Rock Valley College Report to the Community 2010

Design: Conflux Design Photography: Tom Guschl, Lee Ann Gustafson, Evan Fedorev, Chris Mann, Dan Van Den Broeke Copywriting: Paul Anthony Arco, Dave Costello, Andy Dolan

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. POSTAGE PAIDRockford, Illinois

Permit No. 4119

3301 North Mulford Road • Rockford, IL 61114

ROCK VALLEY COLLEGE FINANCIAL REPORTRock Valley College Operating Funds for the Year Ended June 30, 2009

O P E R A T I N G E X P E N S E S

Salaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (44%) . . . . . . . . . . 29,914,646

Employee Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (17.7%) . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,987,476

Contractual Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5.3%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,622,618

General Materials/Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (6.7%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,541,976

Travel/Conf. Mtg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1.1%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 713,650

Fixed Charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1.6%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,085,178

Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2.2%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,462,253

Amortization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0.4%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289,085

Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (11.4%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,742,767

Other Expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (9.6%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,489,325

T O TA L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67,848,974

R E V E N U E

Student Tuition & Fees (net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (11.1%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,015,084

Sales & Service Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2.1%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,513,473

State Grants & Contracts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (9.6%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,911,489

Federal Grant & Contracts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (20.9%) . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,956,008

State Appropriations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (6.8%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,855,542

Local Property Taxes .................................................. (44.5%).................... 31,896,009

Personal Property Replacement Tax . . . . . . (1.8%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,298,607

Investment Income .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0.3%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196,724

Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2.9%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,079,362

TOTAL REVENUES & CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS . . . . . . . .71,722,298

RVC BOARD OF TRUSTEESAs of March 31, 2011

Katherine M. Kelley, ChairRandall J. Schaefer, Vice ChairMike Olson, SecretaryTed BiondoRev. K. Edward CopelandKen NelsonDr. Stephanie RaachMarrisa Mora, Student Trustee

U N I Q U E P E R S P E C T I V E SThe FY 2010 RVC Annual Report to the Community carries the theme “Unique Perspectives” and true to the concept, the inspiration came from a unique source: a 12-year-old Rock Valley College student.

Photo by Evan Fedorev

In his first digital photography class through RVC’s Community and Continuing ProfessionalEducation’s Whiz Kids program (for students in kindergarten through eight grade,) 12-year-oldEvan Fedorev was encouraged to look for new views of what he was photographing. Evantook that lesson to heart and went “off the beaten path” to discover his own point of view of the RVC campus.

Following Evan’s lead, RVC has taken the same approach with the stories in this year’s annualreport. The subjects may have a hint of familiarity, but the stories are told from the uniqueperspective of individuals who have been impacted by RVC, each in their own unique way.

ROCK VALLEY COLLEGE FOUNDATION FINANCIAL REPORTFor the Year Ended June 30, 2010

E X P E N S E S

Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167,028

Fundraising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177,579

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344,607

R E V E N U E

Donations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 577,341

Special Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149,280

Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 803,060

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,529,681

E N D I N G N E T A S S E T S • J U N E 3 0 , 2 0 1 0

Unrestricted Net Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,479,810

Restricted Net Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,167,578

TOTAL NET ASSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,647,388

BEGINNING NET ASSETS, JULY 1, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . .$5,955,596

G I V I N G D I S T R I B U T I O N

Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41,000

Scholarships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116,000

Capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250,000

Jack J. Becherer, Ed.D.,President

Message from the PresidentDear Friends:I have been privileged to have a rich career in community colleges as a teacher,a counselor, an administrator and now as President of Rock Valley College.

This is my 35th year of service as a community college employee. Having worked forfive community colleges during my career, I assure you there is none better than RockValley College. It is indeed a privilege to be a part of the college and our community.

Throughout these 35 years, I have met many gifted faculty, dedicated employees and amazing students who collectively create wonderful stories about the power of a community college.

The Rock Valley College Annual Report shares some of the stories that articulatethe power of our college. They describe the ways that education creates

life changing opportunities for our constituents, and they highlight the accomplishments of Dr. Karl Jacobs, the president of RVC

for 28 years, a nearly unprecedented tenure.

I am touched by the spirit of these stories. This year the Annual Report is aptly entitled “Unique Perspectives.”

The heroes of our stories are our students who offerdifferent perspectives of what we provide. Adult learnerslike Stacey Slintak come to us later in life while workingand raising a family. While students at our Learning andOpportunity Center benefit from a location closer todowntown and the western part of our district, other students come to us right out of high school with adesire for a more traditional environment to navigatetheir course toward a four-year institution.

Dr. Karl Jacobs indeed has a unique perspective of RockValley College. His tenure with the institution was long

and his legacy lives on as his commitment to the collegeendures. Read about the tribute being built for Dr. Jacobs

by both the college and our community.

Rock Valley College has a very important perspective within ourcommunity, as well. The Rock River Region has long embraced the

college not only for the opportunities we provide to degree-seeking students,but also to those individuals who are in need of career training, assistance in startinga business, or continuing their quest for lifelong learning. We are grateful that many community leaders and organizations seek us out for support in training anddevelopment endeavors and in partnerships for meeting critical community needs.It is through such partnerships that we can all benefit from combining resources to meet common regional goals.

We are privileged to have such fine stories to share with our friends. With each suc-cess there are many individuals who have provided support – both within and outsidethe college. We appreciate those family members, friends, co-workers, and mentorswho have at some time suggested that Rock Valley College may be a resource to helpa student on a new path. Because of this perspective we are able to guide our studentstoward their accomplishments. As a result of these collaborations we can continue toplay a critical role in the success of our students and our community. As always,we are grateful for your support and the opportunity to serve you.

Dr. Glenda Ruth HildrethPatricia HoldenRonald HolmBrent L. HorsleyDean HullScott C. & Monica K. JamesDiana F. & Thomas L. JohnsonJanice L. JohnsonJanet C. & Wayne R. JonesMichael Landon & Vicki Rudh JonesSamuel N. & Pansy C. KantayyaKatherine & David KelleyKaren Kjellquist-GutierrezMr. & Mrs. Raymond La MantiaVirginia M. Labant Trust Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. LadenburgerMichael & Becky LambrechtAngela K. LarsonKeith & Michelle LarsonAlec & Vicki LayRichard & Mary LeatherbyHsiao-Hung Lee & Hsin Ying ChiClaire LindemApril M. LipnitzkyJohn F. LocascioStephanie L. LombardiMr. & Mrs. Thomas LombardoMr. & Mrs. Ronald L. LundJanet D. MaceMark ManevalKarol Howes & Michael

John ManleyFaye MarcusJohn B. & Susan M. MartocciJohn & Jennie MastersonMichael & Crystal MastroianniHarriet McCalmonMr. & Mrs. M. Michael MerrimanMr.& Mrs. Ken MillerKay MondulRosemary MorrisonMr. & Mrs. Steven NielsenJohanna D. NorrisRay & Cheryl OlsonAmy OttJohn PotempaMr. & Mrs. Klaus W. Price, Jr.Mr. & Mrs. Raymond RhoadsMr. & Mrs. Phillip RoehrigGary J. & Michelle L. RothmeyerLillie L. RudeEdward J. & Jeanne J. RudnickiMark & Libby SamuelsonGenevieve K. SandonaMr. & Mrs. Carl A. SattelbergCitizens for Randy SchaeferMr. & Mrs. Eugene SkerkoskeJo Ann M. SmithElizabeth M. Lovelady Smith

