Campus News

MEDIA ADVISORY

For April 19, 2024

ROCKFORD, Ill. — Rockford University’s Performing Arts department (RUPA), in partnership with the Friends of the Performing Arts, will host “A Celebration of 41 Years of Costume Design,” on April 28 to raise funds for the department’s trip overseas to perform at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Rockford University received one of the seven invitations extended to colleges and universities to perform at the festival.  The department received their first invitation to the festival in 2016.

While traveling abroad, RUPA students will perform on a world stage, representing not only Rockford University, but the City of Rockford, the State of Illinois, and the United States. Please join us in supporting the RUPA students as they embark on this incredible journey.

The Costume Design fashion show will be held Sunday, April 28 from 2 to 5 p.m. in Maddox Theatre in Clark Arts Center on Rockford University’s campus, located at 5050 E. State St. in Rockford.

The fundraising event will highlight the designs of retired RU Professor/Costume Designer Jeff Hendry. Master of Ceremonies Mike Garrigan (Evening Anchor of 23 WIFR) will walk through each design as models from all areas of the community, including the City of Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, State Senator Steve Stadelman, and State Representative Dave Vella, strut their stuff!

The show will also include performances from the Groove Hotel Trio and words of support from State Representative Maurice West.

Tickets are on sale now for $30.00 and may be purchased by visiting rockford.edu/alumni/friends-of-the-performing-arts.

Media are invited to come and attend the show, and shoot b-roll. They may arrive early at 1:30 p.m. to interview university staff involved in the event. 

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Please RSVP to Sara Myers at SMyers@rockford.edu by April 26 at 4 p.m. to confirm your attendance.

Contact:

Sara Myers

Rockford University Marketing & Communications 

SMyers@rockford.edu

815.394.5052

For Immediate Release: 

April 18, 2024

Students from Galapagos Charter School and Marshall Middle School will engage in interactive workshops and more with the assistance of RU students. Area High School students and employers will see RU STEM Students’ research posters and interactive demonstrations. 

What: Rockford University, Galapagos Charter School, Marshall Middle School, Local High Schools and STEM Employers 

When: April 26, 2024,

9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.: STEM Workshops

1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Student Research Symposium, Interactive Demonstrations and BANG! 

Where: Starr Science Center, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St, Rockford, IL, 61108 

Who: Rockford University students, faculty, and staff; Galapagos Charter and Marshall Middle School students; local high school students; university officials, and media

ROCKFORD, Ill. —Rockford University will host students from Galapagos Charter and Marshall Middle Schools in Rockford on Friday, April 26, for STEM Day. The middle school students and 4th graders will be on campus from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Rockford University students will be working with the 4th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders during the different workshops, and RU professors from mathematics, computer science, physics, and chemical & biological sciences will lead the workshops. Visitors will even get a campus tour and lunch on campus to learn more about RU.

Starting at 1:30 p.m., RU STEM students will present their research findings in the afternoon as part of a research symposium and the Alpha Helix Bang! The Chemical Show will be presented at 4:30 p.m. at Starr. Local high school students and local employers are invited to attend.

High school students and employers are asked to RSVP by April 19 to Kari Severson at KSeverson@rockford.edu. 

Media are invited to attend both events and speak with the RU faculty who organized the workshops.  

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 Questions or interview requests can be sent to SMyers@Rockford.edu. We ask the media to RSVP by emailing us by 9 a.m. on Friday, April 26. 

Contact:

Sara Myers

RU Marketing & Communications

smyers@rockford.edu

815.394.5052

MEDIA ADVISORY

For April 17, 2024

Students, faculty, staff, and alumni will participate in challenges and special activities to encourage engagement. This year, Day of Giving is seeking to specifically support the Howard Colman Library.

ROCKFORD, Ill. — Rockford University, the region’s leading private four-year educational institution, will hold its tenth annual Day of Giving on Thursday, April 25, 2024. Day of Giving is a 24-hour giving challenge that uses the power of social media to raise funds in support of Rockford University students. This year, Day of Giving is seeking to specifically support renovations of the Howard Colman Library at Rockford University.

Challenges, fun incentives, and special activities will be featured to encourage engagement and participation throughout the day. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends will celebrate on campus with fun activities planned from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside the Howard Colman Library, 5050 E. State Street.  There will be FREE food, RU merchandise, pictures with Reggie the Mascot, and time with therapy dogs. 

In 2023, Day of Giving raised over $131,841 from 415 donors. This year, the goal is to exceed last year’s totals and achieve a record 425 alumni and friends making gifts of any size to show their belief in these incredible students.
 
