Charter Day Convocation Ceremony 2023 Program

Charter Day convocation ceremony Monday, February 27, 2023, 4:00 PM Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center Rockford University's

Forum Series

Dr. Patricia Lynott Interim President Dr. Lynott has combined a successful teaching career with innovative academic leadership in her 35+ years in higher education. She began her career as a communication professor teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in rhetoric, political communication and public speaking. At Elmhurst College, Dr. Lynott served as Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education, and became the founding director of Elmhurst Partners,

the college’s corporate training division that provided custom programming to Chicago-area Fortune 500 companies. At Southern New Hampshire University, she played a critical leadership role in transitioning a small regional business college into a national, multi-faceted university. Dr. Lynott successfully managed the impact of rapid and significant growth that required new business processes and structural reorganization during a period of remarkable transformation. She also served as vice president of academic affairs, provost, and as president of SNHU’s University College.

In addition, Dr. Lynott’s community involvement is extensive. She was a founding member of Manchester Proud, a citizen’s coalition dedicated to uniting the City of Manchester behind an aspirational vision for the city’s public schools. She served on the steering committee of New Hampshire Scholars, a federally funded, communitybased program that encourages students to enroll in a rigorous Core Course of Study in high school.

Dr. Lynott was also a member of the New Hampshire Advisory Committee of the US Global Leadership Coalition—a network of businesses and NGOs, national security and foreign policy experts, business, faith-based, academic and community leaders who support elevating diplomacy and development alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world.

Dr. Lynott has served on the board of directors of numerous non-profit organizations as well: the Fulbright Association; Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society; the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce; the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire; America’s Credit Union Museum; and the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester. She is currently on the board of governors for the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin.

After graduating magna cum laude from Trinity College, Dr. Lynott completed a master’s degree in communication studies from Northern Illinois University. She completed her doctorate at Loyola University Chicago and has a certificate from the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education.

Charter Day Convocation February 27, 2023 The audience is requested to stand for the academic procession and invocation.

Academic Procession Invocation Elaine Sharpe ’75, Associate Professor of Psychology

Vocal Collective

Ride the Chariot by William Henry Smith Solo by Jessie Rathbun

Welcome and Opening Remarks Michael Perry Ph.D., Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs Rebecca Epperson, Chair, Board of Trustees

Address Patricia Lynott, PhD., Interim President "Rockford Female Seminary: A Legacy of Progress"

“Decus et Veritas” Led by Timm Adams, Associate Professor of Music Please stand and join in the singing of the Rockford University loyalty song.

(Words are printed on the back.)

Academic Recession

The audience is to remain standing in place until the entire academic procession has left the theatre.

A reception will be held in the lobby of the Clark Arts Center immediately following the ceremony.

Executive Council

Event Contributors

Patricia Lynott, Ph.D. Interim President

Tara Vanden Branden Director of University Events and Scheduling

Lisa Custardo, CPA, CGMA Vice President for Finance & Chief Financial Officer

Jennifer Cunningham Executive Assistant to the President

Randy Worden, D. Min. Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students

Andrea Watson Director of Marketing and Communications

Michael A. Perry, Ph.D. Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs

Aris Sherwood Marketing and Communications Specialist

Michael J. Quinn, Ph.D. Vice President for Enrollment Management Randal V. Childs, MBA Vice President for Advancement

Nicole Buhler Head Faculty Marshall

Special thanks to...

Academic Affairs Advancement Facilities - Team National Fresh Ideas Foods IT

2022 - 2023 Board of Trustees Ms. Rebecca Epperson Chair of the Board Mr. L. Thomas Heiser '84 Vice Chair of the Board Mr. Jeffry Potter '98 Secretary of the Board Mr. Gregory Allen '98 Treasurer of the Board Mr. Keith Akre Ms. Teresa Beach-Shelow Mr. Charles Box Ms. Lesly Couper Ms. Elizabeth Donovan '20H Ms. Deborah Breiter, Ph.D. Ms. Dawn Gile '02 Ms. Anisha Grimmett Ms. Elizabeth Hegel '81 Hon. lain D. Johnston '87 Mr. James Keeling '18H Ms. Patricia Lynott, Ph.D. Mr. Joel J. Moore '00 Mr. Thomas A. Muldowney '74 Mr. Aaron Potter '98/'09 Mr. Michael Schablaske '87 Ms. Kristin Smith Ms. Marci Taets '92 Ms. Barbara Tanaglia '73 Ms. Patricia Tumilowicz '87 Mr. Frank E. Walter Ms. Janet Zelenka

EMERITI TRUSTEES Mr. James H. Clarke, Ph.D. '67 Mr. Charles L. Colman '06 L.H.D Mr. Kenelm A. Groff* Ms. Dawn R. Hallsten '73 Ms. Helen C. Hill '70 Mr. Charles J. Howard Ms. Teresa J. Ingrassia MBA '86/'00 L.H.D. Mr. Dennis W. Johnson Mr. Kent A. Mallquist '97 L.H.D. Mr. Sunil Puri '82 '13 L.H.D. Mr. David R. Rydell '63 Mrs. Louise Sinclaire '57 Mr. Angelo Spoto Mr. James S. Whitehead '04 LL.D. Mr. Jonathan S. Whitlock Mr. R. Ray Wood '10 L.H.D. Mr. Fred Young '65

EMERITI PRESIDENTS Mr. Robert L. Head, Ph.D. Mr. William A. Shields, Ph.D. '01H

Honorary Designations L.H.D. - Doctor of Humane Letters LL.D. - Doctor of Laws H - Honorary Alumni