By Sara Myers-Hogshead, Digital Media & Communications Specialist 

Rockford University alum and local Julia Schade spends the majority of her time in the Big Apple aka New York City these days, rather than in her hometown of Rockford. Schade, currently the musical director of Six, has recently been inducted in the Rockford Public Schools 205 Fine Arts Hall of Fame.

The district-wide event highlights individuals and groups each year as a way to celebrate the past and current successes of the fine arts in the district. Although Schade said she’s rarely in Rockford, she made a special trip home for the April 21 induction ceremony. 

“I miss working at Rockford University, I miss working with Timm Adams and playing for the shows and working with students,” Schade said. “I really love working in education and Rockford University was a great fit for me.”

The event was held at The Standard, 214 East State St., in Rockford. Schade is an Auburn High School Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) alumna and graduated in 2006 from Rockford University’s Performing Arts program with a B.A. in Music.

Schade said that getting to see students come in as freshmen and then playing with them during their senior seminars has been rewarding. 

“I feel really excited and proud,” Schade said about the recognition. “I’m proud to have come from Rockford and to have grown up in Rockford public schools.”

Schade said she remembers having talented music teachers growing up who could tell she really had a passion for music. Her teachers were very encouraging when she started to take piano lessons, she said. 

Later, after Schade graduated from Rockford University, she did a patriotic themed recital and invited her elementary school music teacher Mrs. Simon to come and play the piccolo part on the song, “Stars and Stripes Forever,” and she did, Schade said. 

Schade said she also remembers being involved in the music and art scene for years as an accompanist in both RPS choirs and musicals, and the musicals at RU. 

“I liked giving back and being in an educational environment,” she said. ”I feel happy that I was always able to support myself as a musician in Rockford. There was always work for me to do there.”

She added that she wouldn’t be where she is today without her opportunities in Rockford, which was the catalyst to her moving to Chicago and meeting the team for Six the musical.

Chapter “Six” 

Though the musical Six was supposed to open in March 2020. The world had another plan and Broadway was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Schade came back to Rockford and worked in Rockford University’s Performing Arts department where she taught classes with friend and mentor Timm Adams, and worked as a co-music director on the production of “Legally Blonde.”

Finally in August of 2021, she returned to NYC and began work on Six again.

“The show felt different, same lyrics, same tech,” she said. There were many who had lost people in that time and gone through financial troubles. It was just so much trauma so the show felt different.”

The show centers around the six wives of Henry VIII and is presented like a pop music concert. 

Despite the pandemic causing delays, the musical went on to achieve immense success, she said. Schade performed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, and also the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade live with the cast. 

The musical was also nominated for multiple Tony Awards and Schade and the cast performed a musical number live at the Tony Awards on June 12, 2022, also her birthday, which she said was also a very big day for her. 

“My 44th birthday (I was) performing at the Tony Awards,” she said. “I have to tell you the stage manager still managed to do a little birthday thing for me at the theater with treats, it was so cute.”

“Six” won two Tony awards that night for Best Costume Design and Best New Musical Score, she said. 

Schade continues to perform on Broadway, as part of the backing band in Six, at least 5 to 6 times a week, and as musical director. Tickets are still available for the musical from now until September 2023, here.

Our last catch up with Schade in 2021 can be read here. 

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by Aris Sherwood

Meet Mack Freeze!

Freeze is a Rockford University Criminal Justice major, set to graduate in a couple of weeks (on May 13!). During her time here, Freeze was active with the Campus Activities Board (CAB), and was the SGA representative (Student Government Association) for CAB. She also helped start the Esports program, where she became the first women E-Sports captain as co-captain of the Overwatch team.  

“Being a part of the Campus Activities Board and being a part of the Esports program, they gave me a family, and helped me be as successful as possible on campus,” Freeze said.  

Knowing how important it is to join clubs and activities on campus, Freeze hopes to help encourage students to get involved on campus when she starts her new job as an Admissions Counselor here at RU, right after graduation.  

