By Sara Myers-Hogshead, Digital Media & Communications Specialist 

Performing Arts Alum Erin Nicole Farsté (2015) had done theater her whole life, but never considered it as a career until her senior year of high school. It was during her senior year that her friends encouraged her to look into Rockford University’s Performing Arts program, after Farsté saw RU’s Performing Arts Booth at a college fair she attended.

Farsté graduated from RU in 2015 and immediately started auditioning for productions all over the country through the group United Professional Theatre Auditions (UPTA), which is based in Memphis, Tennessee. 

Her current role is the understudy for the role of “Mother” in Children Theater’s Company production of Corduroy, based on the classic 1968 Children’s book. The production runs now through April 2. The Children’s Theater Company is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and tickets can be found on it’s website.  

During her senior year of high school, Farsté recalls her mother telling her theater would not be beneficial and to be realistic, so Farsté originally planned to be a doctor. 

“I was one of those people that was like, well I have to prove it to you,” Farsté said. “This is the only thing I can do. I actually auditioned for the (Missouri) state show, which was Jekyll and Hyde that year for the Missouri Thespian Festival.”

Farsté, who is originally from Kansas City, Missouri, got cast in the show and told her mother, who was still not convinced. Later though, Farsté said she finally stood up to her mom and told her she wanted to do theater full time and study it in college. She then attended a college fair at the Missouri State Theater Festival where she found the Rockford University booth and met Timm Adams. 

“Everybody in my cast was like, Rockford (University) is amazing and a big deal and you’re so lucky,” she said. 

Once she was at RU and accepted into the BFA program, she became a member in acapella group Vocal Collective and worked with different professors within the theater department that inspired her. When she worked on the show “The Trojan Women” it set off her love for Greek theater. Farsté said her favorite musical she performed at RU was “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.”

Once Farsté graduated from RU, she immediately began traveling for her work. 

“My dream was always to leave and perform out of state as often as I could,” she said. “I decided to take a chance and they (UPTA) had me in their 2016-17 season. We had very intensive training before we would go on the road and perform for elementary schools and community centers around Minnesota and Wisconsin.”

Farsté followed that tour with another one for the National Theatre for Children in Minneapolis. She performed with a smaller group and went around to elementary schools in the south (Texas, Louisiana, and more) where she taught electrical safety to elementary students. Her contract with the theater was seven months. When that tour was over she said she realized she had grown tired of the touring life, after two back-to-back acting gigs on the road.

It was then that she decided to stay in the Twin Cities area and settle down. Since making that decision she has worked in most of the theaters in the Twin Cities, such as Park Square Theatre in St. Paul, Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, Artistry Theater in Bloomington, and Old Log Theatre in Excelsior.

It was during that time that she started working as a social media manager, which she said gives her the flexibility to juggle theater and work. 

Minneapolis’ Acting Scene

Her current role in Corduroy has been challenging, she said, but also very rewarding. Before the production started she prepared every day by memorizing her lines and when she comes into rehearsals she is learning more about blocking and how the character has developed from rehearsal.

When looking toward her future, Farsté sees herself staying in the Twin Cities area and continuing her theater career there.

“There’s a lot of theater opportunities here,” she said. “More theaters are starting to pop up around. As a Black actress, there’s a lot of opportunity for me. There’s a lot of Asian theater here in town and a lot of Latinx theaters in town, and Indigenous theaters in town.”

Farsté said she is ultimately grateful for her time at RU for giving her the tools she needed to be a working actor today.

“The rigorous training from musical theater to singing with Vocal Collective to the amazing teaching that Miss (Deborah) Mogford and Jeff (Hendry) and Timm (Adams) have been able to provide for the students,” she said. “That’s really how I’ve been able to have a thriving career in theater. Just being at the right place at the right time has definitely helped as well.”

To celebrate Women’s History Month at Rockford University, we’re talking to different women in leadership roles on campus. Our first conversation is with Lisa Custardo, the V.P. for Finance and Chief Financial Officer at RU. Custardo talks about how her career brought her to RU and shares her advice to women in this Q&A.  

How has your career brought you to your present-day role as V.P. for Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at RU? 

I have spent over 25 years as a financial executive with a dedicated career in promoting and protecting the public good, and impacting the environment on local, national and international levels. Prior to joining the university, I had spent the better part of my career working only with and for organizations that hold educational stewardship, social responsibility, and community partnership in very high regard.  