Carol M. SniderJacquelyn K. SpelmanNancy StanisKarl & Jacqueline SundbyRyan & Karissa SwansonJoan & Stan TunnellHoward & Mildred Van ValzahValisa WalkerMary WebbNancy Marie WhiteRebecca WhitlowMarion F. WilkeNorman & Charlene WillsShirley WordenDale A. & Florence K. ZealJacqueline Zickuhr

IN KIND11th Street Express Printing, Inc.320 Store IncAbFab Salon & Spa, Inc.Lara Bacino AlthausDavid & Madeleine ArnoldArtalé Wine CompanyBarry BeamanBeldenSuzanne & Don BergerBest Buy, Inc.Betty's Square Dance &

Western WearBruce BirdMr. & Mrs. Shepard BlumenthalJuliana BrandysBrio Restaurant, Wine Bar & PatioBudget Blinds of RockfordBuffalo Wild WingsBurch JewelersFrank CalvagnaCastronovo's Bridal ShopCatalent Pharma SolutionsCDW Government Inc.Celebrations DJ ServiceJerry ChamberlainCharley's Hot Philly SteaksChicago Photo SafarisChiropractic OrthopedicsCiao Bella RistoranteClock Tower Resort & CoCo

Key Water ResortDiane CushingDanica RacingJoel DryerJason EdlenEdwards Apple Orchard, Inc.Mr. & Mrs. Richard J. ElliottJoanne EysterFamous Dave'sFamous Fossil WineryFredrick J. & Mary H. Gahl

Richard & Deborah GenoveseGiovanni'sPaul & Joan GoreDr. Steven & Tina GundersonRobert & Jean HerroKimball J. & Wendy L. HigginsBuck HilbertHoffman HouseJamie HoganDonna HughesDr. & Mrs. Duane IngramInterfaceFLOR LLCInteriorsPaul IversonDr. Karl & Carol JacobsGarnett JohnsonChuck JonesKarl Schoening & Sons, Inc.KiKi B'sMr. & Mrs. Ken KlotzVicki KuhnLAMAR Outdoor AdvertisingTom & Mary Kay LaughlinLazy Dog YogaLes NomadesLiberty AlloysMr. & Mrs. Wesley E. LindbergLowesJane LyonsMcEachran Homestead,

A Sesquicentennial FarmMeg's Daily GrindMeyer Davis FarmsMid City Office ProductsJacki L. MinnihanModern Space StudioMonkey Joe'sMayor Larry MorrisseyBill & Shelly MosesThomas NicholsLinda Olson-CorrentiSam & Debra OvertonPat's Hair SalonPGA ChampionshipCarolyn RedeniusRK DixonRockford Art MuseumRockford Dance CompanyRockford Park DistrictCarole RoseRVC Community EducationDaniel & Diana SaavedraSanders Design GroupKaren SargentMr. & Mrs. William ScarpaciEugene SeeleSerenity SalonSherwin-Williams Co.Tex & Bette Shockley

Mr. Richard SilvestriniSonco's Bella RoseTheresa & John Stallings & FamilyMary StantonTheater StarlightKen & Coni SteinStudio BLUDr. & Mrs. Armer SwansonTabala Ritualistic DivanTyler's Landscaping ServicesRosemary UmenhoferUnison Industries, Inc.Van Galder Tour & TravelSteven & Joy VeeWilliam Charles, Ltd.Todd WillsPaul H. WoldYMCA of Rock River ValleyCarol Ann YoungMichael & Teresa YoungbloodMarie ZamisZaZu Gift Co.Zela Euro Salon

MATCHING COMPANIESGeneral MillsPfizer Foundation Matching

Gifts ProgramSwedishAmerican Hospital

TRIBUTE GIFT ROSTERIN HONOR OF:

DR. JACK J. BECHERERJo Carol & Lawrence J. Roy

ANDERS DAHLGRENFriends of the RVC Library

RICK JOHNSONHamilton Sundstrand

CATHERINE MANZULLOMr. & Mrs. Don Manzullo

DALE V. OIJRock Valley College Student

Government Association

MEMORIAL:SETH ATWOOD

Mr. & Mrs. Rex A. ParkerDAVID H. CASKEY

David H. Caskey Family TrustMary CaskeyMr. & Mrs. Norris K. Levis, Jr.

HARRIETT CHARLESAnnonymous

DOROTHY ANN GEIGERGoodwill Northern Illinois

MARILYN & BOYD JOHNSONAllen W. Johnson

JOHN LUNDINGoodwill Northern Illinois

AARON D. MANNINGPeggy Spangler & Daniel Diebold


RICHARD MARTINE. Susan HolmesMr. & Mrs. John HolmesWilliam R. & Helen L. HolmesLarry & Judith LarsonEdward J. & Jeanne J. RudnickiPhyllis SchmittWilliam & Kathleen Stanicek

KAREN MEADOWSStella M. DobbinsRuth Meadows

RONALD R. RAHORNMr. & Mrs. Perry AccountiMr. & Mrs. James W. AndersonLoreen BurtonBenedict & Frances ConwayHalana & John DeboMr. & Mrs. Scott W. FlemingMs. Karen HellerMr. & Mrs. Brian HesgardRoss M. HillJoanne M. JosephsonMr. & Mrs. Randall JurasekMr. & Mrs. John A. KrebsMr. & Mrs. Paul E. LarsenMr. & Mrs. Robert G. LayDan R. ManningMr. & Mrs. Raymond MarsiliEleanor Joanne MuckConstance OwensDr. and Mrs. Gerald PetersonMary RahornMr. & Mrs. Ronald D. RodakowskiDr. & Mrs. Joseph SchoeningMr. & Mrs. Stephen R. SchoeningMr. & Mrs. Thomas W. SherrardLinda SmithMr. & Mrs. Dennis T. UeharaMr. & Mrs. Michael R. WeberMr. & Mrs. Randall J. Zyvoloski

ART & BETTY SADTLERMr. & Mrs. Gerald W. GrupeErich & Jan HagenlocherKatherine LotzerVel M. WeckerlyScott & Katherine Vogg

GEORGE E. SEIDLERLinda Goldstein

“Without my daughters’ support, I would never be able to do this and I love them for that.”

Stacey Slintak and daughters (left to right) Julia (14), Andrea (9),and Lauren (12).

On April 12, 2011 at a ceremony in New Orleans, Rock Valley College student Stacey Slintak was named tothe All-USA Community College AcademicTeam. Out of more than 1,600 nomineesfrom across the nation, Stacey is one of only 20 to be so honored. This presti-gious award includes a $2,500 scholar-ship and a special mention. Because shewas the top scorer in the program fromIllinois, she was also named a Coca-ColaNew Century Scholar, and that honorincludes a $2,000 stipend.

In November, Slintak became the first Rock ValleyCollege student ever to be named the LincolnAcademy Student Laureate for community collegesin Illinois. The Student Laureate Award is presentedto one student each year for excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.

Incredible honors for a student who returned to school in 2008, unsure of her decision.

“Since I had not stepped into a classroom as a student in over 19 years, I was not sure that I could make it work,” she said.

Safe to say she has more than made it work.