“I’m going to be able to spread the joy that Rockford University has brought me,” she said. “I am going to be able to bring in incoming freshmen and help them understand the benefits of Campus Activities Board, and clubs like SAGA, and all that’s open to the campus to create a safe space for those who need a safe space to learn and further their education.” 

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.

By Andrea V. Watson, Director of Marketing & Communications

Rockford University’s Marketing and Communications copywriter, Sara Myers, has been writing and editing for most of her life. That passion and love of storytelling was recently acknowledged when she received a prestigious writing award last month for an article she published in the Beloit Daily News. 

Prior to joining RU, Myers worked as a reporter with the Adams Publishing Group, who owns Beloit Daily News. Her story, “Closing the ‘Boyfriend Loophole’ in Gun Law May Impact Domestic Violence,” received First Place in the “Localized National Story” category of the 2022 Wisconsin Newspaper Association’s (WNA) Foundation Better Newspaper Contest.  Learn more about her award here.

The judges’ comments were:

“Really great job of presenting the data in a way that is simple to understand. This story was well-researched and incredibly well-written. Although guns being used in homicides more often than any other weapon seems obvious, the writer does a great job of including statistics to drive home the point. Using the local cases along with statewide data really localizes the national issue for the reader. This could be a textbook example for the category. Also, the compelling quote at the end resonates well. Excellent choice for the ending.” 

“I was very surprised to hear I won this award,” Myers said. “I want to thank the judges for giving me this honor and thank them for their kind words. I also want to thank my family, friends, past editors (especially Clint Wolf of Beloit Daily News), colleagues, college professors and my boyfriend, Ian for supporting me and my career.” 

Myers is a Rockford, Ill. native who said she grew up knowing she wanted to write professionally. 

“At the age 14 I was inspired to go into the journalism field after reading magazines like Rolling Stone and Alternative Press,” she said. 

Myers attended schools in the Winnebago School District and graduated from Winnebago High School in May of 2013.  She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in Platteville, Wisconsin with her B.S. in Media Studies, with an emphasis in Journalism and a minor in Public Relations.  

Her resume includes an Editor-In-Chief position for her college’s newspaper, a radio DJ, and both editor and multimedia editor roles. Myers has written news and feature articles, as well as produced video content for both editorial and marketing projects.  

When she’s not writing professionally, Myers said she enjoys writing songs and poetry. She also spends her free time attending concerts with friends or her boyfriend Ian. Besides loving and listening to music, Myers said she loves spending time with her dog Pearl, and friends and family, especially her new niece, Georgia, who turned 1 in February. 

RU’s Center for Learning Strategies program has received a certification from an internationally recognized organization for its peer tutoring program.

ROCKFORD, Ill. — Rockford University is proud to announce that its Center for Learning Strategies (CLS) program has earned its Level 1 and Level II Advanced Certification from the internationally recognized College Reading & Learning Association (CRLA).

In the academic community CRLA is a group of student-oriented professionals active in the fields of reaching, learning assistance, developmental education, tutoring, and peer educating at the college/adult level. CRLA documents selfless service and is a good application-builder for scholarships, graduate school and other academic pursuits. 

This certification provides RU the opportunity to set professional standards of skill and training for tutors and peer educators.

“Receiving the College Reading and Learning Association Level I & Level II Advanced certification is a huge accomplishment for our department and our institution,” said Karen Walker, Ed.D., Dean of Academic Support, Center for Learning Strategies Coordinator, Men of Color Mentorship Program.

 “Over the past three years our team has worked diligently to enhance our peer-facilitated academic support services,” Walker said. “Our peer tutoring program is now aligned with internationally recognized best practices in higher education and our Peer Tutors can earn recognition for their efforts to help other students succeed in their coursework at RU.”

The CLS team has worked to develop Peer Tutor training curriculum and manuals that are aligned with the CRLA tutor training sessions for Peer Tutors. 

According to Walker, for 30 plus years more than 2,000 college tutor training programs around the world have received CRLA certification at one or more Levels. CRLA-certified programs demonstrate high standards.

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For questions or interviews, please contact the Communications Department at Communications@Rockford.edu.

