- Phone: 815.226.4000
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Commencement
State of the University
10/12/2017 10:27 am
Photo Gallery
05/18/2017 9:29 am
Watch the Ceremony Live
05/12/2017 10:47 am
Strategic Planning
01/19/2017 4:31 pm
Campus updates from President Fulcomer
March 26 – Strategic Planning Update
The work on creating our next strategic plans continues. In February, I shared that the Board of Trustees would be meeting to hold a similar event to the one we held for faculty and staff on January 12. That occurred on February 16. Last week, the Strategic Planning Steering Committee met for a full day to review all of the feedback received so far and to begin the next phase of planning. I thank the members of the steering committee for their commitment to this work: Vice Presidents Anderson, Phillips, Mihalyo, and Sundstedt; three faculty – Sean Beckmann (Chemical and Biological Sciences), Kelly James (Library), and Tara Wood (English); and four staff – Maria Diemer (Global Affairs), Jeffrey Hohn (Development), Jen Saylor (Athletics), and Ed Tomaszkiewicz (Facilities).
The current draft of the plan has four themes. The next step of the process is for theme teams to be formed, one around each theme, to do a deep dive into the feedback received and to take that information to develop initiatives and metrics. Theme co-chairs are contacting members of the campus community to serve on these theme teams and they will have some intensive work to do between the beginning of April and mid-May.
February 12 – Planning for a strong future
January 12, 2018 was an important day for Rockford University as faculty and staff gathered for a Strategic Planning Community Day event to officially kick off the creation of our new strategic plan. I thank all those faculty and staff members who attended the event. This new strategic plan will chart our path for the next several years, guiding us beyond the 175th anniversary of our charter in 2022.
The framework for the creation of our next strategic plan is found in Joanne Soliday’s and Rick Mann’s book, “Surviving to Thriving: A Planning Framework for Leaders of Private Colleges and Universities” (Credo Press, 2013). Two copies of the book are currently on reserve in Colman Library. The book explores what thriving institutions look like in the areas of courageous and collaborative leadership, vision, institutional self-esteem, institutional story, habit of reflection and intentionality, culture of planning and innovation, net revenue and strategic finance, student learning and success, and transformative environments. After a long period of time in which we focused on survival, I trust that this next strategic plan will help us move toward becoming a thriving institution.
Alumni Graduate Form
12/12/2016 2:29 pm
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! We look forward to welcoming you to the Rockford University Alumni Association. Whether you are completing your bachelor’s or master’s degree, please know we have a special place in our association just for you!
Here in the Alumni Office, our job is to connect you – be it to job opportunities through alumni, ways to volunteer on campus, old friends you may have lost touch with or to other alums in your area – we are here to help. To ensure we can assist to the best of our abilities, we need a little help from you, our alum.
Please take a moment to complete this graduate information form. The information provided will help us keep you updated on what’s happening on campus and upcoming events and activities you may be interested in! As your information changes through the years, please remember to keep us updated. Contact us whenever your address changes, you get married, change jobs or have other great news to share.
We look forward to working with you as a proud Rockford University Alumnus/a! If you have any questions or need anything at all, please feel free to contact me.
Congratulations!
Kristyn King
Director of Alumni Affairs
(815) 394-5111 or KKing@rockfod.edu
President’s Office
11/08/2016 1:38 pm
Eric W. Fulcomer, Ph.D., is Rockford University’s 18th president and began his duties on July 1, 2016. Previously, Dr. Fulcomer served as the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Rockford University and has more than two decades of leadership experience in higher education.
President’s Annual Reports
Rockford University FY17 Annual Report e-edition
Comcast Newsmakers interview – October 2017
Dr. Fulcomer discusses the Rockford University Student Opportunity Fund.
Press conference announcing the appointment of Dr. Fulcomer as RU’s 18th President:
Articles
- Rockford University’s strategic plan gives it momentum for future, Rockford Register Star, Aug. 11, 2017
- My View: Join us to discuss fascinating, complex story, Rockford Register Star, Sept. 16, 2017
- 2016 Excelsior Finalist Rockford University ‘committed to excellence in classroom,’ Rockford Register Star, Nov. 30, 2016
Affiliations
Rockford University is proud to be affiliated with the following associations:
- The Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities
- Association of American Colleges and Universities
- Illinois Campus Compact
- Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges
- Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference
Commencement
11/03/2016 1:32 pm
Section Menu
Rockford University 164th Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, May 12, 2018
2:00 p.m. (procession beginning at 1:45 p.m.)
Coronado Performing Arts Center
314 N. Main Street
Rockford IL 61101
2018 December Recognition Ceremony
Saturday, December 8, 2018, 1:00 p.m.
Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center
Commencement Tickets
Get your Commencement tickets here.
December Recognition
10/18/2016 1:30 pm
DECEMBER RECOGNITION
Rockford University December Recognition Ceremony
Saturday, December 9, 2017
1:00 p.m.
Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center, Rockford University
All Summer and Fall 2017 degree candidates are invited to participate in the Rockford University December Recognition Ceremony. This event is not an official commencement ceremony; however, it is a day to honor December degree candidates. You are also invited back in May to participate in the 2018 Commencement exercises.
To be eligible to participate in the 2017 December Recognition Ceremony, you must meet at least one of the following requirements:
• All degree requirements completed Summer 2017
• All degree requirements completed Fall 2017
Before the Event
RSVP
If you will be attending this December event, please RSVP by December 4, 2017 to Teddy Phillips, Special Assistant to the President at graduation@rockford.edu with your full name and number of guests attending the ceremony.
ATTIRE
Academic dress is not required for the December Recognition Ceremony; you do not need to purchase a cap and gown. Business attire is appropriate.
GUESTS
We encourage you to invite family members, friends, and other special guests to the ceremony. Tickets are not required for this event, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The entire campus community will also be invited to attend.
PRONUNCIATION
If you think we will have difficulty pronouncing your name during the ceremony, please leave a voicemail at 815.226.3387 no later than December 4, 2017 and kindly spell your last name, and then clearly pronounce your full name.
GRADUATES AND GUESTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Maddox Theatre is accessible for those with special needs. If you or someone else needs special assistance, please contact Teddy Phillips at 815.226.3387.
GRADUATE INFORMATION FORM
Upon your graduation, you will officially become a member of the Rockford University Alumni Association. The Alumni Office plans great activities such as Reunion @ Homecoming, alumni gatherings across the nation, and special events on campus. Please take a moment to complete the Graduate Information Form >>
On the Day of the Event
LINE-UP
Please arrive at the Design Studio in the Clark Arts Center at 12:00 p.m. for check-in and line-up. Please leave all of your personal items with your family; you will not be able to leave anything in the Studio during the ceremony.
CEREMONY
You and your fellow graduates will process into the theatre and sit together as a group. President Eric W. Fulcomer, Ph.D. will welcome you and your guests and introduce a member of the Board of Trustees, who will introduce the ceremony’s speaker. Following the keynote address, you will be acknowledged for your achievements as you are called individually onto the stage for President Fulcomer to personally congratulate you.
RECEPTION
You and your guests are invited to a reception immediately following the event in the lobby of Clark Arts Center.
PARKING
You and your guests should park in Lots B and C. View our campus parking map >>
PICTURES
Family members and friends are welcome to take pictures during the ceremony. We ask that as family and friends position themselves to take photos, they are mindful of those seated around them.
After the Ceremony
DIPLOMAS
Please make sure the SAS Office (Nelson Hall, 1st floor) has correct and updated information (mailing address, telephone numbers, and email addresses) for contacting you. You will not receive your diploma during the December Recognition event. Diplomas are mailed after the ceremony.
MAY COMMENCEMENT
In addition to December Recognition, we invite you to participate in the University’s Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 12, 2018. Details about this event will be mailed to you in February.
QUESTIONS
Should you have any questions, please contact the appropriate office below:
Graduation status/student account questions:
Undergraduate degree candidates: please contact Wayne Cheng at 815.226.4072.
MAT or MBA degree candidates: please contact Graduate Studies at 815.226.4040.
December Recognition event questions:
Please contact Teddy Phillips at 815.226.3387 or graduation@rockford.edu
Department Information
Commencement
Rockford University
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
815-226-3387Teddy Phillips ’05/’07, Special Assistant to the President
Graduation@rockford.edu
Flowers
10/18/2016 1:26 pm
FLOWERS
Flowers will be available for sale at the Coronado Performing Arts Center prior to the Commencement ceremony.
You may pre-order flowers here, to be picked up on the day of the event.
Department Information
Commencement
Rockford University
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
815-226-3387Teddy Phillips ’05/’07, Special Assistant to the President
Graduation@rockford.edu
Guests with Special Needs
10/18/2016 1:24 pm
GUESTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are not provided at the Commencement ceremony and must be brought by the guests. If you or a guest requires a special seat, please let your graduate know so they can indicate this when they request tickets for the ceremony. If this is determined after your graduate has requested tickets, please have him/her e-mail graduation@rockford.edu as soon as possible.
Department Information
Commencement
Rockford University
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
815-226-3387Teddy Phillips ’05/’07, Special Assistant to the President
Graduation@rockford.edu