RVC student named one of top 20 community college students in the nationNational honor just one of the prestigious awards won by Stacey Slintak this year

James & Shirley WaddellWal-Mart Stores, Inc.Frank & Jen WehrsteinWilliam Charles, Ltd.Wendy & Frederic Young

(Gifts of $499 - $9,999)

Allied Benefit Systems, Inc.Dave & Madeleine ArnoldThomas & Jill BeckerBMO Capital MarketsDr. Craig E. BooherStephen & Lisa CarterChapman & Cutler, LLPMichael & Patricia DavisKevin DayDickerson Nieman REALTORSEmployers' Coalition on HealthStephen K. ErnstHamilton SundstrandDonald S. HoltKarl & Carol JacobsJoseph Behr & Sons, Inc.Kimco CorporationDavid & Beverly KlintworthThomas & Fayne KniepKostantacos Law Firm, P.C.Lexus of RockfordLoRayne Logan Charitable

Fund of AEFLois H. & Thomas B. LundgrenMr. & Mrs. Don ManzulloGary & Gayle MarzoratiKathleen & Stephen McCartyRuth MeadowsJames & Helen MillikinJacki L. MinnihanAgnes MonksPatrick & Lisa MorrowRichard & Monica NewcombScott & Susan NicholasOn the Waterfront Inc.Perspectives, Ltd.Mr. & Mrs. James R. PiragesMr. & Mrs. Martin M. PocsMr. & Mrs. Robert E. PorodRock Valley College Marketing Rockford Lions Club Charity

Foundation, Inc.The Rockwell GroupBill & Terri RoopDavid & Ann SchertzSjostrom & Sons, Inc.Target Commerical InteriorsThe Carma CorporationJames & Marilyn TurnerJohn D. & Susan C. WhitcherSue & William Zillmer

(Gifts of $250 - $499)

Jeff & Chris BeckBenchmark Flooring Inc.Brent & Susie BernardiEstelle M. Black Library Resource

Fund of the Community Foundationof Northern Illinois

Dr. Connie Vitali & Mark BradelLynn Fisher CarlsonCasler FoundationMichael and Nancy Chamberlain

Chris CoolingDaniel & Sharon Cooper Donor

Advised Fidelity Charitable Gift FundCorporate Benefit Consultants, Inc.James & Carol CoxDavid & Amy DiazTodd & Kaye EckstaineMr. & Mrs. C. Lowell EdwardsFriends of the RVC LibraryAntonio J. HerreraITG SolutionsDr. Kurt & Susan JensenBrian KobischkaDiane & Ed KuehlMarilyn LindemanLindstrom TravelMr. & Mrs. Charles R. LindstromMr. & Mrs. Peter LonswayRoger & Nancy LundstromMr. & Mrs. Charles C. LyfordNelson Carlson

Mechanical ContractorsDale V. & Pala R. OijKatie & Ken PetersonRockford Chamber of CommerceRockford Charter Coach, LLCRockford Egg Harbor, LLCRon Carlson ElectricSam's ClubDennis & Susan SchreierDavid & Janna ShwaikoJack & Barbara SimonGerald J. & Barbara L. SmithJo Ann M. SmithSOLD ON TONI INC.Robert & Jan StenstromLawrence & Tricia SweeneySteve ThompsonRobert & Norma TrojanMr. & Mrs. Greg WearMary C. & Richard G. WolfRay & Nola WoodAmos & Carma YoderKaren & Marc Zussman

(Gifts of $100 - $249)

Marsha & Larry AckermanJessica AdkinsAnderson Charitable FoundationMr. & Mrs. Brad E. AndersonDavid L. AnderzonAPCO Sign SystemsDavid & Diana BarthelmanMr. & Mrs. James BehrensmeyerMr. & Mrs. Robert BennettStephen Coyle BHFX

Digital ImagingJeanne L. BiddleCharles & Penny Billman, Jr.William & Katie BoughtonMr. & Mrs. William BranomMr. & Mrs. William J. BremnerAmy BrewerCharles & Becky BrownDavid & Karen BrownMitchell & Andrea BuschCardinal Glass CompanyJane & Dave CarlsonJeff & Linda Carlson

Guy & Paula CarynskiWilliam J. & Margaret A. CasonJoe & Sue CastrogiovanniCiao Bella RistoranteJames & Connie CoffeyWilliam & Mary ConklingJames & Cynthia ConleyDr. & Mrs. Dennis CorcoranDave & Becky CostelloMark & Lesly CouperDominick & Terry DemonicaDavid & Sara DeutschCharles & Regina DibenedetoXuan DinhAndrew & Beri DolanMichael R. DomJoe & Donna DroughtDoug DuncanMary Ann EiblerPeter & Harula EliopoulosEugene & Carol ElliottJoe & Ellie EtminanJanyce EvistonJanyce B. FaddenRuthe Ann FalkDr. & Mrs. Joseph FanaraLaVona FarneyKyle W. FellFidelity Charitable Gift FundStephen & Barbara FleemanKen FlowersMr. & Mrs. Gregory L. FranchiniSteven FransenTom & Darlene FurstGuy & Debra GehlhausenLinda E. GerberNed & Kimberley GilletteRoy S. & Alicia J. GoralJohn & Kaylene GrohDr. & Mrs. Tao GuoMr. & Mrs. Eugene M. GustafsonGuyer & Enichen, P.C., LawyersTroy & Katie HaggestadDr. & Mrs. Norm HagmanDavid G. HagneyTrish HardeyJohn & Theresa HarezlakGreg R. & Sherry L. HarlanJane & Larry HeimerTherese & Robert HlavinJohn & Celeste HolevasAnthony J. HolubShirley S. Holzwarth Donor Advised

Fidelity Charitable Gift FundShirley S. HolzwarthJoe & Sally HugginsEhren & Christie JarrettJeremy JenningsBonnie M. JohnsonGeorge J. & Alice P. J. JohnsonWilliam H. & Bonnnie M. JohnsonBeverly L. JonesJason & Brandi JonesDave H. KeaggyJames & Pamela Keeling/Green

Pass-through Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois

Rod & Michele Kimes

Curt KleckerDave & Judy KochMr. & Mrs. Peter C. KostantacosBill & Jaci KousoulasPauline L‘HeureuxMr. & Mrs. Robert G. LayDougas LeeSusan LewandowskiJeff & Carol LinkenheldPaul & Jody LogliJane & Benjamin LyonsVincent & Sheila MadamaBrenden & Pam MaherKent & Marti MallquistManagement Resource Group, Ltd.Jeff & Victoria ManeyCharles MartinAmy C. MassothRobert W. McCarthyEllen & John McHughDr. Evan McHughAllan & Beverly MerfeldMarcia L. MuellerJudith C. NewellDaniel & Maureen NormanJ. Daniel & Jodi L. O�BoylePamela & Terry OwensAnne ParkerMr. & Mrs. Rex A. ParkerDan & Holly ParodDerek & Angela PerkinsJoesph J. PerkoskiRegina M. PottsRoss & Lynne PrattCharles J. ProrokVincent & Claryce QuinlanTomas & Mary QuinnJoel & Annette RadakovitzMisha & Daca RadichMr. & Mrs. George T. Ralph IIIRichard E. & SeDell RehfeldtReister Engineering Inc.Darlene K. & Timothy J. RiddleJudge & Mrs. Stanley

J. RoszkowskiApril & Edward RottmanElizabeth & Tim RussoSam W. & Mazie J. RuzicSAMCOJohn & Shirley SchouDon & Linda SchreinerDr. Edric & Ellissa SchwartzSenator Dave Syverson