Facebook: facebook.com/RockfordUniversity/

Instagram: instagram.com/rockforduniversity/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/rockford-university/

Website: givecampus.com/schools/RockfordUniversity/day-of-giving-2024; rockford.edu/alumni/day-of-giving/ 

Photo opportunities will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside the Howard Colman Library during our Day of Giving Celebration.

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Please RSVP to Sara Myers at SMyers@rockford.edu by 9 a.m. on April 25, 2024, to confirm your attendance.

Contact:

Sara Myers

Rockford University Marketing & Communications 

SMyers@rockford.edu

815-394-5052

For Immediate Release: 

April 16, 2024

What: Rockford University Raising Awareness about Sexual Assault on Denim Day

When: April 24, 2024, from 4 to 6 p.m. 

Where: Sam Greeley Football Field at Rockford University, 5050 E State St, Rockford, IL 61108 

Who: Rockford University students, staff, faculty, and community partners – Remedies Renewing Lives, NAMI, Pregnancy Resource Center, Family Peace Center, Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling (RSAC), OSF Trauma Recovery Center

ROCKFORD, Ill. —Each year, Rockford University holds an event to recognize Denim Day. This year, Denim Day is being put on by a group of students for a class project to raise awareness about sexual assault. The students are hosting a kickball tournament and the participants will be playing in jeans. The community partners will have tables to share their resources with the students.   

The history of Denim Day is as follows: (according to Why Denim? — Denim Day)

“Since 1999, Peace Over Violence has run an inspiring and powerful opportunity to practice solidarity and support survivors by renewing our commitment to exposing harmful behaviors and attitudes surrounding sexual violence. Denim Day is a campaign on a Wednesday in April in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The campaign began after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. 

The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Peace Over Violence developed the Denim Day campaign in response to this case and the activism surrounding it. Since then, what started as a local campaign to bring awareness to victim blaming and destructive myths that surround sexual violence has grown into a movement. 

As the longest-running sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history, Denim Day asks community members, elected officials, businesses, and students to make a social statement with their fashion statement by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence.”

The media are invited to attend this event where they can shoot b-roll and/or interview event organizers. We ask all media to RSVP by April 24 at 9 a.m. 

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Questions or interview requests can be sent to SMyers@Rockford.edu.

Contact:

Sara Myers

RU Marketing & Communications

smyers@rockford.edu

815.394.5052

For Immediate Release: 

April 18, 2024

What: Rockford University Earth Day Clean-Up 

When: Monday, April 22, 2024, 3:30 p.m. 

Where: Along East State St. next to Machine Shed (7475 E State St., Rockford)

Who: Rockford University football team, Jane Addams Center for Civic Engagement (JACCE), and the Rockford East Cherry Valley Rotary Club.

ROCKFORD, Ill. —Rockford University’s football team, JACCE, and the Rockford East Cherry Valley Rotary Club are excited to partner together and help pick up trash along the streets of Rockford for Earth Day on April 22, 2024. 

The three groups are coming together to help pick up trash on both sides of East State St. starting at the Machine Shed restaurant located at 7475 E State St. in Rockford and ending at AMC Rockford 16, located at 8301 E State St. in Rockford.

Media are invited to take b-roll and interview volunteers on Monday, April 22 at 3:30 p.m. at Machine Shed. To RSVP or ask any questions, media can email Sara Myers at SMyers@rockford.edu.

Contact:

Sara Myers

Rockford University Marketing & Communications

SMyers@rockford.edu

815.394.5052

For Immediate Release: 

March 22, 2024

Employers from fifty different industries will be on-site. 

What: Rockford University Spring 2024 Internship & Career Fair 

When: March 27, 2024, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. 

Where: Regents Hall, Burpee Student Center, Rockford University, 5050 E State St, Rockford, IL 61108 

Who: Rockford University students, local and national employers, university officials, and media 

ROCKFORD, Ill. —Rockford University is excited to host a student career and internship fair from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Regents Hall. The event is open to all current Rockford University students, alumni, and community members. The fair will provide guests with the opportunity to meet with employers from a variety of industries. 

The career fair will feature fifty employers from the local community and beyond, including representatives from healthcare, finance, technology, education, and more. 

Companies attending include Hard Rock Casino, MercyHeath, Winnebago County, WQRF/WTVO Nexstar Medic Inc., Department of Juvenile Justice. UW Health, Illinois Student Assistance Commission, Rockford Police Department, OSF Healthcare, Belvidere Park District, and more. 

