Dawn Gile, J.D., ’02 is passionate about serving others and has made a career out of it as a complex litigation lawyer and through her work as president of the Military Spouse JD Network (MSJDN).

Gile graduated from Rockford University with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a minor in French before continuing on to law school.

“I very much value my liberal arts education as it provides necessary critical thinking skills, which is important, especially, for legal practice,” said Gile. “Moreover, it’s made me become a lifelong learner with a passion for constantly reading and trying to understand the world around me.”

After living and working for several years in Chicago, she relocated to Maryland in 2007 due to her husband’s military service. Wanting to give back to her various communities, she became a member of the Rockford University Alumni Board and joined MSJDN, an organization that supports military spouses in the legal profession by advocating for licensing and other work-related accommodations. The organization also provides pro bono legal services to families of deceased service members through a partnership with Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

“I think my psychology background has provided deeper empathy and communication skills, which are important when working on a team, whether it be in a nonprofit leadership setting or in my legal career, as well as when serving clients and the military family community,” said Gile.

Since becoming involved with MSJDN, Gile has served on the board and most recently served as president. In August 2020, she joined the Rockford University Board of Trustees as Alumni Trustee.

“I like being an advocate – both for my clients in my career and for military families in my nonprofit work,” said Gile. “I also enjoy serving on the Rockford University Board of Trustees and remaining connected to the university.”

Most recently, Gile has been accepted to the second cohort for the LBJ Women’s Campaign School at the University of Texas at Austin, which seeks to increase the number of women in elected office and campaign senior staff positions. Gile is one of 70 women– including veterans, nonprofit leaders, business executives, teachers, entrepreneurs, lawyers, and community activists – from more than 13 states who seek to serve their community in the political arena.

Rockford, Ill. (June 04, 2021) – The International Women’s Baseball Center (IWBC) and Rockford University announce a strengthening of its partnership with the creation of a long-term location for the center at the university’s 5100 Building.

The IWBC will conduct business at the 5100 Building, which also houses the university’s Puri School of Business while awaiting the completion of its capital campaign which is raising money for the creation of an activity center and museum located at Beyers Stadium in Rockford.

“The International Women’s Baseball Center is thrilled to open its first physical office on the campus of Rockford University,” says Dr. Kat Williams, President of IWBC. “From our early days in Rockford, Dr. Fulcomer and faculty supported us, worked with us, and are now providing us with a home. It is very fitting that our first office is on this campus where women have always been given a chance to learn and to grow. We are honored to be part of that great legacy.”

IWBC and Rockford University have long-partnered through the university’s Community-Based Learning Program, which links the classroom to the community in an experiential learning process. RU classes and athletic programs have volunteered their time to projects with IWBC and will continue to support the center moving forward.

“Rockford University has a long history of pioneering women and our partnership with the International Women’s Baseball Center is a natural fit as we share a mission to educate, give back to the community, and support the long proud history of women in Rockford and beyond,” said Dr. Eric W. Fulcomer, President of Rockford University. “We are pleased to offer the center a home while they work toward their goal of establishing a permanent cultural center in our city.”

In September, Rockford University will host the Society of American Baseball Research (SABR) and IWBC Women in Baseball Conference.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S BASEBALL CENTER

At the International Women’s Baseball Center, education is the cornerstone of our mission to protect, preserve, and promote all aspects of women’s baseball, both on and off the field.  The IWBC strives to inspire the next generation of players by helping them realize their dreams not only of participating in the sport but also of passing on all they will learn and achieve for generations to come.

ABOUT ROCKFORD UNIVERSITY

Rockford University is a private four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The University offers more than 80 majors, minors, and concentrations, including the bachelor’s degree completion program for a B.S. in Management Studies. Through its Graduate Studies department, degrees are extended to include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), and Master of Education in Urban Education, (M.Ed.). Rockford University is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States. Named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College and is a U.S. News & World Report Best Midwest Regional University, Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,250 full-and part-time students.

ROCKFORD, Ill. (June 2, 2021) – Rockford University, the region’s leading private four-year educational institution, is expanding online access to its special education graduate program to help address the critical need for special education teachers.

Starting this fall, the university’s special education endorsement and master’s degree in special education will be offered fully online. It’s one of only three such online programs to be offered by Illinois-based institutions.

“Expanding our special education training online makes the entire process more flexible for students who might not be able to attend classes in person every week, and it really opens the door to more people wanting to pursue a passion for special education,” said Dr. Gina Braun, Rockford University’s director of special education. “We’re making the training more convenient while still maintaining the personal connection to our highly engaged faculty who understand the unique challenges faced by Illinois teachers.”