By Sara Myers-Hogshead, Digital Media & Communications Specialist

All are welcome at Rockford University, even fur friends. So, it’s not uncommon to see a group of therapy dogs greeting students, faculty and staff. The program launched in 2017 and has been a comforting experience for all involved, according to the group’s founder.

“The program started off with just two dogs and it got instant attention and was great with the students,” said Greta Alfano, who started the therapy dog group. 

The goal, she said, was to help reduce stress. She knew firsthand how effective a therapy dog could be for someone dealing with a lot of stress, she said. Alfano said she was originally inspired to get her dogs certified as therapy dogs after her first golden retriever passed away from Lymphoma. 

She said that even though he was in pain, he was still able to provide comfort and support. After his passing, Alfano said she welcomed another golden retriever into her family, Rigatoni. She said she knew instantly that he was going to be a therapy dog. 

Alfano started the group at RU after her daughter,  who attended the university and has since graduated, suggested she bring therapy dogs to campus. Alfano’s two dogs, Rigatoni and rough collie Biscotti, are both certified therapy dogs, who have visited nearby schools, hospitals, court houses, and more to help support those in the community in need of the service. 

The therapy dog group at RU has grown from two dogs to now a dozen. The group and their owners usually make their appearances during midterms and right before finals. On average, they can be seen on the RU campus at least three times a semester, Alfano said.

On March 24, Rockford University students, staff, faculty and visitors were greeted by five furry friends on the first floor of the Burpee Student Center. The therapy dogs and their handlers were available for anyone who wanted to stop and say hello.

Alfano, who has helped lead the group for the last six years, brought her rough collie Biscotti that particular day. 

The other dogs in the therapy dog group that visited March 24 included maltese/yorkie (or “Morkie”) Oliver and his handler Dawn Pfluger; golden Retriever Charlie and his handler Kelly Benet from Madison, WI; Golden Retriever Voight (the second) and his handler Melanie Boyd; and Corgi Whisper and her handler Claudia Ashbrenner. 

Whisper was named after Queen Elizabeth II’s corgi named Whisper, Ashbrenner said. 

“She’s been to (Rockford) City Hall and the 911 Call Center,” Ashbrenner said while talking about where she and Whisper had been to volunteer in town. 

Sophomore students Stephanie Ermilio and Ana Varela stopped by Burpee and were happy to see the therapy dogs on the first floor. Ermilo said the dogs give off a type of tranquility. It also made her think of her chihuahua at home. 

“It’s nice to chill here and give them a belly rub,” Ermilio said with a laugh.  

The therapy dogs will be back at RU at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, April 27, on Burpee’s first floor.

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Eligible students can receive the Horizon Grant annually for up to four years. The Computer Science Department will now offer Cybersecurity as a major. 

Rockford, Ill. — Rockford University Interim President Patricia Lynott announced Tuesday, April 18, a new initiative to give students access to higher education and a new major to prepare them for the changing workforce.

University officials held a news conference at 10 a.m. on campus to share details. The Rockford University Horizon Grant allows eligible prospective Illinois students to attend the university for $5,000 a year. This grant will benefit new freshmen and transfer students, particularly those in the Rockford area, who want to stay close to home. The RU Horizon Grant will give eligible students an affordable, exceptional higher educational option. They will be able to achieve their academic and career goals at an affordable cost.

“We are so committed to access and affordability, and trying to find a reasonable way to get as many qualified students here as possible to take advantage of this education,” Dr. Lynott said. “The Rockford University Horizon Grant program is a huge opportunity for many students that we hope we will be able to serve.”

Those eligible for the Horizon grant must be Illinois residents, admitted to Rockford University and MAP and Pell-eligible. 

The RU Horizon Grant is removing barriers, according to RU Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Director of Student Administrative Services Todd Fischer-Free.

“A lot of what we are doing here at the university right now is planning for the future,” he said. “What’s on the horizon? We have some incredible programs, but we also know that there’s a segment in our local area in the region and within the state where finances are a barrier to higher education.”