Campaign CommitteeSmith Oil CorporationJane Liljedahl SmithDave & Pam SocknessGregory G. SotirosThe Specialists, Inc.Gregory J. SpitzerJohn & Sue SpitzerLana & David StenersonCynthia StonesiferTimothy & Karin StormMr. & Mrs. Mark P. SudderbergTerracon Consultants, Inc.Charles & Robin ThompsonDavid & Candace ThompsonJohn & Dara Tysver

Jim WangMr. & Mrs. Kevin WheelerWIFR-TVMr. & Mrs. Donald P. WilliamsWilliams-Manny Charitable TrustM. Darlene WilsonPeter E. WojtowiczGreg & Brenda YorkMichael & Teresa YoungbloodLarry & Patricia ZacharyDonald & Mary ZierkeSandra A. Zumwalt

(Gifts of $0 - $99)

2 Anonymous DonorsDonald J. BanksVeronica M. BazanMr. & Mrs. Frederick H. BeckLorene BenzelLeota Benzel-SchillingDonna BergnerDick & Nancy BlackburnMargaret R. BlaisdellLarry G. BoekeRuth BowerMr. & Mrs. Thomas E. BrownMatt & Kristina CascioBarbara L. ClarkJim & Libby ClarkJohn R. & Mary A. ConleyJohn ConleyCharles E. & Anna Marie CorleyMr.& Mrs. Mark R. CulhaneGregory & Deborah CussenMargaret D. DahlgrenMr. & Mrs. Louis J. DeBenedettoDelta Kappa Gamma Beta

Gamma ChapterPaul W. DickoverVicki DiehlMr. & Mrs. John DixonLisa L. DollMr. & Mrs. William DoranMr. &Mrs. Donald D. DrayMary K. DuaneTracy EckburgSandra E. EllisonElsie R. EstabrookJanyce EvistonThomas & Lisa FinchRyan & Tracey FitzgeraldJennifer & Charlie FrittsLois A. FulkersonFrank R. GarrisonGeorgalee GeorgeRev. James L. & Helen M. GibbonsJessica GonzalesGoodSearchPaula GruederMr. & Mrs. Alfred H. HagmenCarol M. & Wendell R. HaldersonSheryl B. HallCarol HansonMr. & Mrs. Terry HedmanShaine HenertDaniel & Cathy HerdemanDeena HergertMr. & Mrs. Rodger Hergert

“It has been overwhelming,” says Slintak.“This whole process has shown me just how manystudents are making a difference at their schools.I keep asking ‘Why me?’”

One reason why is because she has become aleader. Her early involvement with RVC’s OmicronEta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the official honorsociety of two-year colleges, has served as thespring-board for the numerous activities she nowfinds herself engaged in at RVC. In her two yearsserving on Phi Theta Kappa in the roles of VicePresident of Service (’09-’10) and Vice President ofLeadership (’10-’11), she has led several importantprojects, including developing a partnership withRockford Sharefest. Through this partnership, shehas coordinated volunteer efforts to help repairfour local schools over the last two years.

Her leadership skills emerged again in the fall of 2009 when she helped establish a new Senatorposition for the Student Government Association inthe form of the Special Needs Senator. This newposition, which Slintak was elected to, is designedto create a bridge of communication between students with disabilities, RVC’s Coordinator ofDisability Support Services, and SGA.

In her time at RVC, Slintak has also served asStudent Treasurer for the Future Educator’s Society,

and as a tutor for RVC’s Tutoring Center, all whilemaintaining a 4.0 GPA as part of the College’sHonors Program.

And then there’s her full-time job- raising her threedaughters, Julia (14), Lauren (12), and Andrea (9).All three love attending events at Rock ValleyCollege and being involved in their mom’s latestcollege adventure.

“Without my daughters’ support, I would never be able to do this and I love them for that,”says Slintak.

She also loves her RVC family and appreciatesthat they made her feel welcome from the verybeginning when she admits she was scared abouthow she would fit in with the younger students oncampus. She now can’t go anywhere on campuswithout seeing a familiar face.

Soon she will have to say goodbye to her RVC family when she graduates in May, but she has left behind a legacy that will hopefully encouragethat next non-traditional student who may be fearful of returning to college.

“It will be difficult to leave my leadership rolesbehind, however, encouraging others to see theseopportunities as their own next steps will bring a sense of closure to this chapter of my life.”

“I hadn’t stepped into a classroom as a student in over 19 years. I wasn’t sure that I could make it work.”

(Cumulative gifts of$1,000,000 or more)

Sjostrom & Sons Foundation

Robert W. Stenstrom

Woodward, Inc.

(Cumulative gifts between$100,000 to $999,999)

AMCORE Financial, Inc.

AMCORE Foundation, Inc.

Jean A. Bullen Trust

CLARCOR Foundation

Illinois Community College System Foundation

Harlan J. & Elsie IngwalsonCharitable Trust

Karl L. & Jeanette E. Nelson Trust

Dean A. Olson Foundation

Lydia Luhman Pederson Charitable Trust

Donald H. Wrork, MD Charitable Trust


Nancy E. Anderson Estate

Eloise K. Eshbaugh Trust

Mrs. Ross Edgar Hunt

Marjorie Brookman Marlowe Trust

John & Roberta Mink

OSF St. Anthony Medical Center

Rockford Health System

Sundstrand CorporationFoundation

Suntec Industries, Inc.

SwedishAmerican Health System

Winnebago County Dental Society

(Cumulative gifts between$10,000 and $49,999)

Anonymous DonorAlpine BankAmerican CenturyAnderson Industries, Inc.Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc.Arc Design Resources, Inc.Atwood FoundationBank One FoundationBank One-Rockford N.A.Mr.* & Mrs. Ralph BartelsDr. William & Leah BaskinDr. Jack J. & Janna K. BechererSuzanne & Don BergerBergstrom Manufacturing

CompanyBergstrom, Inc. Charitable

FoundationBlackhawk State BankMr. & Mrs. Charles M. Bradley* Dr. James Stanford BrownBonnie B. CartierMary CaskeyMr. & Mrs. Frank ChmelikIna Cholke & Olga Dean

Bullard TrustChrysler CorporationCitizen�s Scholarship Foundation

of AmericaCity Fire Fighters Local 413Thomas L. Clinton, Sr.Community Foundation

of Northern IllinoisJames & Carol CoxDain Rauscher, Inc.DankaMike & Pat DavisDynacorp, Inc.Elco Textron, Inc.Forest City GearThe Funderburg FoundationGannett FoundationMr. & Mrs. Joseph T. Geraghty, Jr.Thomas D. GibbonsGloyd Family FoundationGoodwill of Northern IllinoisBill & Sue GorskiThe Grainger FoundationGreenlee Textron, Inc.Haldex Hydraulics CorporationJane Hawkins-HoffThe Helm Group, Inc.Shirley S. HolzwarthHughes Business Telephones, Inc.Jennifer HustonIllinois Water Treatment, Inc.Ingersoll Milling Machine CompanyAllen W. JohnsonJohnson Controls FoundationJohnson Controls, Inc.

