Campus News

Contact: Rita Elliott, Director of Communications, 815-226-3374

Rockford University will inaugurate Eric W. Fulcomer, Ph.D., as its 18th President on Friday, November 4 at 2 p.m., in the Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center, on the Rockford University campus, 5050 East State Street, Rockford, Ill. Along with the day’s formal celebrations, more than 30 Academic Showcases featuring a variety of activities highlighting the scholarship and creative activities of the university’s faculty, staff, and students are planned. Showcases will be held from 9-11:45 a.m., at various locations across the campus. The entire campus, inaugural guests and anyone interested is encouraged to attend. A full schedule of events is located on the Inauguration pages of rockford.edu.

July 1, 2016, marked the first day in office for Dr. Fulcomer who was one of four finalists selected in the nation-wide search process to name Dr. Robert L. Head’s successor. Dr. Fulcomer’s appointment was finalized with a unanimous vote at the University’s Board of Trustees meeting on February 20, 2016. Previously, Dr. Fulcomer served as the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Rockford University and has more than two decades of leadership experience in higher education.

Dr. Fulcomer says, “Since joining the institution three years ago, I have been so impressed by our highly distinguished faculty who excel in their fields and who prepare our students well for graduate school, vocation and active participation in a global society. I have been equally impressed by our many dedicated staff members who support our students in so many ways. I believe that the education we provide at Rockford University is indeed the very best of what American higher education has to offer: grounded in the liberal arts and extended by professional and practical experience.”

In addition to his enrollment management responsibilities at Rockford University, Dr. Fulcomer supervised the areas of student administrative services, student life, athletics and global affairs. Prior to coming to Rockford, Dr. Fulcomer was Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Life at Bluffton University in Bluffton, Ohio. He has teaching experience at both Bluffton University and Bowling Green State University.

Dr. Fulcomer received his doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Toledo, his master’s degree in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University and his bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature, cum laude, from Eastern Michigan University.