With special interest in the educational space and a deep affinity with students of higher education, I was invited to bring my talents to the university and join the President’s Cabinet at RU. Over the years, helping others to reach their highest potential, both personally and professionally, has become a major theme in my life and I am fortunate to continue on that very same path as its embedded in the cornerstone of Rockford University’s mission and values.  

What advice do you have for young women working and navigating male-dominated workspaces?   

My advice to anyone navigating a challenging workspace in any way, is to elevate one’s thoughts. In my experience, that has been the key element to all things successful. Innovative ideas, effective plans, synergistic relationships, and robust solutions…all stem from vision with clarity.  

Dominate your workspace with inspired vision and great clarity and all other elements seem to fall into place with a profound precision that is difficult to put into words. As human beings, we are all influenced by superior and collaborative ideas. My advice is to think about dominating your space with more of those and encouraging others to do the same.  

How do you celebrate Women’s History Month? 

The true spirit of celebration is to take part in special enjoyable activities in order to show that a particular event is important. In this case, women’s history is the event and as such, I have a spectacular role in that event – I am a woman.  

It seems to me that the best way I can and do celebrate “Women’s History” is to put conscious focus and attention on making my own life a special enjoyable activity and helping other women in my environment to do the same. In the end, our life will be the history we have and the impact we leave on everyone and everything around us.  

Better Me = BETTER US… as women, as people. Now that’s something to celebrate!   

Check back for more content for Women’s History Month at Rockford University. Also, follow our Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages to continue the conversation. 

by Sara Myers-Hogshead, Digital Media & Communications Specialist 

Rockford University Freshman Clare Strong, who is one of 11 siblings, grew up playing tackle football with her large family in Fairbury, Illinois, located a little over 100 miles southeast of Rockford. Strong’s three brothers played high school football which allowed her to learn the game from them.

Ever since she was young, Strong said she has wanted to play high school football just like her brothers. She said she didn’t realize back then that her love for football would continue into her college career at Rockford University — or that she would become the only current woman on the RU Regents football team. Strong joined the team in September of 2022 and will start her second season this fall.

She is currently studying kinesiology for exercise science. Strong is also on the basketball team here at RU. She hopes to be a strength and conditioning coach when she finishes her undergraduate studies. 

“I had a goal and I was going to do anything I could to achieve it,” Strong said. “But, my mom was worried about me getting hurt. I started lifting at the age of 12 with my brother-in-law, who is my personal trainer and the athletic trainer at the high school I went to.”

Once Strong’s freshman year of high school came around, she said she was “already bigger and lifting more than half of the kids” in her class.

Strong was one of two girls who played on the Prairie Central football team back home. Her mom originally agreed to let her play one year of football, she said, but Strong was able to convince her mom she could play all four years by showing that she could keep up with her male teammates. 

“My parents are definitely my biggest supporters,” she said. “They never missed one game.”

Strong started off only playing the position of kicker on her high school team, but quickly realized she wanted in on the action.

“I’m the type that always wants to be moving,” she said. “If you’re a kicker and you’re practicing, you don’t really do much other than kick. I decided to try out to be a running back and outside linebacker.”

Strong played all three positions during her high school career. She even made “All-Conference” by her senior year at Prairie Center.  

Committing to RU

Fast forward to spring of 2023, and Strong is now in her freshman year at RU, and playing on the Regents football team. One of the deciding factors to picking RU was seeing that she had a familiar face on the football coaching staff here. 

Jallen Bashford is the Linebackers Coach and Special Teams Coordinator on the football team. He is also an alum of Prairie Central High School, where he played on the football team, just like Strong and her brothers.

Bashford said he was already friendly with the Strong family and had even remembered going to football team dinners at their house. He said that Strong’s dedication to the sport makes her a great asset to the team. 

 “You can tell from lifting,” he said. “She will go as heavy as possible so she can match some of the guys when they’re lifting weights. She doesn’t back down from a challenge.”

He said he appreciates her hard work and determination.

Strong, who usually plays kicker, wanted to try linebacker on the freshman team. Bashford praised her confidence to try something new and how she wasn’t scared to take on a challenge.

“She played all the way through high school,” Bashford said. “She is a very good kicker. Funny thing is most of her brothers were kickers.”

Strong said she hasn’t had any problems being the only woman on the RU football team — at least not currently. She said that she’s become friends with most of the guys on the team and during practice of lifting weights, everyone is always cracking jokes and having a good time. Right now, Strong said she plays on the JV team switching between kicker or linebacker. 