David D. Kalber TrustJanet KjellstromDr. and Mrs.* William J. KramerLeonard J. LaPassoJane S. Marlowe*Clint Maslen*Mattison Foundation, Inc.Mattison Machine WorksMr. and Mrs. Richard J. McIntoshMarian & George* MeadowsMechanical, Inc.Karen & John MessleyNIBCARichard D. NordlofNorth American Tool CorporationOlson Aluminum CastingsAnn L. OswaldJack W. & LaVonne A. Packard

Fund of the RockfordCommunity Foundation

Pepsi-Cola Rockford Bottling Co.Pillsbury-Green GiantPoplar Grove State BankJohn T. QuirkRBC Dain Rauscher, Inc.RJ Galla Company, Inc.Rock Valley College Student

CommissionRock Valley College Student

Government AssociationRockford Acromatic ProductsRockford Ambulatory

Surgery CenterRockford Anesthesiologists

Associated, LLCRockford Powertrain, Inc.Rockford Products Corp.Rockford Surgical Service, S.C.Dan & Michelle RojoSaavedra Gehlhausen ArchitectsSavant Capital Management, Inc.George & Frances Schwenkner

Chartitable Trust Sjostrom & Sons FoundationStenstrom FoundationRobert & Jan StenstromJames StormontStudents In Free EnterpriseSundstrand CorporationSundstrand Corporation -

Data ControlSwedishAmerican HospitalSwedishAmerican Medical

FoundationFrank & Jen WehrsteinW. A. Whitney CorporationWilliam Charles, Ltd.Williams McCarthy, LLPEdward & Kathryn Way FundYABA of Northern Illinois

Bowling Foundation

(Gifts of $100,000 or more)

Woodward, Inc.(Gifts of $25,000 to $99,999)

AMCORE Foundation, Inc.Mary CaskeyMarjorie Brookman Marlowe TrustRockford Health SystemRock Valley College Student

Government AssociationDonald H. Wrork MD

Charitable Trust

(Gifts of $10,000 to $24,999)

Atwood FoundationIna Cholke & Olga Dean

Bullard TrustFunderburg FoundationGoodwill Northern IllinoisGrainger FoundationHelm Group, Inc.Richard D. NordlofMechanical, Inc.Savant Capital Management Inc.

(Gifts of $5,000 to $9,999)

AnnonymousDavid H. Caskey Family TrustStenstrom FoundationCity of RockfordJohn T. QuirkDr. Jack J. & Janna K. BechererRJ Galla Company, Inc.SwedishAmerican HospitalBill & Sue GorskiLoRayne LoganRockford Ambulatory

Surgery CenterOSF St. Anthony Medical CenterJane Hawkins-HoffOlson Aluminum Castings

(Gifts of $2,500 to $4,999)

Alpha Controls & Services, LLCAlpine BankArc Design Resources, Inc.Belvidere IOU ClubBergstrom Charitable TrustDemonica DelMuro AssociatesForest City GearBrian & Kari HelmBrian Kobishka Donor Advised

Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois

Richard & Grace Leighton Donor Advised Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois

Mr. & Mrs. W. David MarkJohn & Roberta MinkNIBCARobbins, Schwartz, Nicholas, Lifton

& Taylor, Ltd.Rockford Bank & TrustRockford Orthopedic Associates, Ltd.

Saavedra Gehlhausen ArchitectsDaniel & Diana SaavedraStudents In Free EnterpriseSikich LLPSteiner/Kerman Employee

Assistance FoundationWilliamsMcCarthy, LLPJack & Peggy Wolf

(Gifts of $1,000 to $2,499)

Alpine KiwanisAssociated Bank IllinoisAviva Life & Annuity CompanyDr. & Mrs. William BaskinBelvidere Area Chamber

of CommerceSuzanne & Don BergerJames M. BonaviaBradford Systems CorporationTom BuddCoyle-Varland InsuranceDean A. Olson FoundationDrs. Dale & Elaine DrakeKen & Antoinette DufourRobert S. GieseckeLinda GoldsteinDr. Steven & Tina GundersonHanson Professional Services, Inc.Ronald V. HarrisIllinois Community College

System FoundationJohn T. Wolf Charitable Trust IIAllen W. JohnsonKJWW, P.C.Charles B. & Barbara A. KullbergLeonard J. LaPassoMr. & Mrs. Bill LawsonKaren & John MessleyHoward MetzDr. & Mrs. W. Stephen MinoreDiane & Grant NyhammerBarclay & Debra OlsonSam & Debra OvertonPMA Financial Network, Inc.RK DixonRockford East/Cherry Valley

Rotary ClubRandy & Debi SchaeferGeorge & Frances Schwenkner

Charity TrustSheet Metal Workers Local Union

No. 219Sjostrom & Sons FoundationSpecialty FloorsSreenan & Cain, P.C.Marcia D. StenstromJames & Nancy SylvesterUPS Foundation, Inc.

Rock Valley College Foundation ContributorsIn appreciation of gifts received from July 1, 2009 through January 31, 2011

Karl Jacobs served as president of Rock Valley College from1969 to 1997. During his 28-year tenure, Jacobs worked to create many academic programs and building projects to serve the college as well as the region.

To recognize the accomplishments of its former leader, Rock Valley College

has named its new science and math building the Karl J. Jacobs Center for

Science and Math. The addition of the 106,000-square-foot building will

allow the college to increase course offerings in science and math.

The center is scheduled to open on August 15, 2011, which happens

to be the day Jacobs celebrates his 81st birthday and his 52nd

wedding anniversary with his wife, Carol.

A unique perspective on establishing RVC’s community ties

The state-of-the-art Karl J. Jacobs Center for Science and Math opensfor classes this fall.

Dr. Karl Jacobs was one of the longest serving college presidents in Illinois history.The impact that Karl and his wife of morethan 50 years, Carol, have had on RockValley College is still felt today.

President Dr. faculty andthe final be

* In Memoriam

R V C V I S I O NAs our community’s college, we make a difference throughteaching, learning and leading.

RVC FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

David H. ArnoldRVC Professor Emeritus

Brent BernardiAlpha Controls Inc.

Stephen T. Casper*Woodward, Inc.

James R. Cox**Community Leader

Michael W. DavisCommunity Leader

Brian DeBenedettoAlpine Bank

Dale A. DrakeDrs. Drake, Ltd.

Bill Gorski, M.D.SwedishAmerican Health System

Steven A. Gunderson*, DORockford Ambulatory Surgery Center/Rockford Anesthesiologists Associated

Jane Hawkins-HoffCommunity Leader

Brian HelmMechanical Inc.

Robert J. King*Associated Bank

Douglas LeeHarris Investment Group N.A.

LoRayne Loganworkplace

Roger E. LundstromCommunity leader

John W. MinkCommunity Leader

Patrick W. MorrowAlpine Bank

Thomas A. Muldowney**Savant Capital Management

Tad OlsonOlson Aluminum Castings

Timothy J. Rollins*WilliamsMcCarthy LLP

Michelle Scandroli*Community Leader

Robert W. StenstromStenstrom Companies, Ltd.

James S. WaddellCommunity Leader

Frank WehrsteinDickerson Nieman REALTORS

Wendy Young**Forest City Gear Company

* Term began 7/1/10** Term ended 6/30/10

As I begin my tenure with the Rock Valley College Foundation,I am moved by the extraordinary outpouring of support from the community through the years. We are proud of the number of generous donors that annually support our organization.Their dedication to community-based education and job training is critical to the very vitality of our region.

Donors and community partners make a difference in the lives of our students through scholarships, grants to faculty for teaching enrichment, aviation tool kits, internships, and capitalenhancements, just to name a few.

On behalf of the Foundation Board of Directors, college leadership,faculty, and students, I sincerely thank each and every one of you,our donors, for supporting the Rock Valley College Foundation.

