Campus News

First observed in October 1981, the national “Day of Unity” set a goal of raising awareness for victims and survivors of domestic violence. Since then, it has grown into an entire month (October) dedicated to bringing attention to this critical issue. In 1989, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) began with education and support from friends, family, and organizations.

Rockford University is proud to recognize and support DVAM and the Domestic Violence National Day of Unity, which will be observed this year on October 19^th. Throughout October, the Rockford University Department of Public Safety, with the help of volunteer RU students, will be sponsoring events to bring attention to Domestic Violence. Events include ribbon awareness, bracelet awareness, and speaking with domestic violence professionals, among other events.

Because Thursday, October 19^th, falls during Fall Break, we will commemorate Domestic Violence Day of Unity on Thursday, October 26^th. We ask that all campus community members show support by wearing purple.

Domestic Violence Stats

Rockford University is accepting applications for the position of Graduate Assistant for Men’s Soccer to begin August 1, 2023. The selected candidate will receive up to 21 hours of tuition remission per academic year, room and board and a monthly stipend. Requirements include working a minimum of 30 hours per week over 12 months.

SUMMARY:
1. To foster, mold, guide, lead, and direct student-athletes towards a quality educational experience in order to obtain the ultimate goal of a degree.
2. To develop a successful collegiate women’s soccer program and individual coaching philosophy through recruiting, off-season programs, practice planning, and in-season execution.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Recruiting phone calls, off-campus visits, setting up on-campus visits.
• High School visits, both in and out of state.
• Setting up and executing practices.
• Game and practice coaching.
• Individual student-athlete meetings.
• Weekly study table sessions.
• Set up individual tutoring and learning sessions through the usage of Rockford University programs.
• Classroom attendance and grade checks.
• Strength and conditioning supervision.
• Film breakdown of both practice and game film.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• • Bachelors Degree.
  • Acceptance into the graduate program
  • Successful playing experience preferably at the collegiate level.
  • Position specific knowledge of the game
  • A valid driver’s license and personal auto insurance
• Insurable for driving per University policy
• • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Must be willing to take initiative and work hard
  • Working knowledge of Strength and Conditioning

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and list of three professional references to Human Resources@rockford.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and be accepted until the position is filled.

EOE

by Sara Myers

The Rockford University Performing Arts department will kick of its season Feb. 23 with “The Importance of Being Earnest” — an Oscar Wilde classic directed by RU’s Deborah Mogford.

The production will start at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, in the Maddox Theatre at the Clark Arts Center, 5050 E. State St., Rockford. There will be additional showings at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26 at the Maddox Theatre. Tickets can be purchased online, over the phone at (815) 226-4100 or through email: boxoffice@rockford.edu. 

Oscar Wilde was an Irish author, poet and playwright. His play, “The Importance of Being Earnest” was released in 1895 and is his most popular comedy that is still being performed.

“It is a classic of 1895,” Mogford said. “It continues to be going around the world even today. We chose it because it’s a comedy of manners and it’s a good thing for students to have that particular genre.”

The main cast includes: Josh Ponsones, Andrew Ashley, Jake Rogers, Jessica Rathbun, Emmarie Wilson, and Kade De Angioletti.

Many of the actors traveled far from home to attend RU’s Performing Arts program. Ponsones is from San Diego, California; Wilson is from Fort Worth, Texas; De Angioletti from Leesburg, Virginia; and both Rogers and Rathbun are from Aurora, Colorado.

The actors, most who are seniors this year, said they’ve had fun learning the material, as well as getting to know each other.

For both Wilson and Ashley, performing with a smaller cast has been very impactful. They’re bonding and have a greater appreciation for the characters’ individual stories.

For Rathbun, the smaller cast allows everyone more room since they take up the space with their “characterizations and presence.”

Wilde’s writing is still relevant today, De Angioletti said.

“That humor still transcends and people still find the jokes funny,” De Angioletti said, adding that the cast laughed during the read through.

Rathbun, who plays Miss Prism, has enjoyed the balancing act of doing a small show but also looks forward to their next production of Urinetown, a larger musical production.

Diving into Character

For Ponsones, one thing he said he took away from his character, and the production in general, was to not let so much of his own personality into the character.

“As somebody who is very into large gestures and always uses their hands a lot,” Ponsones said, “I have to keep my hands completely in place, all the time. I’ve learned you don’t need to use your hands so much when you talk.”