Here’s how it works:

• Special education teaching positions require a special education endorsement, and this portion of the program has been restructured so it can be completed in year one. This will help fill the pipeline of teachers faster.
• Students will then finish out their degree in year two in part by completing research and a thesis project in special education, with a goal to submit the work for presentation, publication, or both.

The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the need for more special education expertise. Illinois has nearly 4,500 open teaching positions, according to the Illinois State Board of Education, and more than 600 of those openings are for special education teachers.

In addition to shifting the program online, Rockford University’s team is also working with local school districts and private schools to establish partnerships that will allow employees to complete endorsements and teaching degrees. A partnership with the Belvidere School District, for example, will result in nine additional special education-endorsed teachers by spring 2023.

Visit rockford.edu/med-sped or call 815-226-4040 for more information. Opportunities for financial aid are available.

ABOUT ROCKFORD UNIVERSITY

Rockford University is a private four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The University offers more than 80 majors, minors, and concentrations, including the bachelor’s degree completion program for a B.S. in Management Studies. Through its Graduate Studies department, degrees are extended to include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), and Master of Education in Urban Education, (M.Ed.). Rockford University is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States. Named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College and is a U.S. News & World Report Best Midwest Regional University, Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,250 full-and part-time students.

After she started practicing as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Marissa Ebert ’11, M.S.Ed., LCPC, NCC, RYT-200, realized that some of her clients needed more than just counseling sessions and some needed an entirely different approach to meet their mental health needs. So she opened Alt Yoga in 2018.

The name stands for Alternative Yoga because Ebert’s style isn’t traditional. Her yoga sessions started with metal music, and have now evolved to include all different styles of music.

“I have stayed true to myself and have created a unique style of yoga that has brought in people who have never considered it before,” said Ebert. “I use my knowledge as a counselor and incorporate therapeutic, empowering elements into my practice. It’s fun for me to host and I enjoy seeing my participants have fun and release all of the stress they have been carrying!” 

Once Ebert started working as a counselor, she encountered many different people with various traumas, which helped push her outside the bounds of traditional counseling.

“I have this desire to help as many individuals as I can because I want to make a difference,” said Ebert.

Ebert credits her career path to Joel Lynch, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Psychology, who prompted her to think about life after college during one of his classes.

“His curiosity caused a shift that day, and I started to look onward on what I wanted to do post-graduation,” said Ebert. “It has helped me to do something I am passionate about: connecting with others and helping people.”

During the spring 2021 semester, Ebert brought her knowledge back to RU students as an adjunct professor teaching Child and Adolescent Psychopathology.

“I can still remember what it was like to be a student and get excited about the information I was learning, so to be on the ‘other side’ as a professor has been very rewarding,” said Ebert. “I love being able to teach on this topic because I’m educating students about an area that I am familiar with in regards to my job as an LCPC.” 

Ebert is grateful for her time at Rockford University and the path her post-graduation life has taken, allowing her to share her skills with the community both in and out of the traditional office setting.

“It has been an enlightening journey,” said Ebert.

Commencement held at the football stadium for the first time in university’s history.

Rockford, IL (May 14, 2021) – Rockford University will hold its 167^th Commencement on Saturday, May 15, 2021. The university will award undergraduate and graduate degrees to approximately 370 students from 15 states and 13 countries.

For the first time in the university’s history, commencement exercises will be held at Rockford University’s Sam Greeley Field (football stadium) to allow for social distancing and health and safety protocols amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. To safely accommodate students and their guests, two ceremonies will be held, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Providing this year’s keynote address to the graduates is Molly Barker, Founder of Girls on the Run.

An accomplished triathlete, Barker encourages others to run—toward hope, passion, and self-discovery to solve problems and overcome adversity. With a background in social work, counseling, and teaching, she is the founder of two rapidly growing nonprofit organizations. Since 1996, Girls on the Run has helped more than one million girls across the country unleash their potential, and since 2014, The Red Boot Coalition has provided a space for honest sharing and compassionate listening that changes how we see and engage with our world.  

Barker shares life-changing lessons from her personal journey of self-discovery, inspiring listeners to recognize the power of one person to make a significant difference. Authentic, candid, and relatable on stage, she leaves audiences with a deeper awareness of the world, as well as creative strategies for channeling passions into innovative solutions for your team, organization, or community.

Tickets are required to attend the commencement ceremonies and have been limited to degree candidates and their guests. Both ceremonies are currently at capacity limits and tickets are no longer able to be reserved. No tickets will be available at the door on May 15.