Pamela K. Owens, CFREExecutive Director, RVC Foundation and College Advancement Karl: When I came to Rock Valley from Flint, Michigan, I didn’t

give much thought about how long I’d be here. I knew the aver-age stay for a college president was six years. I accepted thejob and immediately found out the college was virtually broke.Even the Rockford rotary didn’t accept me as a member. That’swhat they thought about Rock Valley. I went home discouraged.I had to figure out a strategy to win the community over.

Carol: Our children were two and three when we moved toRockford, so I was busy finding preschools for the kids. Manypeople were helpful, especially Vivian Hickey, who lent us herhouse for a month when she was out of town. That was a bighelp to us because we didn’t have a lot of money.

I was also involved in starting a faculty women’s club, we’dgathered for tea and other social events, and raised money forcampus activities, including a holiday fair and the clock on thebridge. In the 1970s I went to work full-time. I taught in theRockford Public School system for 26 years as an art teacher at Lincoln and East, as well as a reading specialist. I alsotaught part-time at Rock Valley College.

Karl: We did a lot of entertaining in our home. We would invitecommunity members, cast members from Starlight Theater,or fireside chats with members of the Student Commission.We didn’t have any help, so we did it all. I did all the shopping,Carol prepared all the food, our eight-year-old son, Erik, was a bartender, and our seven-year-old daughter, Lisa, served horsd’oeuvres. Other university presidents said we were out of ourminds, but it had to be done. We had to involve the communityand build some sense of cohesiveness within the institution.

Carol: We worked hard together. We really were a unique familyand always had a very strong relationship.

Karl: Carol’s involvement was vital. It was a real team effort.I had 100 percent support at home. The decision to move here wasours. If she didn’t want to come, it would never have worked.

Carol: People say when Karl was president it was like family.

Karl: We tried hard to involve people in the decision making.It wasn’t a one-man show. I had very wonderful and skilledadministrators, faculty and employees.

Carol: When Karl retired, we decided to stay in Rockford. It’sour community. We wouldn’t dream of leaving. We are both veryinvolved. He volunteered to lead Midway Village Museum whenthey were without a president, and he’s been involved withSwedishAmerican Health System for many years and serves ona manufacturing board. I’ve been involved with the RockfordPublic Library Foundation.

Karl: I got the biggest satisfaction from watching this collegegrow. People would ask me all the time, why did you want tomove to Rockford? This institution, to me, is an opportunity forpeople who would not otherwise have an opportunity for educa-tion. Taking one course might be the difference between havinga job or not having a job.

Carol: I was speechless when we found out about the KarlJacobs Center for Science and Math. It is absolutely awesome.

Karl: I was overwhelmed. I didn’t expect it. The way I looked atit the board paid me to do a job and I tried to earn my keepevery day. My philosophy is you have to have a sense of owner-ship and a sense of detachment at the same time. It was nevermy college or my faculty. I was on the payroll like everyoneelse. And I loved the unpredictability each day brought.

Recently, the Jacobs reminisced about the nearly three decades they spent at Rock Valley College.

Construction of the 110,000 square foot facility has served as an ongo-ing reminder of the growth and progress taking place at RVC.

Jack Becherer and Dr. Jacobs were among dozens of RVC staff who left their mark on the new building by signing

am installed in the new facility.

“I knew coming in that I wasn’t as experienced aseveryone else. I only played three years in high schooland didn’t play any club volleyball,” says Bourquin.“I really focused on getting better without any pressureto compete right away.”

She feels Rock Valley College prepared her well bothathletically and academically for the jump to a DivisionI school like UW. Because the level of play at RVC wasquicker and more competitive than high school,Bourquin reasons it wasn’t as overwhelming for her tomake the jump to Division I as it might be for a fresh-man coming directly from high school. Academically,she credits RVC for helping her develop different studyhabits than she had in high school, while also teachingher the importance of time management.

While Bourquin was enjoying her experience in Madison,Olsen was suiting up for her sophomore season at RVCdespite inquiries from other schools who wanted her to transfer after her freshman season.

“I told Ben to tell any schools that called that I didn’twant to leave,” says Olsen.

Their loss was RVC’s gain. Olsen earned All Americanhonors for the second straight season and led theGolden Eagles to an undefeated conference season,a regional championship, and a third place finish at the NJCAA national tournament.

What’s next for this dynamic duo?

Bourquin is preparing for the fall volleyball season at UWwhere she will have two years of eligibility remaining.She is on track to earn a bachelor’s in biology and wantsto attend graduate school at UW for physical therapy.

Olsen may go out on top as far as volleyball is concerned. She has fought knee injuries during both her seasons at RVC and says “volleyball won’t last forever.” She wants to focus on a career in nursinginstead. But, if the right opportunity comes along tokeep playing and still follow her career goals,she says she’ll consider it.

If they had the opportunity, both say they would still be playing at RVC.

“We always joke that we wishRVC was a four-year school so we could have playedtogether longer,” saysBourquin.

A future physical therapistand a future nurse, theirpaths seem destined tocross again someday.

Natalie Olsen

After earning his GED with honors last year, RoyceStricker was ready to move on with his education.What he wasn’t prepared for was the transition ofheading off to a large campus setting. Instead, the 18-year-old Rockford resident signed up for threeclasses at Rock Valley College’s new downtownLearning and Opportunity Center (LOC), which providesassistance for students who have not earned a collegedegree and are interested in obtaining, or continuing,higher education.

“College is hard enough and the LOC helped me a lot,”he said. “It was close to home, the class size was smalland the parking was convenient. It was very pleasant; I liked everything about it.”

Rock Valley opened the satellite site last fall to address the needs of students who live west of down-town and find it difficult to get to the college’s east-side campus to continue their education. The LOC islocated on the second floor of Stewart Square at 308 West State Street.

RVC is working to attract and retain first-generation,nontraditional students to the new facility. “The LOC is a smaller facility that offers a comfortable, less-intimidating environment for students,” said SuzanneDooley, director of the LOC. “The LOC is ideal for students who are new to college, live closer to down-town than the main campus or Stenstrom Center,or work in the downtown area. It’s a good stepping stone before they get to the main campus.”

The 11,000-square foot facility features two classrooms and two computer rooms, along withadministrative offices, conference and meeting rooms,and a student lounge. The LOC is just two blocks fromthe Rockford Mass Transit bus terminal, which can save many students a transfer for a 45-minute ride to RVC’s main campus.

“The location of the LOCin downtownRockford is justwonderful,” saidJohn Cressman, execu-tive director of the RockfordHousing Authority. “It will present all kinds of opportunities for folks to reenergize their education.We look forward to continuing our partnership that hasalways been successful in the past with Rock ValleyCollege. We’ll do anything at the housing authority we can to support this effort.”

The LOC offers an ever-expanding, flexible class schedule including general education, college-creditcourses such as biology, history, English, math and student development. In addition, students can findone-on-one counseling, financial aid information,placement testing, tutoring and small group of students (cohorts) who study and move from class to class together. A typical class holds between 24 to 36 students.

All LOC professors are RVC instructors who come with plenty of experience. “With the population we’retargeting, we wanted someone who is comfortable in their role as an instructor, comfortable in their role as a mentor, and who is comfortable thinkingout of the box when working with various personalitytypes within the student body,” Dooley said.

