Rockford College - Recensio / Cupola Yearbook (Rockford, IL)

Page 8 text:

The year 1986, while still replete with change, marked the turning point of this trend, as new faculty mem- bers, students, and adminis- trators sought innovative means of solving lingering problems and made plans to assure a secure, bright fu- ture. 1987 promises a breath of fresh air in the form of sta- ble tuition, room, and board costs and a new administra- tive staff, but a review of the often stagnant past is in order as we prepare to create the future. Some of the most contro- versial changes in the past few years have resulted from the adding and dropping of programs. Sparks flew when a costly engineering program was added then dropped after two years, as well as when the January Intensive Term was terminated. The ashes of those controversies provided some of the heat in discussions regarding the purchase and operations of Regent's College, undoubt- edly Rockford College's most ambitious undertaking to date. While most segments of the Rockford College com- munity see the addition of Re- gent's as a tremendous boon, some cite the London program's slow start and the current 'search for a partner in the enterprise as reasons for concem. Thus the pro- gram changes of the past few years have often proved to be a hotbed of controversy among students, faculty members, and administra- tors. 4 Introduction Xe VH'-C .1. . 1.4 , Upper: President Norman Stewart was Rock- ford College's 15th President, who resigned on 8 November 1986. Middle left: President Stewart with the Regent Lion at a soccer game. Lower right: President Stewart sewing up slop in the cafeteria. Could this be the reason for his hasty departure? Ho. Due to his increased visibility in intemational edu- cation over the last five years tin the found- ing of Regent's College in Londonl, a num- ber of other opportunities have presented themselves.

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Opposite page, upper left: The new college seal which replaced the Rolling R's on the East State welcome sign. Upper right: Bob Witte, Julie Sepanik, Kendra Williams, and Mike McAfee being persuaded to buy raffle tickets. Middle: Fall view of Scarborough Hall. Lower right: Students enjoying the beer tent during the Homecoming festivities. This page, upper left: While Al the Security Guard is inside, the students are ticketing his car. Upper right: Julio DelReal and Mike Walters at a party. Can you believe it? Someone be- sides Shlep is taking a picture of Shlep. Lower left: The Cummings driveway. Lower right: Dave Marx: you can dress him up, but you can't take him anywhere.

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Other recent changes which have met with varying de- grees of opposition fall into the category of overall col- lege atmosphere. Wholesale lin scope, not costl changes have been made in Burpee Center, resulting in a beauti- ful, new Admissions and Fi- nancial Aid Office and remod- eled Registration and Busi- ness Offices. To accomodate these changes, the student- ffaculty snack bar was moved from Burpee to John- son Center Qnow the spa- cious, ever-popular Lion's Deny. Upstairs in Burpee fur- ther remodeling took place, resulting in fairly impressive administration oflices, a ren- ovated Forrest Cool Lounge, and an imposing - if rather functionless - balcony. Other changes on the campus' in- clude the closing of Mciiaw Hall in favor of reopening Castor, Nelson, and Olson halls, alterations in the es- cort and visitation policies, and the replacement of the Rolling R symbol with the Re- gent Lion. Though not per- haps as obvious as the pro- gram changes, the atmo- spheric changes have sub- stantially altered the look and feel of the Rockford Col- lege campus. Upper: Dr. Joel Rodney working to enact some of his enthusiastic plans. Lower left: Rockford College also saw changes in the Admissions Offices with the addition of Gerald Wuori. Lower right: Dr. Rodney giving a speech at opening day Convocation. lntroduct on 5