Campus News

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

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. 

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! 

By Sara Myers, Digital Media & Communications Specialist   

First day of classes at Rockford University start Wednesday, Aug. 23. To help make sure new first-year students are prepared, we gathered some quick tips and advice to ensure you start the new school year right.

Big thanks to staff from Admissions, Housing and Student Life. If we have missed anything, please comment below! 

Katie Wolfgram, RU Assistant Director of Admissions:  

#1. Send your final high school transcript to admissions.  

• Make sure your high school transcript is sent directly to the Admissions Office (anytime during the fall semester is acceptable, but late transcripts will affect your financial aid so don’t delay!)

#2. Chat with Student Administrative Services ASAP.  

• Make time to chat with Student Administrative Services (SAS) as early as possible. They can address financial aid questions and determine if you need to fill out any forms.

#3. Sign up for the Spring semester in October!  

• October may seem early to plan for spring, but that’s when class registration opens up. Before you can register you will need to make sure your transcripts are submitted to SAS by the first half of the Fall semester. You can check the Portal for updates. 

Director of Student Life Alex Johnson Recommends Upcoming Events 

Orientation was the first opportunity to learn more about Rockford University. If you attended, you were able to meet your entire first-year class and get to know your first-year advisor.

Throughout your time at Rockford University, you will have other opportunities to get involved and meet people.

“There are a lot of things happening in August,” said Alex Johnson, Director of Student Life. 

“You may be nervous about just attending college and not knowing anyone. These events are a perfect time for anyone to attend to get connected to all the students on campus. If I had to emphasize two things it would be the fall kickoff and the activities fair to attend.”  

Make sure to check announcements and social media for updates on events. Here is a list of upcoming Student Life Events:

Fall Kick Off  

• When: Friday, Aug. 25  
• Time: 5 to 8 p.m.  
• Where: Burpee Commons  

• What: Enjoy inflatables, games, make-and-take items, and great food. This event is open to Rockford University Students, Staff, Faculty, and their families. Make sure you stay till 8 p.m. when we end the night with fireworks!  

Caffeine Cart  

• When: Monday, Aug. 28  
• Time: 9 to 11:30 a.m.  
• Where: Around campus  

• What: Join the Commuter Council as they help you wake up. Make sure you flag down the purple golf cart on your way to class to snag a caffeinated beverage!  

Activities Fair  

• When: Wednesday, Aug. 30  
• Time: 2 to 4 p.m.  
• Where: Library Patio  

• What: Want to get involved on campus? Stop by the activities fair and meet all the clubs that Rockford University has to offer.  

Water Festival  

• When: Thursday, Aug. 31  
• Time: Tentatively 3-6 pm  
• What: Burpee Commons  

• Info: Join CAB as they throw the first-ever water festival. Join us for tons of water-inspired games including slide-and-slide kickball, a water balloon fight, and more!  

College Success from Scott Mitchell, Assistant Dean and Director of Residence Life:  

#1. Sit in the “T” zone one class. The front rows and down the center aisles are important to maintain contact with faculty and be notified to participate in class discussions.  

 #2. Although new to campus, set up a routine for hours of sleep and study. Maintain a schedule for success. It is easy to get distracted and setting a routine right away helps maintain focus on academic goals.  

We wish everyone a safe and happy semester! Students can find major university news here at rockford.edu. 

By Sara Myers, Digital Media & Communications Specialist

The Rockford University Regents First program, which specially supports first-generation college students, introduced its first pilot summer internship program at the beginning of the summer.

The seven student interns currently work as summer camp leaders/counselors at Patriots Gateway Center, located at 615 S. 5th St. in Rockford. Camp started June 20 and ends Friday, Aug. 18. Six of the seven students are studying education, and one is a nursing student. Julissa Gutierrez and Jennifer Pina are rising juniors at RU, while the rest of the students are rising sophomores.

The interns lead kindergarten through 8th graders, in a combination of group activities with topics in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).

To prepare for the summer internship, the Rockford University students participated in a  pre-internship program. They attended multiple seminars, including financial literacy, professionalism, and leadership seminars.

“We’ve spent our time investing in them prior to their arrival at the internship site,” said Dr. Karen Walker, RU Dean of Academic Support, Center for Learning Strategies. “They have learned about the professionalism that we want them to embrace and embody, and we’ve talked about the characteristics of effective leaders. And now that they’re at the internship site, we don’t just drop them off and walk away, we’re still there. We’re checking on them and checking in with their supervisors.”

RF Interns Julissa Gutierrez and Mya Barrett—both studying education —  spoke about how their summer internship is going and what they have learned.

“We get to do so many different types of activities with them,” Barrett said. “Last time I was there, we were doing math. But I like how they’re integrating the learning component into it and getting the kids to be able to do fun summer activity stuff.”

Barrett is majoring in Biology with a minor in Secondary Education, with endorsements in English as a Second Language (ESL) and Spanish.

Gutierrez is majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in Bilingual Education and Special Education.

“It’s been a very busy summer. I’m really enjoying it,” Gutierrez said. “I think I learn something new every time I go into Patriots. The kids are learning from me and I’m learning from them. It’s been a great growing experience I’d say.”

Another added benefit to the summer internship program is that it’s a paid internship. Barrett said that this definitely was helpful to her but thinks she would still volunteer at Patriots over the summer, but only once a week while she works at AMC Movie Theater.

“I definitely might not have been as able to just because it’s a full-time role,” Gutierrez said on the internship being paid. “I have been working with children and that was the goal. Last year, I did Discovery Center (as a paid job) for the summer, but I definitely know for me it helped a lot that it was paid, and I think that is definitely incentivizing.”

The seven RF students who participated included: Julissa Gutierrez, Mya Barrett, Arwen Johnson, Ana Contreras, Kiarra Myrick, Nicole Facer, and Jennifer Pina. 

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