On Wednesday, we officially broke ground on our brand new, multipurpose, turf athletic field! “This new field is more than just a place to play,” said Rockford University president Dr. Patricia Lynott at the official groundbreaking. “It’s a...
Communications
175 Years
09/09/2021 10:51 am
175 Years of Rockford University
On February 25, 1847, the charter was signed for Rockford Female Seminary, the predecessor to Rockford College, and today’s Rockford University. A women-only institution, Rockford Female Seminary was the companion school to Beloit College, which had been established for men in 1846.
Fast forward to February 25, 2022, and Rockford University commemorates 175 years of educational excellence, influencing the lives of tens of thousands of both men and women.
In January, we kicked off a year-long celebration of all things RU. Watch our website, social media channels, and newsletters for announcements over the coming months for how you can get involved and join the festivities.
175th Anniversary Celebration Events
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2022
- Gala 2022: A Celebration of Campuses and Communities
- Regents Hall, Burpee Student Center | 5:30 p.m. cocktail hour | 7:00 p.m. dinner
- The university will host its annual gala, this year entitled Rockford University: Celebrating 175 Years of Campuses & Communities. In this black-tie optional fete—the first of many exciting anniversary events—we will celebrate the people and places that have made Rockford home for generations of students.
- Register today at https://www.rockford.edu/gala/.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022
- Charter Day Convocation
- Maddox Theatre, 4-5 p.m.
- This annual event commemorating the signing of the university’s charter includes an academic procession and special guest speakers. A light reception will follow.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2022
- 175th Anniversary Historical Exhibition
- Rockford University Art Gallery, Clark Arts Center, Evening 5- 7 p.m.
- An array of historical artifacts from the university’s archives will be on display in this unique and engaging exhibit, which will run for two weeks. Join us for an evening cocktail reception to open the exhibit and immerse yourself in the little-seen relics of our past.
FALL 2022
- Rockford University Ramble 5K
- Rockford University, October 1, 2022
- Sign up to run (or walk) in a 5K race that will have you winding through our tree-lined campus just as the leaves are starting to turn. Taking place during Homecoming and Reunion weekend, the Ramble is the perfect way to warm up before cheering our football team on to victory.
- Reunion 2022
- Rockford University, Friday, September 30 through Sunday, October 2, 2022
- Come back to celebrate with us again! If you’d like to help make reunion a fun-filled time for your class, please contact us at alumni@rockford.edu.
175 Faces of Rockford University
As this institution celebrates the 175th anniversary of our original charter, it seems like an ideal time to celebrate 175 Faces of Rockford University. This celebration will include a social media campaign commemorating 175 alums, founders, presidents, professors, and other notable people who positively affected the history of Rockford University or provided service to the broader community. Each person recognized must have a special connection to Rockford Female Seminary, Rockford College, or Rockford University. Not all nominations will be included.
On February 25, 2022, Rockford University marked 175 years since the charter’s signing to create our resilient institution that many people know and love. Watch the Charter Day Convocation Ceremony below.
Marketing and Communications Department
Johnson Alumni Center
5050 E. State Street Rockford, IL 61108
Directory Updates
07/29/2021 11:01 am
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2020 Graduate Info For Catalyst
11/02/2020 5:15 pm
Rockford University Class of 2020,
We want to recognize you in the upcoming issue of our alumni magazine, Catalyst. If you’d like a chance to be featured, please share with us any photos you took of yourself celebrating in your cap and gown. Be sure to include all information requested below so we can recognize you properly.
Photo Submission
10/30/2020 12:13 pm
Photo Submission for December Recognition Ceremony
Project Requests
07/15/2019 3:59 pm
Project Requests
The Office of Marketing and Communications offers services to campus clients in the following areas:
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Please send project requests to communications@rockford.edu.
ATTENTION FACULTY/STAFF: To report a broken link or a 404 error, please fill out this form.
FAQ:
Q: What size does a portal banner need to be?
A: 1300 x 615px
Q: What size do RU Stream banners need to be?
A: 1920 x 950px
*The Marketing/Communications team approve portal and stream banners. Any questions on banners can be sent to Sara Myers-Hogshead (shogshead@rockford.edu) and/or Kayla Eddy (keddy@rockford.edu).
**Please submit your banner ONLY two weeks before your event date. Please note to keep important info away from the bottom as they get cut off depending on the size of the monitor.
To request to post a portal banner or RU stream banner, go here.