Eldridge Gilbert, is one of those instructors.He’s taught history at RVC for 16 years and sought the opportunity to teach at the LOC. “I really have high hopes for this campus,” he said. “I sense a greater sense of commitment to learning by these students. There is an opportunity here they might not have otherwise.”

Rock Valley College moves into the neighborhoodLearning and Opportunity Center comes to downtown Rockford

Kristy Bourquin and Natalie Olsen. Youmay have seen them together in one ofthose TV commercials that promote themany opportunities for success offeredby Rock Valley College—All Americans@Rock Valley College.

But what is the real story behind their success? Andwhat influence did Rock Valley College have on thesetwo volleyball All Americans as they went their separateways after the 2009 season?

It may seem unimaginablenow, but the day then RVChead volleyball coach BenStaupe discovered Olsen,he was actually there torecruit her high schoolteammate Alexys Cleaver.Staupe was so impressedwith Olsen’s jumping

ability that he toldher he didn’t care

how muchplaying expe-rience shehad. Hewanted herto visit RVC.

When Olsen came to campus she walked into his officeand met two of his then current players, the 6’1 AshleyYates and another girl who stood at 6’0. Kristy Bourquin.

“I think he was trying to intimidate me by making me think all of the girls at the college level were tall,”recalls Olsen. “It worked because I thought RVC would be a very competitive place to play.”

Bourquin helped in the recruiting process that day byjoining her on a tour of campus. Just months later, thetwo would be named NJCAA All Americans and wouldbe starring in a TV commercial together.

New opportunities arose for each player. Bourquin wasgraduating and had considered transferring to theUniversity of Wisconsin to finish her bachelor’s degree.She wasn’t thinking about a volleyball career there until Staupe talked her into trying to make the team as a walk-on.

Before she knew it, Bourquin was in Madison on a college visit and was invited by UW head volleyballcoach Pete Waite to compete at a summer camp with all of his top recruits. Waite had never seen her play until she showed up at camp. He liked what he saw and he asked Bourquin to come to preseason in August.

Bourquin made the team. She “redshirted” in 2010 and will make her Big Ten debut this fall.

Kristy Bourquin

RVC gives unique opportunity to a pair of All-Americans

Rock Valley College satellite site, theLearning and Opportunity Center (LOC),is located on the second floor of StewartSquare at 308 West State Street.

Photo left: Suzanne Dooley, Director, RVC Learning and Opportunity Center

Students in Rebecca Maas’ biology classget hands on with the building blocks oflife at the Learning and Opportunity Center.

RVC-SIFE wins regionaltitle and national topicawardRVC’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team earned first place in SIFE’sNational Entrepreneurship TopicCompetition on May 12, 2010. In April,RVC-SIFE earned the title of RegionalChampion for the sixth year in a row.

The regional competition held inRosemont, Illinois included 55 collegesand universities. Rock Valley College wasthe only two-year college in our regionto earn a regional championship title,and one of only six community collegesnation-wide to advance to nationals.

At nationals, RVC-SIFE chose to com-plete a Global Small Business Incubatorproject. RVC-SIFE partnered with theirSam Walton Fellow and RVC Instructor,Stacy McCaskill, to launch the Incubator,which has achieved partnership withAfrican Development of Economics andthe Arts (ADEA) in Mtwara, Tanzania,

East Africa and with Jhoole Inc. ofMeheswar, Madhyra Pradesh, India. Indeveloping the Global Small BusinessIncubator, SIFE team members haveassisted these non-profit fair tradeorganizations in the areas of qualitycontrol, production capacity, marketing,and overall strategic planning.

DeRoberts named 2010 Coca-Cola Bronze ScholarRVC Sustainable Energy Systems stu-dent Dylan DeRoberts won a $1,000cash award for his scores earned in theAll-USA Academic Team competition.

This program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and is admin-istered by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.The Gold, Silver and Bronze Scholarswere listed in a special section of USATODAY on April 19, 2010.

Sawicki accepts National ScienceFoundation FellowshipRock Valley College student Jim Sawickiaccepted a National Science FoundationFellowship to work with Dr. NarayanHosmane, Department of Chemistry andBiochemistry at Northern Illinois University.

Sawicki now attends the University ofIllinois at Chicago and majors in chemistryand minors in physics and mathematics.

Omicron Eta Chapter of PTK honored nationallyThe Omicron Eta Chapter of Phi ThetaKappa at Rock Valley College receivedthree national awards at the PTK AnnualConvention in Orlando, Florida in April.

RVC was named a Top 100 Chapter,Yasotha Vecravah was named aDistinguished Chapter Officer and Amy Diaz, the college’s Associate VicePresident of Student Development wasgiven an Administrator Award ofDistinction.

This year, more than 400 chapters com-peted for the society’s most covetedawards. The Hallmark Awards Programis PTK’s capstone awards competitionannually recognizing excellence in programs that promote the Phi ThetaKappa Hallmarks of Scholarship,Leadership, Service and Fellowship.

RVC MathematicsDepartment honors twoThe Mathematics Department at RockValley College awarded honors to a pairof RVC students in 2010. Carson Meenawon the 19th R. David Gustafson Prizein Mathematics and Christina Gillearned the Kyle D. Mitchell MemorialAward in Mathematics.

Julie Hernandez named 2011 RVC Faculty of the YearDr. Julie Hernandez, Associate Professorof Psychology, was honored as the 2011recipient of the Rock Valley CollegeFaculty of the Year award. Hernandezhas taught at the college for ten years.Hernandez is the 23rd recipient of theaward, which went to Linden Griesbach,Associate Professor of Electronics andComputer Information Systems in 2010.

More than $130,000 in scholarships awarded by RVC FoundationThe Rock Valley College Foundationreceived hundreds of applications forscholarships in 2010. Funded throughcommitment and generosity of donors,the RVC Foundation was able to awardover $130,000 in scholarships for the2010-2011 academic year.

RVC hosts Green EnergySummitRVC hosted the first Green EnergySummit on October 22, 2010. The eventbrought together representatives fromRVC’s engineering faculty to discuss thecollege’s newly created Associate inApplied Science in Sustainable EnergySystems with representatives from non-profit groups like Freedom FieldRenewable Energy, the ElectronicsTechnicians Association International,the Illinois Renewable Energy Association,the Illinois Solar Energy Association, andEigerlab. The summit promoted access toskilled, professional experts, assistancein the development of products andservices and incubator opportunities.

RVC named MilitaryFriendly School Rock Valley College was honored withinclusion on a list of Military FriendlySchools put out by G.I. Jobs. The listhonors the top 15 percent of colleges,universities and trade schools, that aredoing the most to embrace America’sveterans as students. Criteria includeefforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students, results in recruiting military and veteran stu-dents, and academic accreditations.

Schools range from state universitiesand private colleges to community col-leges and trade schools. The commonbond is their shared priority of recruit-ing students with military experience.Rock Valley College is one of only 1,220schools nationwide to make the list.More than 7,000 were considered.

Foundation adds newmembersFive new members were named to the RVC Foundation Board in 2010.Unanimously accepted to the board in May 2010 were: Steve Casper,Commercial Operations Manager forWoodward; Dr. Steve Gunderson, CEO,Medical Director of RockfordAmbulatory Surgery/RockfordAnesthesiologists Associated; RobertKing, Vice President/Senior BusinessDevelopment Officer for AssociatedBank; Tim Rollins, partner in the lawfirm of WilliamsMcCarthy LLP; andMichelle Scandroli, Community Leader.The foundation board currently has 23 members.

