2023

Place: Maddox Theatre

CAST, in order of appearance

Marie: Adara Barrera Medina

Jake: Robbie Strader

James: Carter Coryell

Allison: Keira Alejandro

Samantha: Kaleigh Ferguson

Will: Elijah Lowry

By Sara Myers, Digital Media & Communications Specialist 

Rockford University kicked off its 2023 Homecoming week earlier this week. Expect jampacked events for students, staff, faculty, and alumni from now until Saturday!

Rockford University is transforming into a time machine, taking you on a journey through the decades with the theme “The RU Times: Rockford University Throughout the Years.”

Each day of the week is dedicated to a different decade, and it’s not just a theme; it’s a full-on dress-up party! Monday is all about the funky 1970s, Tuesday takes us back to the neon-filled 1980s, Wednesday embraces the grunge and flannel of the 1990s, Thursday throws it back to the early 2000s, and Friday brings us into the 2010s. So, dust off your bell bottoms, leg warmers, flannel shirts, and skinny jeans, and prepare to turn back time.

Don’t forget to grab your exclusive Homecoming 2023 shirts, designed by our very own RU student, Rayan Alharbi, available for just $10 at Reggie’s Corner, located on the first floor of Burpee in the Den. Show your RU pride in style!

But that’s not all. Homecoming week is jam-packed with exciting events for students, staff, faculty, and alumni alike. Let’s break it down day by day:

Wednesday, October 11

• Men’s Soccer Game: Watch the RU Men’s Soccer team take on the Milwaukee School of Engineering at 2 p.m. at 8800 East Riverside Blvd. in Loves Park (Mercyhealth Sportscore Two).
• Roller Rave: CAB presents the Roller Rave in Regents Hall from 7 to 9 p.m. It’s time to roller skate and dance the night away.

Thursday, October 12

• Paint the Paws: At noon, join CAB for the “Paint the Paws” event where students will gather at the main entrance of the campus to paint lion paws. (Update: This event has unfortunately been canceled.)
• Women’s Volleyball Game: Don’t miss the Women’s Volleyball team’s second game of the week at 7 p.m. as they face off against Benedictine University at the Seaver.

Friday, October 13

• Art Gallery in Clark Arts: The RU Art Gallery will be open all day, featuring “Long Time No See” (Exhibit A) by Esau McGhee, a 10-year retrospective exhibition exploring McGhee’s career.
• Golden Grads Lunch: The Class of 1973 celebrates its 50th anniversary with a Golden Grads lunch in Regents Hall at noon.
• The Addams Thread: At 1:30 p.m. in Maddox Theatre, witness a play dedicated to RU’s most notable alumna, Jane Addams, called “The Addams Thread,” written and directed by Prof. Deborah Mogford.
• Alumni & Awards Hall of Fame Dinner: The Alumni & Awards Hall of Fame Dinner will be held at 6 p.m. in Regents Hall.
• Hypnotist and Mentalist Show: Get ready to be amazed at 7 p.m. in Scar Auditorium as hypnotist and mentalist Christopher Carter takes the stage.

Saturday, October 14

• Esports Information Event: Learn all about Esports at RU at 10 a.m. in the Esports Lounge in the Burpee Den.
• Homecoming Tailgate: From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., join the Homecoming Tailgate in Parking Lot A before the Homecoming Football game. Enjoy food, music, drinks, and games!
• Women’s Soccer Team Game: At 11 a.m., catch the Women’s Soccer Team as they take on Alverno College at Sportscore Two in Loves Park.
• Homecoming Football Game: The Homecoming Football game kicks off at 1 p.m. at Sam Greeley Field, with the Regents facing off against the Benedictine University Eagles.
• RU Performing Arts Cabaret: At 4 p.m. and 10 p.m., RU Performing Arts presents “All Around the World and Back Again: A Travel-Themed Cabaret” at the Cheek Theatre in Clark Arts Center.
• Club Kent Dance: The students-only Club Kent Dance starts at 10 p.m. in Kent Hall, so come dressed in style from one of the decades.

Don’t miss out on the excitement and nostalgia of Rockford University’s Homecoming 2023. 

Follow RU on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to stay updated on all the latest Homecoming news. It’s going to be a week filled with fun, laughter, and memories that will last a lifetime. Get ready to rock through time!