About Rockford University: Rockford University is a four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The University offers approximately 80 majors, minors and concentrations, including the adult accelerated degree completion program for a B.S. in Management Studies. Through its Graduate Studies department, degrees are extended to include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), and a Master of Education in Urban Education (ME.d). Rockford University is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States. Rockford University is also named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College. Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,300 full-and part-time students.

Record Amount of Donations and Donors Enhance Opportunities for Students

Rockford, IL (April 29, 2021) – Rockford University, the region’s leading private four-year institution, today announced that its seventh annual Day of Giving event raised more than $86,500 for its annual fund in just 24 hours through social media platforms.

The Day of Giving, held on April 28, harnessed the power of social media to raise funds that provide support all across our campus in areas like student scholarships, campus improvement, student life, and academic excellence.

This year’s campaign raised $86,594, a 98.5 percent increase over last year with a record number of donors – 341 – a 29 percent increase over last year. Donations were made by individuals across the country and throughout the world and are still being accepted through the Day of Giving website: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/RockfordUniversity/day-of-giving-2021/?a=4487010

“Day of Giving 2021 was an incredible day in the history of Rockford University,” said Stephen Kull, Vice President for Advancement, Rockford University. “Thank you to all of our supporters who continue to step up and invest in Rockford’s only four-year institution. With record-breaking fall enrollment, coupled with another record-breaking Day of Giving, we remain strong and ready to continue positively influencing our students’ lives. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Rockford University Board of Trustees, who, through 100 percent buy-in, provided a significant dollar-for-dollar match. Sincere thanks also to our Alumni Board and other donors who encouraged contributions with matching dollars. We are proud to be known as Rockford’s university and consider it both a privilege and responsibility.”

Each year, Rockford University awards more than $10 million in institutional aid, scholarships, and grants, including $2 million awarded directly to students from the region. This financial aid, made possible in part by generous alumni and friends, puts the university’s top-ranked education within reach for students who might not otherwise be able to attend.

ABOUT ROCKFORD UNIVERSITY

Rockford University is a private four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The University offers more than 80 majors, minors, and concentrations, including the bachelor’s degree completion program for a B.S. in Management Studies. Through its Graduate Studies department, degrees are extended to include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), and Master of Education in Urban Education, (M.Ed.). Rockford University is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States. Named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College and is a U.S. News & World Report Best Midwest Regional University, Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,250 full-and part-time students.

For more information: Emma Bergstrom, Rockford University, 815.847.0472, ebergstrom@rockford.edu

# # #

When Rockford University alumna Carmen (Brenz) Kellerman ’18 was evaluating colleges, she knew she wanted her college experience to be similar to that of high school.

One of the main reasons she choose RU was the small class sizes. “Smaller classes meant more classes with the same people and professors,” said Kellerman. “This allowed me to create friendships and relationships with my peers and professors.”

Now, as the event and program coordinator at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Kellerman uses the relationship-building skills she learned at RU to forge connections with co-workers, local businesses, and young professionals in the area. As part of her role at the Chamber, Kellerman helps run IGNITE, a young professionals group.

“This role has taught me so much; how to be a leader, how to be a successful young professional, and all the great ways our young professionals are connecting with the community,” said Kellerman.

During her time as a student, Kellerman was involved in many organizations on campus and in the community, from serving as a student orientation leader to interning at the Boone County Council on Aging. Kellerman’s favorite memory from her time as a student was being part of the RU Psych Society’s Giving Tree program for Christmas, which provides families at the St. Elizabeth Catholic Community Center with presents during the holiday season.

“I helped run it all four years and missed it instantly after I graduated,” said Kellerman. “I love giving back to my community and this allowed me to do that. Knowing that I was helping children get gifts for Christmas was something I looked forward to every year!”

During her time at RU, Kellerman’s love of volunteering grew and she now serves on the advisory council for the Institute of World Affairs and Trade (IWAT) at Rockford University.

Kellerman’s advice for current and future students is “to keep an open mind! By that I mean, don’t be afraid to ask questions, try the opportunities given to you and be open to learning about the world around you.”

Kellerman also shares her love for Rockford University with her sister, a current RU student.

Susan Schmitz raised two sons and saw them graduate from college. Then it was her turn.

At age 69, Susan Schmitz graduated from Rockford University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in management studies. Unlike many adults who return to complete a degree, Susan didn’t do it for career advancement. In fact, she retired six months before graduating. Instead, Susan got a degree for the best reason of all: herself.

“I wanted to see it through,” she said. “As my sons earned their degrees, I wanted my opportunity.”

