Rockford University’s Day of Giving Seeks to Procure a Record Amount of Gifts for Rockford Promise Scholars at Rockford University04/25/2023 10:08 am
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 Rockford Promise Scholars studying at Rockford University.
ROCKFORD, Ill. — Rockford University, the region’s leading private four-year educational institution, will hold its ninth annual Day of Giving on Thursday, April 27, 2023. 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 Rockford Promise Scholars studying 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. – 1 p.m. outside the Johnson Alumni Center, 5050 E. State Street. There will be FREE food, t-shirts for the first 50 guests, pictures with Reggie the Mascot, and time with RU’s therapy dogs.
Rockford University makes a profound difference in the lives of Rockford Promise scholars by supporting their dreams and graduating them in four years, tuition-free. In Fall 2023, the number of Rockford Promise scholars choosing to study at RU, Rockford’s local university, will TRIPLE and requires financial support.
Last year, Day of Giving raised over $120,000 from 375 donors. This year, the goal is to exceed last year’s totals and achieve a record 400 alumni and friends making their gift of any size to show their belief in these incredible students.
“Rockford Promise scholars contribute so much to our campus and community, and we are grateful for the opportunity to support additional scholars coming to our campus through this year’s Day of Giving. Having 400 donors join us in celebrating the success of these students will allow Rockford University to continue graduating even more Rockford Promise scholars tuition-free,” said Nicole Riley, Rockford University’s Director of Alumni Engagement & Philanthropic Strategies.
Event attendees who make a gift of any size are entered in a pick-a-prize opportunity and a pick-a-pie opportunity, where they can win a gift provided by a faculty or staff member, and pick who from leadership will get a good-hearted pie to the face during the End of Year Bash on April 28.
To participate or follow Rockford University’s progress during the 2023 Day of Giving, connect with the university’s primary social media channels and use hashtag #RUDayofGiving2023.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RockfordUniversity/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rockforduniversity/
Website: www.rockford.edu/give/dayofgiving/
Photo opportunities will be available from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. outside the Johnson Alumni Center during our Day of Giving Celebration.
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Please RSVP to Communications@rockford.edu by 9 a.m. on April 27, 2023, to confirm your attendance.
08/30/2022 2:59 pm
Every day, our RU team members—faculty and staff, both past and present—make a major difference in our students’ continued success. You are among the university’s incredible advocates of our mission. Thanks to you, we create a total academic and co-curricular experience that prepares students for fulfilling lives, careers, and participation in a modern and changing global society.
Your influence doesn’t stop there. By supporting the university philanthropically, you amplify our ability to raise even more dollars. By making a gift— at any level, at any time of year—helps improve our employee giving rate. What’s more, you help open the door to grant dollars, and set a Rock Solid example to our students and future alumni!
Making automated gifts to the university through payroll deduction is easy. Complete and send in the form here.
Make your gift online here.
Please contact Olivia Covert, Advancement Officers–Events and Giving, at 815-226-3376 or OCovert@rockford.edu.
Thank you for all you do to make the remarkable happen!
08/30/2022 2:45 pm
The President’s Annual Report highlights the university’s major accomplishments from the academic year and, in addition to our annual financial statement, illustrates how our community helped advance our mission. The publication also heralds our Honor Roll of Donors.
08/29/2022 4:00 pm
When you give to Rockford University, you help students build bright futures today. These stories illustrate the difference that your giving makes in the lives of many Regents—students, alumni, faculty and friends.
Davis is among our Spring 2022 Distinguished Scholars, completing the semester with at least a 3.75 GPA. The freshman was named First Team All-NACC and NACC Freshman of the Year, a first for an RU woman student-athlete and the fifth in NCAA history. She also was earned Rookie of the Year—congratulations!
Callahan is one of 55 Illinois students to receive this prestigious honor from The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. He graduated in Spring 2022, summa cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science.
Husband and wife Mehmet and Filiz Dik have been vital to the Rockford University community since they became faculty members in 2003 and 2006, respectively.
“Autumn Schaal understands that a student’s environment plays a vital role in their academic success and overall health. Luckily, Schaal has a wide range of experience in fields of wellness, and her holistic healing practices allow her to meet each student’s needs on an individual basis.” – One Magazine
02/22/2022 9:49 am
Good Neighbors Tea: A Celebration of Scotland
June 2nd, 2024
2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Clark Arts Lobby
Please use the form below to purchase tickets*
*All revenue from ticket sales will support the Performing Arts’ trip to the Festival Fringe in Scotland!
Benefits of Membership in FOPA
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Questions?
Call one of the co-chairs:Bob Kantner ’79 at 815-762-0407
Bill Scarpaci ’98 at 815-997-4934
Interested in making a major investment in FOPA or including RU Performing Arts in your will or estate?
Contact Lauren Prchal at 815-394-5190
08/17/2021 4:39 pm
07/26/2021 12:33 pm
Judy Symon Sophianopoulos ’53 retired in 2005 after 18 years as an environmental scientist with the EPA and 17 years as a lecturer and researcher in chemistry at Emory University. Now, Judy volunteers as a tutor at the afterschool program LaAmistad, a charitable...
Erin McDonald ’19 is a medical/surgical nurse working with various medical problems and has seen all different types of patients including those with trauma, cardiac issues, withdrawal, and COVID-19. Catalyst Home Explore our News...
Yvette Robinson ’18/’20 is excited to be serving her country as an AmeriCorps VISTA for Northern Illinois Regional Affordable Housing. She has had the pleasure of working with the Illinois National Guard and the Winnebago County Health Department during a vaccine...
