2025 Alumni Award Nominations Logo
  • 2025 Alumni Award Nominations

    Each year the Alumni Association Board gives several awards to alumni at Reunion / Homecoming. These awards will be given out during our All-Alumni Awards Celebration, on September 26, 2025. If you know an alumnus/a who has done exceptional work in their field or for the University or would like to self-nominate, please submit a nomination. Please scroll to the bottom of the page to see award descriptions. If you have any questions, please call 815-226-3370. Thank you!
  • Award Descriptions:

    • Alumna/Alumnus of the Year Award – Honors an alumna and/or alumnus for invaluable service to the Alumni Association and Rockford University during the past year. One award may be given each year.

     

    • Award of Distinction – Given to Alumni for fulfilling the ideals of Rockford University and bringing honor and esteem to the University in one or more of the following ways; through their vision, dedication, and initiative in a purposeful endeavor; by their responsive and sustained efforts in community improvements; or by their notable achievements in a profession. Up to three awards may be given each year.

     

    • Karl C. Williams Award– Presented to an Alumnus for his constancy, devotion and a long history of meritorious service to Rockford University. One award may be given each year.

     

    • Mary Ashby Cheek Award- Given in honor of Dr. Mary Ashby Cheek, Rockford College president from 1937-1954, to a past or present non-alumni member of the Rockford University community for enriching the university experience of many by exemplifying the ideals of the University. One award may be given each year. 

     

    • Outstanding Young Alumni Award – Given to an alumna/us who has finished her/his Rockford University tenure within the last 15 years. This alumna/us will have fulfilled the ideals of Rockford University by vision, dedication, and initiative in a purposeful endeavor, or through responsible and sustained efforts in the improvements of a community, or a notable achievement in a profession, thus having brought honor and esteem to Rockford University. One award may be given each year.

     

    • Talcott Cross Award– The oldest Rockford University award, the Talcott Cross is awarded to an Alumna for her constancy, devotion and a long history of meritorious service to Rockford University. One award may be given each year.
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