JANE ADDAMS

Today, the spirit of alumna Jane Addams, Class of 1881, lives on at Rockford University. We believe each and every one of us has the ability to change the world, just as Jane did through her many societal contributions.

Her father was an Illinois legislator, a friend of Abraham Lincoln, and a Rockford University trustee. It is not surprising then, that John Addams insisted that his youngest daughter attend Rockford University (then Rockford Female Seminary), even though she begged to attend an “eastern school.” At Rockford University, she was elected president of her class and was chosen to deliver the 1881 valedictory address. With these words, she presaged the remarkable impact she would one day make: “We stand today united in a belief in beauty, genius and courage, and that these can transform the world.”

Jane Addams began her lifelong crusade for justice and equality not long after she graduated from Rockford University when, in 1889, she established Hull-House in Chicago. There, she created a myriad of programs – nurseries, university courses, art classes, sports leagues – for people of all beliefs and ethnic backgrounds. During the 1890s, Hull-House gained a national and international reputation as a radical, innovative, successful institution, and Jane became known as the nation’s leading change agent. She prodded America to respond to the terrible ills of industrial development: child labor, infant mortality, urban crowding and unsanitary conditions, unsafe workplaces, juvenile delinquency, unemployment and poverty wages.

As a social reformer, Jane was a force to be reckoned with. Her efforts led to Illinois’ first child labor law, the first eight-hour work day law for women, and the first juvenile court. As a suffragette, she championed women’s right to vote. As a humanitarian, she devoted her life to the causes of peace, freedom and justice. At one point, then FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover proclaimed Addams to be “the most dangerous woman in America,” in part for her peace efforts.

Students at Rockford University today, like Jane Addams before them, are asked to think critically, act compassionately, and embrace the ideals of citizenship. Only time will tell if any will win the Nobel Peace Prize like Jane Addams did in 1931. In the meantime, they are learning how thoughtful, active citizens can make a very real difference in the world.

Biographies of Jane Addams

Jane Addams (1860-1935) was from Cedarville, near Freeport, Ill. Her father was a prominent businessman and a trustee of Rockford Female Seminary where Jane’s two older sisters also attended.

• Chronology of Jane’s Life
• “Jane Addams, Mother of Social Work”
• Jane Addams’ Biography from the Nobel Foundation

Hull-House

Since 1963, Hull-House has been maintained as a museum by the University of Illinois at Chicago. Toynbee Hall in London, which Jane Addams visited in 1888, was the first “settlement house.” It was the inspiration for her founding of Hull-House the following year. Funding and Development of Hull-House >>

The settlement house movement began in England as a way of meeting the needs of the poor at a time before government had accepted a role in social welfare. Until then, the poor, when they were considered at all, were often only considered subjects of charity. The settlement house movement helped give rise to social work as a profession.

Colleagues from Rockford University

Ellen Starr and Julia Lathrop met Jane Addams as students at Rockford Female Seminary. Starr went on to co-found Hull-House with Jane Addams. Lathrop joined them a short time later.

Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom

This organization was founded by Jane Addams with other peace activists in 1915. Her book, “Peace and Bread in Time of War,” describes the birth of the organization. It was her work with the WILPF that earned her a Nobel Prize in 1931. Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom >>

The Writings of Jane Addams

Jane Addams found time among her many other activities to author 11 books and numerous articles. A few are available in full-text online.

• Twenty Years at Hull House by Jane Addams
• Jane Addams Quotes
• Jane Addams Valedictory Speech, Rockford Female Seminary, Class of 1881

ALAN HUTCHCROFT ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK

Spend Spring Break in Starkville (Mississippi, that is.)

The Alan Hutchcroft Alternative Spring Break (AHASB) provides students the opportunity to participate in Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge. This alternative to more traditional spring break activities has become an important part of the Rockford University experience. In 2005, the trip was named in honor of the late Dr. Alan Hutchcroft, Rockford University Professor Emeritus of Chemistry. The Collegiate Challenge is an alternative spring break program that provides opportunities for university students to spend their school break building a house in partnership with the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. It is a tradition of Rockford University to partner with Habitat for Humanity in Starkville, Miss. AHASB lives out the mission and vision of Rockford University by providing a life-changing experience as students serve the community of Starkville.

A Collegiate Challenge trip may be the best spring break trip you will ever have. Not only do you help people in need — it’s also fun! You’ll have the chance to improve your carpentry skills, connect with new people while making a real difference in Habitat for Humanity’s work of eliminating substandard housing.

Commemorative Videos of Past Alan Hutchcroft Alternative Spring Break Trips 

Like the Alan Hutchcroft Alternative Spring Break (AHASB) Facebook page

JANE ADDAMS CENTER FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT (JACCE)

The Jane Addams Center for Civic Engagement (JACCE) provides opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to expand and apply their knowledge while being civically engaged through service projects, volunteer opportunities, and programs. JACCE achieves this vision by pursuit of the center’s mission: To advance the ideals of Rockford University through the study and practice of citizenship, service, and lifelong learning, JACCE provides community service opportunities, community-based learning, fellowship programs, and civically engaged events for the University and the Rockford community.

Rockford University is a member of Campus Compact, a national coalition of universities dedicated to the promotion of community service.

• View the official Web site for the National Campus Compact at www.compact.org
• Learn more about the Illinois Campus Compact at www.illinoiscampuscompact.org

What Is Civic Engagement at Rockford University?

Civic Engagement at Rockford University is a host of activities that connect our students, faculty, and staff with communities beyond our campus to promote thought and action that serve the greater good. We embrace the Thomas Ehrlich definition: “Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes.” [1]

Our aim in using civic engagement as a learning tool is to produce meaningful service experiences for students, faculty, and staff as they engage in local and distant communities. The ideal relationship among all involved parties is reciprocal and represents a win-win scenario. The community partners, for example, explain their needs; then our students and faculty/staff work with the community partners to find a sustainable way to address those needs. This produces a meaningful experience for students by serving as a foundation to enhance their work in the classroom, encourage them to consider questions that don’t have easy answers, and explore alternative solutions with a new social consciousness. Civic Engagement on our campus is a part of both the classroom experience through Community-Based Learning classes and service activities through programs and clubs in Student Life. Therefore, our brand of civic engagement ideally transcend into other classes and college experiences (see the wheel below), while setting a foundation for when students move into the world as professionals.

We graphically represent our goal of civic engagement with the Wheel of Civic Engagement. [2]

[1] Ehrlich, Thomas (ed) Civic Responsibility and Higher Education. American Council on Education, Phoenix, Oryx Press, 2000, Print.
[2] Karin Cotterman, 2003‌

JACCE Events
Each year, JACCE sponsors, coordinates, and/or partners with local organizations to provide and promote events to our campus community during the Fall and Spring semesters. Some of these events include:

• Rock River Valley Blood Drive
• Fire Fighter Battle
• Month of Peace
• Voter Registration and Candidate Debate/Forum
• Make a Difference Day
• Veteran’s Day Service
• Hunger and Homelessness Week
• Martin Luther King Day of Service
• Trip to the Lincoln Presidential Museum and Illinois State Capitol
• Black History Month Celebration
• Women’s History Month Celebration
• Alan Hutchcroft Alternative Spring Break
• National Day of Unplugging
• Student Lobby Day in Springfield, IL