student in computer lab

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly and is designated as a 24-hour period of non-violence and cease-fire. For our 2022 celebration, we highlighted the works and legacy of peacebuilder, artist, and Rockford alum Roland Poska, who called on all of us to help foster a more peaceful, equitable world. See the highlights here! We hope to see you on September 21, 2023, for the next International Day of Peace.

2022 Art and Writing Contest Winners

Carlos Martinez

Carlos’s Work: Free Markets for the Arrangement of Peace

About Me

As an economics major, I have encountered numerous circumstances where economic theory is used to explain the forces at work in society. I thought peace utterly needed to be presented keenly from economic viewpoints and recount how much we need things like private property, the rule of law, or even sound money. In the future, I aspire to earn a Ph.D. in economics and be recognized as a renowned researcher and professor.

McKiah Bashay

 

TJ Lacey

TJ’s Work: Cultural Autobiography

About Me

My name is TJ Lacey. I am a Graduate Student at Rockford University, studying to earn my MAT. I am also an assistant coach for the Men’s Basketball team. After college, I want to teach and continue coaching. My inspiration for my piece comes from my brother being harassed by the police recently. That situation left me thinking back about all I have endured over my life and wanting to be open about my upbringing. It also allowed me to understand that I will have to prepare my 2 baby boys for the harsh realities of the world.

Jonathon Schubert

About Me

My intended major is Economic Finance. This drawing is a representation of internal strife. I plan on pursuing a CFA charter in the Finance field to become an analyst in order to fund the opening of a music label for rock bands.

The prints displayed in this exhibit were created by students enrolled in Professor Dave Menard’s printmaking courses at Rockford University. Created in response to the story of RU alum Jane Addams’ life and legacy, the prints explore the democratic nature of the art of printmaking and the collective voice that images have in spreading a message and giving voice to an idea. Professor Menard asks his students to create images that reflect the kinds of issues they themselves feel passionate about and want to give voice to. These relief prints are some of those results.