Campus News

Rockford, Ill. – Rockford University’s 161^st Commencement Ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 17, at 2:00 p.m., at the Coronado Performing Arts Center in downtown Rockford. Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Management Studies, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Business Administration degrees will be awarded to approximately 350 students.

Founded in 1847, Rockford University is a four-year, co-educational institution that provides 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 in Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). 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 currently serves approximately 1,280 full-and part-time students.

Delivering this year’s keynote address will be Judy Smith, CEO of Smith & Company, a leading strategic and crisis communications firm. Prior to founding Smith & Company, Ms. Smith served as Senior Vice-President of Corporate Communications at NBC. In 1991, Ms. Smith joined the White House with her appointment as Special Assistant and Deputy Press Secretary to President George H. W. Bush. As a result of her groundbreaking career Ms. Smith became the inspiration for the hit ABC television drama, Scandal, and she serves as the show’s Co-Executive Producer. Ms. Smith honed her skills through her experiences with some of the most historic and sensational events of our time, including the General Petraeus scandal, the Iran Contra investigation, the President Clinton scandal involving Monica Lewinsky, the congressional inquiry of Enron, as well as matters involving Senator Larry Craig, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr, NFL quarterback Michael Vick, celebrity chef Paula Deen, and the family of Chandra Levy. Ms. Smith received a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Boston University and graduated from the American University Washington College of Law.

Tickets are required for attendance. Due to space constraints, tickets are limited to degree candidates and their guests. Tickets will not be available at the door of the Coronado Theatre.