Students will have the chance to speak with recruiters, learn about job and internship opportunities, explore potential career paths, receive a free headshot, use the career closet, and partake in giveaways.

Pre-registration for the event is strongly encouraged. The registration form can be found here.  

Media are invited to attend the career fair and speak with university officials, students, and recruiters about the importance of career fairs for college students. Interviews and photo opportunities will be available upon request. We ask all media to RSVP by March 27 at 9 a.m. 

We look forward to seeing you at the career fair! 

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Questions or interview requests can be sent to SMyers@Rockford.edu.

Contact:

Sara Myers

Rockford University Marketing & Communications

smyers@rockford.edu

815.394.5052

ROCKFORD, Ill. (March 18, 2024) – The Board of Trustees for Rockford University, the region’s leading private four-year institution, has announced the appointment of Dr. Patricia Lynott as the 19th President of the university, effective immediately.

Dr. Lynott has been serving as the Interim President since December 2022. During that time, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and a deep commitment to the university’s mission and values.

“We are thrilled to appoint Dr. Lynott as the official President of Rockford University,” said Rebecca Epperson, Chair, Rockford University Board of Trustees. “Throughout her tenure as Interim President, she has proven to be an outstanding leader, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and inclusivity. The impact she has made in just 18 months has been instrumental in moving our organization forward by identifying and launching new degrees, and programs to benefit students as well as further connecting it with our community’s business leaders for future workforce needs.” 

Dr. Lynott brings a wealth of experience to the role, with over 35 years in higher education. She began her career as a communications professor teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in rhetoric, political communication, and public speaking. At Elmhurst College, Dr. Lynott served as Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education, and became the founding director of Elmhurst Partners, the college’s corporate training division that provided custom programming to Chicago-area Fortune 500 companies.

At Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), she played a critical leadership role in transitioning a small regional business college into a national, multi-faceted university. Dr. Lynott successfully managed the impact of rapid and significant growth that required new business processes and structural reorganization during a period of remarkable transformation. She also served as vice president of academic affairs, provost, and as president of SNHU’s University College.

“I am honored and excited to continue serving as President of Rockford University,” said Dr. Lynott. “I am committed to advancing the university’s mission of educating people to lead responsible lives by means of a curriculum grounded in liberal arts learning and complemented and extended by professional and practical experience, and I look forward to working with our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners to ensure that Rockford University remains a place of excellence, innovation, and opportunity for all.”

ABOUT ROCKFORD UNIVERSITY

Rockford University, a private not-for-profit institution in Rockford, Illinois, is dedicated to providing a quality education rooted in liberal arts and professional studies. With a rich history from 1847, Rockford University is committed to preparing students for rewarding careers, responsible citizenship, and lifelong learning. To learn more about Rockford University, visit our website at www.rockford.edu.

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Contact:

Sara Myers

Rockford University Marketing and Communications

smyers@rockford.edu

communications@rockford.edu

For Immediate Release: 

March 15, 2024

ROCKFORD, Ill. —Five Rockford University Pathway Teaching Students received tuition assistance from members of Master Builders Masonic Lodge #33 and The Jarrett Family, in a ceremony at the Burpee Student Center on RU’s campus on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 3 p.m. 

Each student has received $3,000 as a donation towards their tuition. The five students are Donovan Turner, Rashad Hoel, Erinique Johnson, Jamera Morris, and Adorant Boukandou. All students are freshman RU Education Pathway students. 

“What a great way to diversify our teaching ranks by selecting students who are already in our school system, who understand the students and the culture of Rockford Public Schools,” said Earl Dotson Jr. of Master Builders Masonic Lodge #33 in a quote from their news release. 

In 2019, the Jarrett Family and Master Builders Masonic Lodge partnered to raise money to help fill in the financial gap for selected students. They worked with the RPS 205 Department of Equity & Inclusion to select students to qualify for the extra assistance. The students wrote essays on why they wanted to be teachers and the lodge selected students on their essays and passion for the teaching profession.

About the RU Pathway: The Rockford University Pathway is a partnership with Rockford Public Schools and Rockford University. RPS 205 students selected for the program attend Rockford University at a steep discount. Students spend their student teaching experience in RPS 205 and receive preferred hiring for RPS 205 teaching jobs after graduation. Once they are teaching in RPS 205, they can earn a master’s degree from Rockford University in urban education, tuition-free.

Photos from the event can be found here. 

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Questions or interview requests can be sent to SMyers@Rockford.edu.

Contact:

Sara Myers

RU 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.