Roger plays John and has learned to tap into the duality of his character. He said he’s learned to let his guard down, while still keeping his composure.

“That has been a balance I haven’t really seen before,” he said.

The cast is ultimately looking forward to bringing their characters to life in front of a live audience. 

“I’m sure since we’re having so much fun, it’ll be fun for the audience too,” Ashley said.

[Show slideshow]

• John Worthing, J.P: Jake Rogers
• Algernon Moncrieff: Andrew Ashley
• Canon Chasuble, D. D.: Josh Ponsones
• Lady Bracknall: Kayleigh Ferguson
• Miss Prism: Jessica Rathbun
• Gwendolen Fairfax: Emmarie Wilson
• Cecily Cardew: Kade De Angioletti
• Lane: Zach Furmanek
• Merriman: Robert Strader

CREW:

• Director: Deborah Mogford
• Stage Manager: Kaitlyn Tesdroff
• Assistant Stage Managers: Analiese Garcia, Caitlin Dennis
• Costume Shop Manager: Karly Osborne
• Assistant Technical Director: Andrew Harth
• Master Electrician: Kaitlyn Tesdroff 
• Aster Electrician: Lindsay Johnson
• Scene Painter: Karah Nelson
• Sound Design/Sound Operator: Isaac Urbik
• Projection Operator: Sara Goodger
• Properties Master: Zachary Furmanek
• Assistant Properties: Adara Barrera Medina
• Wardrobe: Aubry Musfelt
• House Crew Chief/House Manager: Miami Roby
• House Crew: Sara Goodger, Karah Nelson
• Box Office Manager/ Program: Margaret McGraw
• Box Office Staff: Nakeyia Hunter, Yulissa Mancillas, Guadalupe Moreno
• Costume Shop: Keira Alejandro, Aiden Foreman, Emmarie Wilson
• Scene Shop: Adara Barrera Medina, Caitlin Dennis, Zachary Furmanek, Analiese Garcia, Sara Goodger, Lindsay Johnson, Karah Nelson, Kaitlyn Tesdorff, Isaac Urbik
• Scenic & Lighting Designer: Donald Fox
• Costume Designer: Jeff Hendry
• Technical Director: Beth Drog
• Archive Photographer: Ted Johnson

Fulcomer will leave Rockford University stronger and ready for its next chapter

ROCKFORD, Ill. (June 8, 2022) – Rockford University, the region’s leading private four-year educational institution, has announced the resignation of its president, Dr. Eric Fulcomer, who has accepted a position as the president of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU) in Madison, WI. He will remain at the university through mid-December 2022 to provide the Board of Trustees time to ensure a smooth transition.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the Rockford University students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and community,” shared Fulcomer. “While I look forward to this new chapter, I will miss the people and organizations with whom I have had the pleasure to work and will continue to count as friends and colleagues.”

During his more than nine years at the institution, Fulcomer helped Rockford University solidify its financial footing, enhance its community presence and partnerships, realize consistently strong enrollment, and navigate the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are just a few of the university’s accomplishments under his leadership:

• As the Vice President of Enrollment Management and then as President, Fulcomer put Rockford University on a course for consistent, sometimes record-breaking enrollment in undergraduate, graduate, and degree-completion programs.
• Early in his tenure as President, Fulcomer led a strategic planning initiative to align all stakeholders in identifying and achieving priorities for the university’s success. The plan became the roadmap for vitally important and successful initiatives.
• In 2018, Rockford University’s capital campaign concluded having raised $18.4M, which was more than $1M above the initial goal.
• The success of the capital campaign facilitated a multi-million dollar investment into campus improvements including an addition to Seaver Gymnasium, which houses a new fitness center and renovated classrooms for a growing kinesiology program; renovations to the Starr Science Building; upgrades to the residence halls; and significant improvements in campus infrastructure, technology, and the student experience.
• Fulcomer helped create an improved governance model for the Board of Trustees that is being utilized effectively still today.
• Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Fulcomer supported students, faculty, and staff to manage campus safety and transition learning so students had the flexibility to continue coursework without interruption.
• The Office of Student Life implemented a robust Student Leadership Program with more than 50 student leadership positions at the university.
• Working with regional higher education partners, Rockford University implemented new agreements with area community colleges that enhanced transfer of applied credits for degree completion programs.

