Monday, February 27, 2023, 4:00 PM Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center Charter Day Charter Day R o c k f o r d U n i v e r s i t y ' s F o r u m S e r i e s convocationceremony
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
Patricia Lynott, Ph.D. Interim President
Lisa Custardo, CPA, CGMA
Vice President for Finance & Chief Financial Officer
Randy Worden, D. Min.
Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students
Michael A. Perry, Ph.D. Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
Michael J. Quinn, Ph.D. Vice President for Enrollment Management
Randal V. Childs, MBA Vice President for Advancement
Event Contributors
Tara Vanden Branden
Director of University Events and Scheduling
Jennifer Cunningham
Executive Assistant to the President
Andrea Watson
Director of Marketing and Communications
Aris Sherwood
Marketing and Communications Specialist
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
