Campus News

The Rockford University Forum Series presents speakers and performances that are concerned with intellectual, social, and cultural matters of general interest to deepen and broaden students’ education at Rockford University. All Forums are open to the public and, with the exception of Performing Arts events, are free of charge. Lectures and performances will take place on the Rockford University campus, 5050 East State Street, Rockford. Tickets are required and can be obtained at the Clark Arts Center Box Office during regular hours of operation— Monday through Friday, 1- 5 p.m., as well as one hour before event at location of event. Contact the Box Office at 815-226-4100 or boxoffice@rockford.edu. The Clark Arts Center is accessible.

Fall 2019 Lineup 

President’s Opening Convocation

Friday, Aug. 23, 12 p.m.

Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center

The 2019-20 Rockford University academic year begins with a formal convocation and remarks by President Eric W. Fulcomer. Held since 1851, this longtime tradition includes a faculty procession in full academic regalia.

#WhatNOW: Ending Sexual Assault- Graham Hackett

Wednesday, Sept. 4, 7 p.m.

Severson Auditorium, Scarborough Hall

As awareness about sexual assault grows and condemnation of toxic behavior reaches a fever pitch, many are asking, “WHAT NOW?” This program looks at how we can move our communities towards gender equality and improved safety for all, delivered with an eclectic blend of keynote and spoken word delivery.

Equity is a Foundation for Peace- Xavier Ramey

This lecture is made possible by Connect2Peace, Rockford Rotary Club, and Eliminate Racism 815.

Thursday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.

Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center

Xavier Ramey will provide a keynote that brings the issues of social equity, community development, peace-making, and history together for attendees such that their understanding of how the relationships they choose and do not choose, impact the world itself. He will invite each listener to consider how peace requires an understanding of injustice, history, and deciding to stand up for those we often stand upon.

An Evening with Lt. Colonel Olga Custodio, USAF- Olga Custodio

Monday, Oct. 7, 7 p.m.

Regents Hall, Burpee Student Center

Turned away from flight school because she was a woman, Lt. Col. Olga Custodio went on to break barriers as the first Latina to complete USAF military pilot training, first to become a USAF pilot, and later, as the first Latina commercial pilot for American Airlines. Lt. Col. Custodio’s visit is in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and is Rockford University’s Rock Solid Success Seminar, an annual event designed to provide encouragement and motivation to all students as they pursue graduation from RU.

Rockford, World War II, and the Women’s Ambulance Safety Patrol- Mary Rose Filip

Tuesday, Oct. 22, 3 p.m.

Fisher Memorial Chapel

Join Veteran’s Memorial Hall & Museum volunteer Mary Rose Filip and step back into a 1940’s time capsule of Rockford’s history as she unveils the living legacy of the over 200 women of Rockford who founded W.A.S.P. Women’s Ambulance Safety Patrol on April 3, 1940.

The Anomic Bomb: Mass Murder in a Mad World- Casey Jordan

Monday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m.

Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center

More than a century ago the great sociologist Emile Durkheim coined the phrase “ANOMIE” in an attempt to describe the complex world of chaos experienced by people who committed suicide. Criminologist and forensic psychologist Casey Jordan will provide insight into anomic mass murder, differentiating between terrorism, workplace violence, and family annihilations, and end with a brainstorming session for what we can do –if anything—to identify the Anomic Bomb.

The Human Library

Presented by volunteers from the Northern Illinois Chapter of The Human Library and in collaboration with the Office of Global Affairs and the Jane Addams Center for Civic Engagement.

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m.

Regents Hall, Burpee Student Center

The Human Library is, in the true sense of the word, a library of people. Since 2000, Human Library events have featured human beings serving as open books, allowing interactive conversations that the audience would not normally have access to. Every human book from our bookshelf represents a group in our society that is often subjected to prejudice, stigmatization or discrimination because of their lifestyle, diagnosis, belief, disability, social status, or ethnic origin.

35mm: A Musical Exhibition

Thursday- Saturday, Nov. 21- 23, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 24, 2 p.m.

Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center

A picture is worth 1,000 words — what about a song? Can a picture inspire a song or fifteen? In 35mm, each photo creates a unique song, moments frozen in time, a glimmer of a life unfolding, a glimpse of something happening. A stunning new multimedia musical, which explores a groundbreaking new concept in musical theatre. This intricately woven collection of stories told through song re-imagines what the modern American musical can be.