Perhaps most importantly, the Board of Trustees credits Fulcomer with creating a culture of strategic planning, sound governance, and a high-functioning executive leadership team. While his specific achievements are numerous, they felt this will be his legacy for years to come.

“A true measure of leadership is the success of an organization once you are no longer in that role,” said Joel Moore, president of Rockford University Board of Trustees. “Eric’s contributions have strengthened internal and external relationships and provided a stable and successful foundation upon which the university will continue to grow. He will be missed, and we wish him continued success in his next endeavor.”

During the next six months, Fulcomer will continue in his role and assist the Board of Trustees in preparing for and transitioning to his successor. A full search is slated to begin this summer.

As the incoming president of WAICU, Fulcomer will oversee the official organization of the 23 independent (or private) nonprofit institutions of higher learning in Wisconsin. Membership is limited to accredited, nonprofit institutions headquartered in Wisconsin. WAICU members collectively enroll 53,000 students and offer over 470 academic programs and produce 23 percent of all the bachelor’s degrees and 35 percent of all the advanced degrees awarded in the state.

 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 is a U.S. News & World Report Best Midwest Regional University, Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,250 full-and part-time students.

Nicole Robinson ’12 is a nursing supervisor at Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville, Ga., serving our U.S. veterans and thanks Rockford University for giving her the skills to help out during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Durpee Powell ’09 started his own virtual tutoring service, DP’s Excellence Virtual Tutoring Service. The service focuses on math for grades 1-5 and writing/English class tutoring for grades 4-12. He is excited about helping the youth in the community achieve their goals.

Scholarships Will Enable 30 Black Students to Pursue Business Degrees

Rockford, IL (July 14, 2020) – Rockford University, the region’s leading private four-year institution, today unveiled the Charles Box Scholarships, a program that will enable 30 Black students to pursue a business degree at the PURI School of Business over five years.

The Charles Box Scholarships will be awarded to an estimated 12 students per year for five years and are designated for Black students pursuing a degree in business through the degree completion programs at the PURI School of Business at Rockford University.

“There’s no better person for these scholarships to be named after than Charles Box. His influence in our community, his dedication to pursuing justice, and his unrelenting passion for enhancing our world is significant,” said Dr. Eric Fulcomer, President, Rockford University. “We are equally honored by the generous spirit that Sunil Puri continues to share with the community and our University. His inspirational contributions will make a lasting, positive impact on our students that will ripple for generations.”

In 1989, Box was elected as the first Black mayor in Rockford and was re-elected for two additional terms. At the time, Box won a greater percentage of votes than any Rockford mayor since the 1920s. He’s described as an active listener, a consensus builder, and an advocate for education, regional economic growth, and participation in critical issues.

“I’m humbled by this honor and so appreciative of Sunil and Rockford University for setting a precedent for our community – and perhaps our world – by providing the opportunities for Black students to a pursue higher education,” said Box. “This is not about me, but rather about those who will benefit from all that Rockford University has to offer in order to make their dreams a reality.”

The Charles Box Scholarships will allow students to complete their business degree at Rockford University debt-free and be well-positioned for careers in our world today.

“During this time of tremendous inequity in our country, the Puri Foundation believes it is especially important to provide opportunities for Black students to build generational wealth through a business education. A degree from Rockford University will empower these students to become employers and start their own businesses in our community,” said Puri. “The world-class education I received at Rockford University was about much more than the classes and grades. It prepared me to be flexible and adapt, even through circumstances as unprecedented as a pandemic. That’s the benefit of a liberal arts education.”

About Charles Box

A native of Rockford, Charles Box graduated from Auburn Senior High School in 1969, from Dartmouth College, Magna Cum Laude in 1973; and from the University of Michigan Law School in 1976. Box practiced law in Rockford as a member of the firm of Connolly, Oliver, Goddard, Coplan and Close from 1976 to 1981. He served as Rockford’s Legal Director from 1981 to 1987, and as the City Administrator from 1987 to 1989.

Box made history in April 1989 when he became the first Black to be elected Mayor of Rockford, Illinois’ second largest city. He was re-elected in 1993 and again in 1997. During his terms as Mayor, he served on the Board of Trustees of the U. S. Conference of Mayors and served as the Vice President of the Illinois Municipal League.

