Campus News

Rockford, Ill., – Rockford University is honored to announce the receipt of $22,200 from the Community Grants Program from the Vera Maureen Fisher Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) – Science Equipment Program.

The monies from the Vera Maureen Fisher Fund will directly support the acquisition of science equipment as part of $1.2 million in modernizations to the Starr Science Center. The science modernizations are part of a $17.3 million initiative, “Rock Solid and Ready – The Campaign for Rockford University.” Campaign components, designed to further enhance the student experience, are defined as:

Compete: Shaping Modern Facilities, $7.2M total

• Starr Science Center modernizations and acquisition of select scientific equipment, $1.2M
• Construction of a new Athletic and Event Center adjacent to Seaver Center, $6M

Create: Enhancing the Student Experience, $6.1M total

• Endowed Student Opportunity Fund, $1M
• Expendable Student Opportunity Fund, $1M
• Academic Program Enhancement through the creation of Puri School of Business, $4.1M

Commit: Providing for Current Needs, $4M total

• Extended and ongoing support of the annual Charter Fund, the lifeblood of any institution

Vice President for Advancement Bern Sundstedt adds, “We are grateful to be awarded these funds from the Community Grants Program of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois. The money will directly support the acquisition of equipment to be used throughout our science programs, helping us to keep pace with the growing needs of our students and faculty, while ensuring that we continue to provide an exceptional learning environment in our classrooms and laboratories.”

Rockford University is a four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The University offers approximately 80 majors, minors and concentrations, including the adult accelerated degree completion program for a B.S. in Management Studies. Through its Graduate Studies department, degrees are extended to include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Urban Education. 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. Rockford University is also named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College. Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,300 full-and part-time students.

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) has been a regional leader in philanthropy since 1953. CFNIL serves as a catalyst for giving in order to attract, grow, and preserve an endowment for the needs of Northern Illinois. Since its founding, CFNIL has granted more than $60 million for charitable purposes.

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