“When it comes time to work, everyone’s locked in and ready to go,” she said. “As a female, I have to work a lot harder to get to where everyone else is at, but if you work hard enough you’ll get there. I’m treated no differently than any other guy on and off the field.”

CORRECTION: This story has been edited to correct that Clare Strong was not the first woman on RU’s football team. We apologize for the error.

By Sara Myers

We’ve been speaking to Rockford University students and alumni about Black History Month. Throughout the month of February, the university has highlighted different individuals and their thoughts about the historic month and its importance. 

We’ve spoken with alumni, current football players, theater students and more for their thoughts on Black History Month. Student Mya Barrett is our final Q&A for the month. 

Barrett is a RU freshman who is majoring in Biology with a Secondary Education Minor and endorsements in Spanish, Psychology, and ESL (English is a Second Language). 

Barrett is also a first generation college student, RAMM (Rockford Association for Minority Management) Scholarship Winner, and an Education Pathway Scholarship Winner. Her expected graduation year is 2026. 

She is a Rockford native and in a leadership position in the student group First Gen Forward Club. She is also in the Black Student Union and the Leading Educators Club. Barrett aspires to one day become a high school or middle school biology teacher after graduation. 

Here are Barrett’s thoughts on Black History Month.

How do you honor or celebrate Black History Month? 

I celebrate Black History Month by intaking information about some of the most iconic Black figures throughout my history, whether that be kings and queens, or regular store merchants. 

Name a Black figure – past or present –that you admire. Why?

I admire many Black figures such as Claudette Colvin — the Rosa Parks before Rosa Parks — Fred Hampton, a civil rights activist for the Black Panther party, and Booker T. Washington, a teacher for all. All of these great people and many others had done such great things. It’s very hard to have a favorite. 

Why is Black History Month relevant today?

Black History Month is very relevant today and needs to be recognized as important to the masses. The history of African-American people started way before they were brought to North America in shackles. People need to recognize the importance of Black History Month, not only because it is important to me and others, but because it is important for people to know the history of other groups of people. 

For Black History Month we interviewed four RU students, whose studies range from musical theater to biology, and one RU Class of 2017 alumni, who has taken part in RU’s Men of Color Mentoring Program. 

If you missed the other features, here are the four Q&A’s:

• Miami Roby, an RU sophomore studying musical theater and psychology .
• Timothy Bearden, an RU sophomore studying kinesiology and physical education. 
• Mykal Brown, RU’s Black Student Union President. 
• Dominique Campbell, an RU alumni (‘17) who currently works as a Commercial Underwriter in Iowa.  

By Sara Myers

We’ve been speaking to Rockford University students and alumni about Black History Month. Throughout the month of February, the university will highlight different individuals and their thoughts about the historic month and its importance.

We spoke with Miami Roby, a Rockford native, and RU sophomore studying musical theater and psychology. Roby is the house crew chief/house manager for the upcoming RU production of “The Importance of Being Earnest” premiering Friday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Maddox Theatre. Roby will also join the cast of Urinetown this April.

She’s involved in student government on campus and the Regents First program that helps give first-generation college students tools to help lead them to graduation. Her expected graduation date is May 2025. 

Here are Roby’s thoughts on Black History Month.

Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

How do you honor or celebrate Black History Month? 

Normally, (I have) participated in all of the traditions, like wearing my cultural wear because my family’s from Nigeria. Or, just donating and buying stuff from Black-owned shops and businesses and brands. 

Name a Black figure – past or present –that you admire. Why?

Issa Rae. I really like her. I like the movies she writes and what she stands for.

Why is Black History Month relevant today? 

Although we’re not back in (the times of) slavery or segregation, there are still a lot of problems with race today. I’m not sure when they’ll go away, but it’s a work in progress. 

If we want to continue to fight for the things that we want and for our rights, it’s so important to celebrate Black figures in history who’ve paved the way for the things that we’re doing today as Black people. If we stop doing it, we’re kind of throwing away all the work we did for the past few 100 years. I feel like continuing to celebrate those people just reminds Black people today, to (continue) working hard because the work is still not done yet. 

by Sara Myers, copywriter

Rockford University transformed its campus into an evening of elegance in support of student scholarships. More than 150 people — dressed to impress and in festive spirits — attended the university’s annual  “Just Imagine” Gala Saturday evening on Feb. 18. 

The annual event has been an ongoing opportunity to raise funds for RU student scholarships. Students like Elijah Lowry, an RU junior, called the scholarship “life-changing.”