During his three terms as Mayor, Box focused on housing, economic development, cultural and environmental issues. In 2006 he was nominated and confirmed as Chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission, an entity that regulates electric, gas and water rates for publicly owned utilities.

Since returning to Rockford in 1976, Box has also served on and contributed to numerous organizations for the betterment of the region, including serving as a member of Board of Trustees for Rockford University.

About Puri Foundation

The Puri Foundation was established in 2014 by Sunil Puri, the founder of First Midwest Group and lifelong philanthropist in the Rockford-region. The organization’s core mission is to fund opportunities that empower underprivileged individuals. The Puri Foundation accomplishes this goal by contributing financial resources to foster educational, athletic, civil society, and other philanthropic initiatives led by high-impact organizations.

The Puri Foundation’s initial gift was a $5,000,000 monetary and building pledge to endow the Puri School of Business at Rockford University in 2014. Since then, the foundation has been active in the region with a $2,250,000 donation of the Puri Family YMCA building in 2015, the establishment of the Puri Residence Hall at Rockford Christian Schools in 2018, and continual support for the Golden Apple Foundation through the Puri Family Outstanding Principal Award, among others. The foundation is also active internationally, providing seed funding for Water for Dignity, a Non-Government Organization providing clean water and women’s empowerment initiatives to India’s most impoverished regions.

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 is a U.S. News & World Report Best Midwest Regional University, Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,250 full-and part-time students.

For more information: Rebecca Epperson, Chartwell Agency, 815.621.8295 or RU@chartwell-agency.com.

# # #

March 26, 2020 Campus Update

Online instruction will take place for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester; Changes to Residence Hall Occupancy; May Commencement Ceremony canceled.

Dear Rockford University Community,

We are closely monitoring the effects that the COVID-19 crisis is creating for higher education. Following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control, the Winnebago County Health Department, the Illinois Department of Health, and the State of Illinois, we have made several decisions to protect our students and employees. Simultaneously, we also are working diligently to find new ways to deliver instruction so that our students can maintain their studies. As such, the following changes will take effect immediately for the remainder of the spring semester.

Online Learning Extended
Remote learning will be in place for the rest of the semester. I am confident that faculty and students will continue to find new ways to innovate and learn together. Our sense of community remains a hallmark of our institution, and not even a pandemic can alter that bond.

Residence Halls Closing
This decision impacts our remaining residential students. Up until this point, we allowed students who wished to live on campus to continue to do so. We were able to accommodate those needs within the state’s Stay At-home order. Now that we will not return to in-person learning, we are asking all students to return to their permanent residence by April 4. If there are extenuating circumstances that prevent this, students will be able to appeal to remain on campus. Appeals will be reviewed on a case-by-case.

We are developing a plan to provide a prorated credit for room and board charges. We will provide the specifics on this as soon as possible, and information will be sent directly to students. Students should be watching their Rockford.edu emails closely.

Commencement
These decisions also directly affect how we will close out the semester and celebrate our graduating class. It is with sadness that we now must cancel our commencement ceremony scheduled for Sunday, May 17. We recognize the unique importance this day holds for our graduating seniors and their families and friends, along with our faculty and staff who find such joy in celebrating the accomplishments of our students. We are moving forward with plans for a virtual ceremony to take place in May, and diplomas will be mailed when available. We are also working on plans for an in-person ceremony this fall once we can safely gather together again. More details will be shared regarding this as soon as possible.

Most other events scheduled on campus for the remainder of the spring term are also canceled.

These are unprecedented times, and we are making challenging decisions that are in the best interests of the health and safety of our Rockford University community.  Please continue to be patient with one another and to extend grace whenever you can – knowing that everyone is forced to deal with new realities and to give up things that they never imagined having to do.  We will come through this time as a stronger campus community.

Eric Fulcomer
President

For the safety of the campus community, the campus will be open only to current students, faculty, staff, established vendors, and registered guests. Signage will be posted at the State Street and Turner Street entrances, as well as to the entrances of all buildings. This is in effect beginning March 18, 2020, until further notice. 

Areas like Admission, Student Administrative Services (SAS), and the Howard Colman Library have put protocols in place that restrict in-person contact while still providing service for our current and prospective students. Please don’t hesitate to reach out via email or phone if you have any questions. More information about the campus response to COVID-19 can be found on the University’s website COVID-19 Updates page.