Susan grew up in England, at a time when college wasn’t a popular option for many women. She focused instead on raising her family and didn’t consider college until she was introduced to some flower arranging classes at the College of DuPage. She took enough courses for a certificate program, then continued to complete an associate degree in ornamental horticulture.

Susan moved to Rockford after remarrying and, as a newcomer, was looking for an opportunity to meet people. She learned about the flexible class schedules and variety of student backgrounds at Rockford University, then quickly decided it was a good fit for her.

For the next five years, Susan took classes at Rockford University while working a full-time job in human resources for a group of greenhouses and also supervising the care of her mother back in England. She credits the school’s flexibility with allowing her to pursue all of those endeavors at once.

“If I had to fly to England, I could time it between class offerings and not have to take off an entire year,” she said.

For Susan, learning about management while simultaneously living it through her job was fascinating.

“It was very interesting to me to learn more about my field,” she said. “It definitely opens your eyes to different viewpoints.”

Now with a bachelor’s degree behind her, Susan has found a passion for learning she didn’t know she had. She is taking time now to relax and enjoy working in her garden but entertains the idea of completing a master’s degree in her 70s.

“The world is open to me at the moment,” Susan said. “I’m just keeping my options open and seeing what comes my way.”

This article was originally published in Rockford University’s alumni magazine, Catalyst.

For those of you who do not know, Beyer Stadium was home to the Rockford Peaches women’s baseball team that played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1943 to 1954. If you have yet to do so, watch A League of Their Own which chronicles the ups and downs of their first year as a team. 

The International Women’s Baseball Center (IWBC) is heading a project to build the International Women’s Baseball Center at the field. The Center’s mission statement says that “education is the cornerstone of our mission to protect, preserve, and promote all aspects of women’s baseball, both on and off the field.” Their goal is to “inspire the next generation of players by helping them realize their dreams not only of participating in the sport but also of passing on all they will learn and achieve for generations to come.”

In following this statement, the IWBC is planning on incorporating education and active participation in baseball into the center facility. This will include a women’s baseball museum next to the field and an activity center across the street from the field that will house batting cages, pitching cages, and other amenities that the community will have access to. It is the IWBCs hope that with these new buildings, the sport of baseball will continue to be an important part of the Rockford identity.  

Recently, a RHET 351 class worked on a Community-Based Learning project to conduct research on the community and develop a plan for the IWBC to build connections with the neighborhood around Beyer Stadium. The class looked into the demographics, community partners, resources, and other activity centers within the area. In addition to providing the research, they also developed materials including brochures, an infographic, and fundraising information that will be given to the people living within the Blackhawk Community to help spread awareness about the new center. These materials also include a survey developed by the students that will be administered to the Boys and Girls Clubs within the community to gain a sense of what the children want to see at a new center and to provide some data on what the kids in the Rockford area know about Beyer Stadium. This was an exciting collaboration for Rockford University and the IWBC to engage in, as it helped the students learn about the community alongside the IWBC and act as consultants for the organization. 

If you are interested in being involved in the IWBCs plans in the Blackhawk community or learning more about their endeavors, please contact JACCE@rockford.edu for more information.

For Eric Hougan ’01 and Lesley Irizarry-Hougan ’00, Rockford University was the perfect launching pad for more than just their careers: it prepared them for a life together.

The alumni were acquaintances even before they arrived at Rockford University. But it was at the university that the pair became good friends.

“We are both really competitive,” said Eric. “We ended up in class together and would compete for the best scores. We struck up a friendship and really connected.”

Over the years, that friendship grew and the Hougans were married in 2003 at the university’s Fisher Memorial Chapel. Today, they are parents to three children and live in Seattle.

While both Eric and Lesley graduated with business degrees, their careers took very different paths. Eric pursued both master’s and doctorate degrees in education, and today works as an education professor at Central Washington University. Lesley attended Northern Illinois University Law School and now runs her own immigration law firm.

Both of the Hougans point back to their education at Rockford University as critical to their professions now.

“As a business owner, I use my business skills quite a bit – especially marketing,” said Lesley. “There are a lot of takeaways from a business education.”

The couple credits the school’s international focus for opening their eyes to experiences around the world. Lesley enjoyed “meeting international students and learning about different countries, different cultures, and different languages,” she said. “It was really neat.”

For Eric, that point was driven home through his study abroad experience through the school, when he spent time at Regent’s University in London.

“Growing up as a hometown boy, that was a really good way to be exposed to other cultures,” Eric said. “We appreciated being exposed to things we wouldn’t have otherwise. Rockford University pushed us out of our comfort zone, and taking risks is something that has stayed with me.”

This article was originally published in Rockford University’s alumni magazine, Catalyst.