Attendees enjoyed a three-course meal with dessert, followed by a special performance from RU’s vocal group Vocal Collective (known affectionately as VoCo). 

There was also a raffle in which half of the funds went to the winner, while the other half went toward student scholarships. 

“For the past five years, we have awarded an average of 56 competitive scholarships, each year” said Interim President Dr. Patricia Lynott. “100% of our full time domestic students in our traditional programs receive some level of academic scholarship.”

Scholarships like the Rockford Promise Scholarship allow Rockford Public School 205 students to receive full tuition at RU. Since 2016, the university has welcomed 35 students and has seen a 92% retention rate. 

Lowry and Julissa Guitierrez, both Rockford Promise Scholarship recipients, shared their personal journeys with event attendees. They expressed how beneficial the scholarship has been in helping them accomplish their life goals and dreams.

“I just had a conversation with President Lynott the other day and I told her I always knew that in order to be at a university like this one — a private university with an amazing education program — I had to get a scholarship,” said Gutierrez, a first-generation college student and RU sophomore. “I did, and I worked for it. I got a scholarship and I’m here and it’s much more amazing than I could have ever imagined.”

Lowry is studying theater management and pursuing certifications to teach at all grade levels. He said he’s always had a passion for working with homeless and drug-addicted individuals in the Rockford community. 

He gives back to his community by volunteering at Miss Carly’s, a Rockford nonprofit that provides meal service, clothing, hygiene items, and drug/alcohol treatment for the community’s underserved.

“If I hadn’t gotten the Rockford Promise, I would still probably be at RU, but I would be working either full-time or part time along with my classes,” Lowry said. “The scholarship has been really instrumental in my involvement with the university and my involvement with the community.  I would have never gone to Miss Carly’s in the first place after I found out about her (non profit) in my classes.”

He encouraged more people to help sponsor students like himself. 

In fall 2023, the number of Rockford Promise Scholars at RU will triple and require financial support. A contribution of $4,000 per year will send a student to RU tuition free. 

Dr. Lynott thanked all attendees, including sponsors, the Board of Trustees, and RU staff for their efforts and participation.

“It is the trustees who had the greatest impression on me and the trustees who ultimately helped me make the decision to take this position,” Lynott said, while addressing the audience. “Many of these trustees are alums so many are local business leaders. All of them are utterly committed to not just Rockford University by the entire Rockford community.”

Event sponsors included Illinois Bank & Trust and Fresh Ideas who were Leaders with their $5,000 donations. Benefactors who donated $2,500 included Mr. John ‘81 & Mrs. Elizabeth ‘81 Hegel; CSL Group Rural Oaks Plaza; Mercyhealth and Ceroni Piping.

Partners (those who donated $1,750) included The Kantner Family; Dr. David ‘73 & Mrs. Barbara Ragnar ‘73 Tanaglia; Dental Dimensions- Dr. Kris & Mrs. Patti Carlini ‘87 Tumilowicz; Mr. L. Thomas ‘84 and Mrs. Patricia Heiser; UW Health; Chartwell Agency; Stillman Bank; and MPEC.

Lynott also thanked Gala donors which included: Freeport Industrial Roofing, Ann Boe, Sue Smith, Jeffry Potter, Barbara Clucas, and Jim & Connie Coffey. 

by Sara Myers-Hogshead, Digital Media & Communications Specialist 

The Rockford University Performing Arts department will kick of its season Feb. 23 with “The Importance of Being Earnest” — an Oscar Wilde classic directed by RU’s Deborah Mogford.

The production will start at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, in the Maddox Theatre at the Clark Arts Center, 5050 E. State St., Rockford. There will be additional showings at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26 at the Maddox Theatre. Tickets can be purchased online, over the phone at (815) 226-4100 or through email: boxoffice@rockford.edu. 

Oscar Wilde was an Irish author, poet and playwright. His play, “The Importance of Being Earnest” was released in 1895 and is his most popular comedy that is still being performed.

“It is a classic of 1895,” Mogford said. “It continues to be going around the world even today. We chose it because it’s a comedy of manners and it’s a good thing for students to have that particular genre.”

The main cast includes: Josh Ponsones, Andrew Ashley, Jake Rogers, Jessica Rathbun, Emmarie Wilson, and Kade De Angioletti.