Christopher Scorsolini ’17 has launched his career in aerospace and is currently a financial controller for Global Military Programs at GKN Aerospace in Connecticut. Catalyst Home Explore our News...
Jetsabel Alcala ’16/’19 was part of the TEDx Talk in TEDx Normal. She enjoyed sharing insights about how communications with students and parents have changed since distance learning started. Catalyst Home Explore our News...
Shannon Tipton ’02 is working as a staffer for an Illinois state representative and helped create a Black caucus in Will County, Ill.
Christopher Yax ’98 recently joined Teleflex, a medical device manufacturer, selling their intra-aortic balloon pump technology. His sales territory includes the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, and eastern...
Maryann Jones Hayslip ’93, principal of St. Aloysius School in Pewee Valley, Ky., is the recipient of the 2020 Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership given by the U.S. Department of Education. She is one of 10 educators in the nation to receive this...
Kelly Sartorius Scott ’88 received the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Award along with four other Elgin Community College employees. The award recognizes outstanding faculty, staff, and administrators of community and technical...
Charlyne Blatcher Martin ’88 published her first book of poetry titled “Walking Through Memories” available on Amazon and her historical fiction short plays have been produced by Rockford Public Library, the Ethnic Heritage Museum, and Midway Village Museum Center,...
Office of Advancement & Alumni
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Rockford, IL 61108
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02/03/2021 12:32 pm
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06/29/2020 2:05 pm
Linda Ploenzke Sandquist ’85 started a job as an engagement officer at Rockford University. She is excited to connect with Regents she knows and those she doesn’t.
Cassandra Washington ’83 published a book titled “Meet Them Where They Are: 10 Tips to Improve Student Engagement” available on Amazon.
Lee VanDeWostine Nelson ’81 celebrated 39 years as a professional writer. For the first 21 years of her career, Lee worked as a newspaper journalist and now freelances for magazines and websites.
Geraldine Tondi-Larson Cygnor ’76 received an MAT from Rockford, which she put to good use as a special education teacher for 20 years. She is now enjoying a busy retirement.
Mary Parisoe ’75 retired in 2018 after 22 years as a French teacher at Woodlands Academy in Lake Forrest, Ill. This year, she won two Zoom-staged readings of her short plays and is currently working on a longer piece. Once the pandemic ends, she’s also hoping to see...
Bob Matthews ’74 has retired after 24 years with the U.S. Navy and more than 16 years in Washington, D.C. as a government consultant, commonly referred to as a “Beltway Bandit.”
Bob Herdegen ’74 retired after 41 years as a psychology professor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. His post-retirement plans call for lots of traveling and spending time with family once it is safe.
Fred Fuld III ’74 entered his book “Beach Detective: Exploding Surfboard” in the 8th annual Writer’s Digest contest and received high marks in all categories.
Joan Densmore Harberson ’47, known by her classmates as Densy, passed away on December 29, 2019. She is survived by her daughter Kathryn Harberson Thornton, class of 1986. In life, Joan advocated for educational equality with the American Association of University...
Ken Price ’71 shared this photo (bottom, right) taken in August 2019, when he and fellow Rockford University alumni Roseanne (Rotnem) Price, Michelle Klee, Laura (Parker) Jendrzejewski, John Jendrzejewski, Karen (Palmer) McNulty, and Marilyn (Yoder) Creel, all from...
David (Gino) Cox ’73 lives in Bangkok, where he spends his days writing noir mysteries and thrillers, such as Ice Cold, one of his most well-received novels. Recently, he spent some time in the Philippines with his two sons, Dion (8) and Alessandro (4). Catalyst Home...
Brent Johnson ’74 launched an idea 30 years ago (December 1989) to create a FAA repair station for the repair of aircraft components. Since building relationships both domestically and in Europe, Midwest Aero Support, Inc. has become a globally known service center....
Jeffri Harre ’82 earned his MA in Christian Formation with a focus on Spiritual Direction from Virginia Theological Seminary, where he will continue working as the Director of Hospitality Services and Operations. Catalyst Home Explore our News...
Michelle Jackson Collins ’86 is excited to be returning to Illinois after having served as the Faculty Director and Program Director of the Nurse-Midwifery Program at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in Nashville, Tennessee. She has taken a position as the...
Anita Mackenthun Rumage ’97 earned her Doctorate of Public Administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield in December 2019. Her dissertation was titled Nonprofit Leadership Transition: A Preparedness Study. Dr. Rumage currently holds the position of...
Eric Hougan ’01 has been promoted to Associate Professor at Central Washington University, where he earned tenure as of the fall 2019 semester. Catalyst Home Explore our News...
Blaze Farrar ’02 published a stand-alone excerpt of her novel-in-progress in the literary magazine titled Crack the Spine. Catalyst Home Explore our News...
Emily Hoff (formerly Hoehn) ’08 and Maygen Keller ’09 recently coauthored the new book, Scenic Science of the National Parks: An Explorer’s Guide to Wildlife, Geology, and Botany, published by Ten Speed Press. This fun and beautifully illustrated guide breaks...
Angela Hendricks Hulsey ’09 and her Student Leader’s Club at West View Elementary, where she teaches first grade, recently won the Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford’s Community Grant award. Her club is focused on community service and environmental activism and is...
Rachel Rhea Hansen ’10 was recently hired as a family physician for the Byron Clinic of SwedishAmerican Medical Group. Dr. Hansen has a particular interest in women’s health and patient education, which she pursues through her work as a member of the Women’s Quality...