The university is working closely with state and federal programs to provide eligible prospective Illinois students with financial aid in the amount of $31,500 a year, or 86% of tuition, he said. That leaves $5,000 as the amount that the student and family will have to contribute toward tuition.

“We’re really being forward-looking and embracing the community feels pretty great,” Fischer-Free said. 

University officials also announced a new cybersecurity major that will be housed in the Computer Science Department. Nationally, there are about 755,000 jobs available in the cybersecurity field. 

“Introducing this new major is really about responding to a changing market,” said Rockford University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Perry. “We also recognize that we are first and foremost educators, but as we educate, we’re educating them to be part of a growing and changing world.”

“We were really excited today to make these announcements,” Dr. Lynott said. 

Learn more about the Rockford University Horizon Grant here.

Learn more about the Cybersecurity here.

More than ever, businesses and other organizations depend on effectively managing and maintaining information and protecting digital infrastructures. When you major in Computer Science with a concentration in cybersecurity at Rockford University, you’ll learn the skills necessary to keep vital information secure.

With 3.5 million cybersecurity job openings projected worldwide by 2025, cybersecurity professionals are in high demand. Graduating with a degree in computer science with an emphasis in cybersecurity will create significant job opportunities in a variety of industries such as healthcare, technology, financial services, government, manufacturing and more.

At Rockford University, the cybersecurity track offers you the opportunity to learn to build and maintain secure networks while benefiting from a thoughtfully crafted curriculum. With required courses in statistics, criminal justice, and business law and ethics, in addition to core courses in computer science and information technology, you will receive a well-rounded education that will set you up for success in the cybersecurity industry.

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 offering a B.S. in management studies and accounting studies. Through its graduate programs, 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 as a U.S. News & World Report Best Midwest Regional University, Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,250 full-and part-time students.

More photos from the press conference:

Nearly 150 RPS 205 eleventh-grade high school students took part in a business trade show April 14 as part of RPS’ Business & Entrepreneur pathway. 

ROCKFORD, Ill. — RPS 205 hosted a career training/business competition on Friday, April 14, for nearly 150 eleventh grade students from Auburn, East, Guilford, and Jefferson high schools in Rockford. 

The event served as a trade show where students participated in competitions. Students developed businesses to sell their products/services such as smoothies and wireless charging panel backpacks. 

They sold their products virtually through a platform provided by Virtual Enterprise International (VEI), which is a course curriculum that provides students authentic business experiences to prepare them for a global business environment. The competition served as a hands-on learning experience, allowing students to demonstrate what they’ve learned in a real world setting.

Community business partners joined RPS 205 Friday to judge the competitions. 

“Every high school student at Rockford Public Schools will enter into a Career Academy in their sophomore year based on career interest,” said Auburn High School College & Career Academy Coach Kathryn Haun, prior to the event. “Each high school offers the same 4 traditional Academies that are based on common career clusters and local workforce demand.”

RPS students had multiple groups who had booths for their “business/service,” to try to sell goods. Some booths included the “business” E-Lumineers, who described themselves as an eco-friendly company that wants to make charging (devices) easier for students and commuters by creating a wireless charging panel backpage. 

Other booths included food business Choosy Smoothie; Florant, Flowers & Candles Co.; and guitar business Immortal Strings.

Jefferson students Juniors Aniah Mellion and Jenise Sims, from the Immortal String group, said their businesses’ guitar strings were made to last longer than most guitar strings, which is up to three years. 

Students participated in work-based learning experiences that include district-wide events and competitions, Haun said. In VEI, they develop firms and will work in teams to develop virtual businesses and compete against each other throughout the year in competitions and trade shows, she added.

Students also toured the college and learned about RU business programs.

The visit also included a Q&A session with a RU business panel. The panel featured RU Professor Jeff Karlberg, Director of Admission Liz Nardi, Director of Career Services Chelsea Minor, and RU students Mykal Brown and Julisa Gutierrez.  

A link to all photos taken at the event can be viewed here. 

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Questions on the event can be sent to Communications@Rockford.edu.

For Immediate Release

April 5, 2023

Shaker is an accomplished Syrian violist and award-winning refugee advocate who survived the war in her home country, Syria. 