Marketing & Communications
Rockford University
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
Communications@rockford.eduKayla Eddy, Marketing Coordinator
keddy@rockford.edu
815-394-5041
What We Do
With extensive experience in both print and digital media, we collaborate with all campus offices and departments to help achieve their marketing and communication goals.
We concept, plan, write, design, and execute materials and communication that reaches out to internal and external audiences; elevates awareness of the University; attracts people to events; and delivers important information effectively and creatively through articulating and implementing Rockford University’s branding initiatives. When a project demands expertise or equipment beyond what’s available on campus, we coordinate with outside vendors and consultants to complete your project.
How We Work
Due to a large volume of requests, we must receive all materials for your project at least six weeks prior to the date of your project or event. For smaller projects and updates we request a two-week lead time. This will help us to prioritize and schedule various on-going communications accordingly.
*View industry standards for project lead times
To submit a request, please email Sara at shogshead@rockford.edu or Kayla at keddy@rockford.edu.
Please understand that emailing us does not guarantee that a webpage, publication, or a photographer will be available. We are happy to work with you to find the best solutions to meet your goals.
Marketing & Communications
11/02/2018 2:52 pm
Marketing and Communications
The Marketing and Communications department works with our colleagues across campus to aggregate, curate, and steward the Rockford University brand and elevate the contributions of our campus community to both internal and external audiences, including students, faculty and staff, trustees, donors, the media and the general public.
Our Services
As your strategic marketing partner, we provide our campus community with a variety of services. Our in-house team of creative professionals will work with you to tailor our services to help you in the most cost-effective, efficient, and convenient manner.
Press and Media Requests
Marketing and Communications is here to promote your events and news to the local media via press releases. Please send your press release request up to four weeks in advance. Press releases will be sent 1-2 times and posted on the website before the event.
All media relations, except for athletic media relations, must go through the Marketing and Communications department. If local media reaches out to you personally, please loop Marketing and Communications in on the conversation via communications@rockford.edu.
Social Media and Event Promotion
Rockford University has official social media accounts on the following platforms: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube. If you would like to submit something to be added to the social media calendar, please send all information to keddy@rockford.edu up to four weeks in advance. The social media calendar is typically created a month in advance. Want to collaborate on content? Email keddy@rockford.edu.
Clubs and departments are welcome to create their own social media pages on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or TikTok. Before creating a page you must reach out to Marketing and Communications at keddy@rockford.edu for approval. The log-in information must be stored by Marketing and Communications to avoid the account being lost when students graduate or faculty/staff retire.
Reggie the Regent
Want Reggie to personally visit your upcoming event? Email RU Marketing and Communications at communications@rockford.edu.
Merit
Merit is a media platform that helps RU publish online news about student accomplishments through students’ hometown newspapers and via social media. News can also be shared with students’ high schools and elected officials. RU proudly shares their good news on our Rockford University Merit page and our Student Achievements- Merit page.
Marketing & Communications
Rockford University
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
Communications@rockford.eduKayla Eddy, Marketing Coordinator
keddy@rockford.edu
815-394-5041
Per the Rockford University Brand Standards Guide, any marketing projects intended for off-campus audiences must be reviewed and approved by the Marketing department before distribution. Please note, the Marketing/Communications staff in this guide is now incorrect. You can find a list of our current team here.
Latest News Releases and Stories
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On June 12, 2025, Rockford University hosted our annual Golf Play Day at the beautiful Aldeen Golf Club in Rockford, IL. This signature event raises critical funds to support our Athletics programs, which serve more than 30% of our student body. This year’s event was...
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RPS 205 Students commit to attend Education Pathway program
03/21/2018 10:18 am
The Rockford Public School District 205 School Board recognized 20 seniors at last night’s board meeting who have committed to participation in the Education Pathway program at Rockford University. The students come from high schools East, Jefferson, Auburn and Guilford.
First introduced in the spring of 2016, Education Pathway students could first began enrolling in the program in the fall of 2017. The Education Pathway program’s goal is to attract RPS 205 students to the teaching profession specifically to stay and work in RPS 205. The program begins in the middle school with seventh and eighth graders discussing a teaching career. It continues in high school with an education pathway, then transitions into a college degree program through Rockford University at a significantly reduced cost. If hired in RPS 205, program graduates can also receive a master’s degree in urban education cost-free from 
Rockford University.
Rockford University congratulates the incoming Education Pathway students and commends them on their decision to pursue a career in education.
Read more in Rockford Register Star’s article – Rockford Public Schools celebrates first full class of future teachers
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