Many of the actors traveled far from home to attend RU’s Performing Arts program. Ponsones is from San Diego, California; Wilson is from Fort Worth, Texas; De Angioletti from Leesburg, Virginia; and both Rogers and Rathbun are from Aurora, Colorado.

The actors, most who are seniors this year, said they’ve had fun learning the material, as well as getting to know each other.

For both Wilson and Ashley, performing with a smaller cast has been very impactful. They’re bonding and have a greater appreciation for the characters’ individual stories.

For Rathbun, the smaller cast allows everyone more room since they take up the space with their “characterizations and presence.”

Wilde’s writing is still relevant today, De Angioletti said.

“That humor still transcends and people still find the jokes funny,” De Angioletti said, adding that the cast laughed during the read through.

Rathbun, who plays Miss Prism, has enjoyed the balancing act of doing a small show but also looks forward to their next production of Urinetown, a larger musical production.

Diving into Character

For Ponsones, one thing he said he took away from his character, and the production in general, was to not let so much of his own personality into the character.

“As somebody who is very into large gestures and always uses their hands a lot,” Ponsones said, “I have to keep my hands completely in place, all the time. I’ve learned you don’t need to use your hands so much when you talk.”

Roger plays John and has learned to tap into the duality of his character. He said he’s learned to let his guard down, while still keeping his composure.

“That has been a balance I haven’t really seen before,” he said.

The cast is ultimately looking forward to bringing their characters to life in front of a live audience. 

“I’m sure since we’re having so much fun, it’ll be fun for the audience too,” Ashley said.

[Show slideshow]

• John Worthing, J.P: Jake Rogers
• Algernon Moncrieff: Andrew Ashley
• Canon Chasuble, D. D.: Josh Ponsones
• Lady Bracknall: Kayleigh Ferguson
• Miss Prism: Jessica Rathbun
• Gwendolen Fairfax: Emmarie Wilson
• Cecily Cardew: Kade De Angioletti
• Lane: Zach Furmanek
• Merriman: Robert Strader

CREW:

• Director: Deborah Mogford
• Stage Manager: Kaitlyn Tesdroff
• Assistant Stage Managers: Analiese Garcia, Caitlin Dennis
• Costume Shop Manager: Karly Osborne
• Assistant Technical Director: Andrew Harth
• Master Electrician: Kaitlyn Tesdroff 
• Aster Electrician: Lindsay Johnson
• Scene Painter: Karah Nelson
• Sound Design/Sound Operator: Isaac Urbik
• Projection Operator: Sara Goodger
• Properties Master: Zachary Furmanek
• Assistant Properties: Adara Barrera Medina
• Wardrobe: Aubry Musfelt
• House Crew Chief/House Manager: Miami Roby
• House Crew: Sara Goodger, Karah Nelson
• Box Office Manager/ Program: Margaret McGraw
• Box Office Staff: Nakeyia Hunter, Yulissa Mancillas, Guadalupe Moreno
• Costume Shop: Keira Alejandro, Aiden Foreman, Emmarie Wilson
• Scene Shop: Adara Barrera Medina, Caitlin Dennis, Zachary Furmanek, Analiese Garcia, Sara Goodger, Lindsay Johnson, Karah Nelson, Kaitlyn Tesdorff, Isaac Urbik
• Scenic & Lighting Designer: Donald Fox
• Costume Designer: Jeff Hendry
• Technical Director: Beth Drog
• Archive Photographer: Ted Johnson

by Sara Myers

We’ve been speaking to Rockford University students and alumni about Black History Month. Throughout the month of February, the university will highlight different individuals and their thoughts about the historic month and its importance.

We spoke with Timothy Bearden, an RU sophomore who is studying kinesiology and physical education. He’s originally from Houston, Texas. Bearden is a wide receiver on the RU football team, and who previously played basketball his freshman year. His expected graduation date is May 2025. 

Here are Bearden’s thoughts on Black History Month.

How do you honor or celebrate Black History Month? 

I celebrate Black history by looking up old history and learning something new every year that has to do with African Americans, whether it’s from objects that were made or businesses that were made by them.

Name a Black figure – past or present –that you admire. Why?

I admire my very own Apostle Dr. Dana Carson, (a) pastor from Chicago, Illinois, who was a high school drop out and now has seven (college) degrees and multiple churches worldwide.

Why is Black History Month relevant today? 

I feel like Black history is important because of everything we have went through, throughout the years. All the pain, suffering, blood, sweat and tears deserve to get acknowledged and it’s a blessing to have a month where others recognize what we have done for not only this country but the world.