Eric Hougan ’01 has been promoted to Associate Professor at Central Washington University, where he earned tenure as of the fall 2019 semester.

Blaze Farrar ’02 published a stand-alone excerpt of her novel-in-progress in the literary magazine titled Crack the Spine.

Emily Hoff (formerly Hoehn) ’08 and Maygen Keller ’09 recently coauthored the new book, Scenic Science of the National Parks: An Explorer’s Guide to Wildlife, Geology, and Botany, published by Ten Speed Press. This fun and beautifully illustrated guide breaks down the compelling and offbeat natural science highlights in the parks, from extraterrestrial-like organisms in Yellowstone to menacing teddy bear clones in Joshua Tree. The duo met as theatre majors at Rockford College, where they bonded over their love of David Attenborough nature documentaries and being total nerds who happily made elaborate study guides for exams. Both graduated Phi Beta Kappa and though their lives and careers took them to different parts of the country, they have continued to build a business relationship based on their passion for curiosity and the natural world. When they aren’t writing, you can find them hosting live shows in New York City, guiding astro-tourism trips to the national parks for Atlas Obscura, and planning their next adventure.

Angela Hendricks Hulsey ’09 and her Student Leader’s Club at West View Elementary, where she teaches first grade, recently won the Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford’s Community Grant award. Her club is focused on community service and environmental activism and is planning to use the grant to fund a “West View Bird Observation Park” that Angela and her club will be planting on school grounds to help aid in reversing the decline in the bird population.

Rachel Rhea Hansen ’10 was recently hired as a family physician for the Byron Clinic of SwedishAmerican Medical Group. Dr. Hansen has a particular interest in women’s health and patient education, which she pursues through her work as a member of the Women’s Quality and Safety Committee.

Amber Steinborn ’13 won the Swedish American Dr. Henry C. Anderson Award with her ABCDEF Bundle Implementation Team in December 2019. The award is presented each year to a team that has shown exemplary care and service to patients while helping each other and other staff members learn and improve. Amber’s team was selected for their work with the Wake Up and Breathe Protocol as well as their improvements in sedation, pain management, and the prevention and management of delirium.

​Bobby Barrera ’15 recently received the Round Lake Beach Police Department 2019 Officer of the Year Award.

Christopher Morris ’15 from Buffalo Grove, Illinois is currently working as an art instructor at Prairie Elementary School. He was recently one of fifteen national winners out of thousands of instructors that were selected to be a recipient of Artsonia’s 2020 Art Education Leadership Award.

Bryan Amezquita ’17 has recently started in his capacity as C.E.O. of LCU Properties Inc. in Machesney Park, and he has already begun expanding the company by starting construction of a new building in west Rockford. While this new site is being prepared, Bryan is working to enter the national market and expanding the company’s area of coverage for property maintenance.

Congratulations to the following faculty members awarded tenure:

Ronald Lee Ph.D., Assistant Professor; Director of First Year Seminar

Kimberley Hartwig M.S.N., RNC-MNN, Assistant Professor of Nursing

Luis Romero ’01 M.B.A., Associate Professor of Economics, Business, and Accounting; Director, MBA Program

Luis Romero ’01 M.B.A., Associate Professor of Economics, Business, and Accounting; Director, MBA Program.