ROCKFORD, Ill. — Musician and award-winning refugee advocate Mariela Shaker will visit Rockford University this Friday, April 7, as part of our Rockford University Forum Series. Shaker’s forum will be Friday at 7 p.m. at the Fisher Chapel on campus at 5050 E. State St. in Rockford.

She has performed and spoken at many prestigious events and at places such as Harvard University and Carnegie Hall. 

Shaker will be at RU’s campus Friday morning starting at 9 a.m. in Clark Arts Center, Room 210, where she will visit with Music History II students. Afterward, Shaker will have a break from 10 to 11 a.m. to chat with the media.

Local media is invited to campus at 9 a.m. Friday at Clark Arts Center. 

About Shaker:

Mariela Shaker survived the war in Syria and the attack on the University of Aleppo (located in Aleppo, Syria) where she was studying business in 2013. Shaker then fled to the U.S. to study music at Monmouth College in New Jersey.

Once she was here in the U.S., Shaker was unable to return home, and in only four years, she finished her bachelor’s degree at Monmouth and a master’s at DePaul University with full-tuition scholarships. 

Being a refugee in the U.S., Mariela feels safe, but worries about her family and friends left behind. And more than another, though fascinating refugee story, Mariela stands for drive and determination and empowering young women.

Shaker can be found on her Instagram.

Forum Series

The Rockford University Forum Series presents speakers in a variety of disciplines who have achieved success both nationally and locally, and performers of stature in the arts. The Forum Series’ central programming focus is geared toward students, while also seeking to connect campus to the local community. Lectures and performances are concerned with intellectual, social, and cultural matters of general interest to deepen and broaden students’ education at Rockford University and enhance the rich culture of Rockford.

Forum Series presenters and events cover a broad spectrum of scope and genre. Events have included the Tibetan lamas from Drepung Loseling Monastery and their creation of a mandala—a sacred sand painting; Holocaust survivor Zev Kedem, the compelling speaker who worked with Steven Spielberg on the movie Schindler’s List; Oscar Arias, former president of Costa Rica and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on a Central American Peace Plan; quadriplegic Olympic bronze medal rugby player Mark Zupan; film documentarian Barbara Martinez Jitner, who produced “La Frontera;” Davar Ardalan, author of “My Name is Iran;” and traditional University events like the President’s Opening Convocation, Charter Day Convocation, and theater productions.

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To RSVP, please contact the Communications Department at Communications@Rockford.edu by 8 a.m. April 7.

Contact:

Sara Myers

RU Marketing & Communications

smyers@rockford.edu

815.980.4809

For Immediate Release: 

April 5, 2023

Nearly 100 RPS 205 middle school students will engage in interactive workshops that include building paper rockets, and more with the assistance of RU students.

What: Rockford University, Lincoln and Marshall Middle School students

When: April 6, 2023, 10:30 a.m. -2 p.m.

Where: Starr Science Center, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St, Rockford, IL. 61108

Who: Rockford University students, faculty and staff; Lincoln and Marshall Middle School students; university officials, and media

ROCKFORD, Ill. —Rockford University will host nearly 100 students from Lincoln and Marshall Middle Schools in Rockford on Thursday, April 6, for STEM Day. The middle school students will be on campus from 10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

During the event, middle school students will engage in multiple interactive workshops about electricity, probability, building a paper rocket, oxidation, and more. 

Rockford University students will be working with the middle school students during the different workshops and RU professors from mathematics, computer science, physics, and chemical & biological sciences will lead the workshop. Lincoln and Marshall students will even get a campus tour and lunch on-campus to learn more RU.

Media are invited to attend the event and speak with the RU faculty who organized the workshops. We ask that the media arrive promptly at 10:30 a.m. and RSVP to our email below. 

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Questions or interview requests can be sent to Communications@Rockford.edu. We ask the media to please RSVP by emailing us by 8:30 a.m. April 6. 

Contact:

Sara Myers

RU Marketing & Communications

smyers@rockford.edu

815.980.4809