44th RVC CommencementOn May 14, 2010, RVC’s 44thCommencement was held. More than1,100 students graduated and 380 ofthem marched before a capacity crowdof more than 4,000. Speakers for the2010 ceremony included Rock ValleyCollege’s 2010 Faculty of the YearAssociate Professor of Electronics andComputer Information Systems LindenGriesbach, and graduating studentspeaker, Gloria Wiekert.

RVC GED celebrates 25 yearsThe Adult Education Program at RockValley College held its 25th annualGraduation Recognition Ceremony onThursday, May 13, 2010. The graduatingclass was made up of 314 students who successfully completed theirGeneral Education Development (GED)high school equivalency within the previous 12 months.

Rock Valley College Provost and ChiefAcademic Officer, Dr. Diane Nyhammer,gave the graduation address.

Annually, the RVC GED and Basic Skillsprogram serves about 1,500 adults withreading entry levels ranging from 3rdgrade to college entry and above.

Foundation awards faculty and staff grantsThe RVC Foundation awarded $70,000to RVC faculty and staff to help meetcritical funding needs for equipmentand projects. The foundation’s grantcommittee received 27 grant applica-tions. Proceeds from the foundation’sannual Starry, Starry Night event fundsthese grants.

RVC alums elected toRegion IV Athletic Hall of FameFormer RVC tennis players Josh Gesnerand Natasha Rapo were part of theNJCAA Region IV Athletic Hall of Fame’s2010 induction class.

Gesner played men’s tennis for RVC’snational championship team in 2000 andon the national runner-up team in 2001.He was a two-time NJCAA All-American.

Rapo came to the United States at age12 from Croatia, where she and herfamily had spent time in a refugee camp.She was a member of RVC’s 2004national championship team and wasnamed All-American in both 2004 and2005. In 2005 she became the first NJCAADivision III player to win the NationalArthur Ashe Sportsmanship Award.

Looking back at another year of great success

Jim Sawicki, National ScienceFoundation Fellowship recipient

Photos by RVC SIFE member HannahWarren on the group’s trip to Indialast summer have become the basisfor the Jhoole Photography Project.To learn more, visit www.jhoole.com.

RVC-SIFE wins regionaltitle and national topicawardRVC’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team earned first place in SIFE’sNational Entrepreneurship TopicCompetition on May 12, 2010. In April,RVC-SIFE earned the title of RegionalChampion for the sixth year in a row.

The regional competition held inRosemont, Illinois included 55 collegesand universities. Rock Valley College wasthe only two-year college in our regionto earn a regional championship title,and one of only six community collegesnation-wide to advance to nationals.

At nationals, RVC-SIFE chose to com-plete a Global Small Business Incubatorproject. RVC-SIFE partnered with theirSam Walton Fellow and RVC Instructor,Stacy McCaskill, to launch the Incubator,which has achieved partnership withAfrican Development of Economics andthe Arts (ADEA) in Mtwara, Tanzania,

East Africa and with Jhoole Inc. ofMeheswar, Madhyra Pradesh, India. Indeveloping the Global Small BusinessIncubator, SIFE team members haveassisted these non-profit fair tradeorganizations in the areas of qualitycontrol, production capacity, marketing,and overall strategic planning.

DeRoberts named 2010 Coca-Cola Bronze ScholarRVC Sustainable Energy Systems stu-dent Dylan DeRoberts won a $1,000cash award for his scores earned in theAll-USA Academic Team competition.

This program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and is admin-istered by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.The Gold, Silver and Bronze Scholarswere listed in a special section of USATODAY on April 19, 2010.

Sawicki accepts National ScienceFoundation FellowshipRock Valley College student Jim Sawickiaccepted a National Science FoundationFellowship to work with Dr. NarayanHosmane, Department of Chemistry andBiochemistry at Northern Illinois University.

Sawicki now attends the University ofIllinois at Chicago and majors in chemistryand minors in physics and mathematics.

Omicron Eta Chapter of PTK honored nationallyThe Omicron Eta Chapter of Phi ThetaKappa at Rock Valley College receivedthree national awards at the PTK AnnualConvention in Orlando, Florida in April.

RVC was named a Top 100 Chapter,Yasotha Vecravah was named aDistinguished Chapter Officer and Amy Diaz, the college’s Associate VicePresident of Student Development wasgiven an Administrator Award ofDistinction.

This year, more than 400 chapters com-peted for the society’s most covetedawards. The Hallmark Awards Programis PTK’s capstone awards competitionannually recognizing excellence in programs that promote the Phi ThetaKappa Hallmarks of Scholarship,Leadership, Service and Fellowship.

RVC MathematicsDepartment honors twoThe Mathematics Department at RockValley College awarded honors to a pairof RVC students in 2010. Carson Meenawon the 19th R. David Gustafson Prizein Mathematics and Christina Gillearned the Kyle D. Mitchell MemorialAward in Mathematics.

Julie Hernandez named 2011 RVC Faculty of the YearDr. Julie Hernandez, Associate Professorof Psychology, was honored as the 2011recipient of the Rock Valley CollegeFaculty of the Year award. Hernandezhas taught at the college for ten years.Hernandez is the 23rd recipient of theaward, which went to Linden Griesbach,Associate Professor of Electronics andComputer Information Systems in 2010.

More than $130,000 in scholarships awarded by RVC FoundationThe Rock Valley College Foundationreceived hundreds of applications forscholarships in 2010. Funded throughcommitment and generosity of donors,the RVC Foundation was able to awardover $130,000 in scholarships for the2010-2011 academic year.

RVC hosts Green EnergySummitRVC hosted the first Green EnergySummit on October 22, 2010. The eventbrought together representatives fromRVC’s engineering faculty to discuss thecollege’s newly created Associate inApplied Science in Sustainable EnergySystems with representatives from non-profit groups like Freedom FieldRenewable Energy, the ElectronicsTechnicians Association International,the Illinois Renewable Energy Association,the Illinois Solar Energy Association, andEigerlab. The summit promoted access toskilled, professional experts, assistancein the development of products andservices and incubator opportunities.

RVC named MilitaryFriendly School Rock Valley College was honored withinclusion on a list of Military FriendlySchools put out by G.I. Jobs. The listhonors the top 15 percent of colleges,universities and trade schools, that aredoing the most to embrace America’sveterans as students. Criteria includeefforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students, results in recruiting military and veteran stu-dents, and academic accreditations.

Schools range from state universitiesand private colleges to community col-leges and trade schools. The commonbond is their shared priority of recruit-ing students with military experience.Rock Valley College is one of only 1,220schools nationwide to make the list.More than 7,000 were considered.

Foundation adds newmembersFive new members were named to the RVC Foundation Board in 2010.Unanimously accepted to the board in May 2010 were: Steve Casper,Commercial Operations Manager forWoodward; Dr. Steve Gunderson, CEO,Medical Director of RockfordAmbulatory Surgery/RockfordAnesthesiologists Associated; RobertKing, Vice President/Senior BusinessDevelopment Officer for AssociatedBank; Tim Rollins, partner in the lawfirm of WilliamsMcCarthy LLP; andMichelle Scandroli, Community Leader.The foundation board currently has 23 members.

44th RVC CommencementOn May 14, 2010, RVC’s 44thCommencement was held. More than1,100 students graduated and 380 ofthem marched before a capacity crowdof more than 4,000. Speakers for the2010 ceremony included Rock ValleyCollege’s 2010 Faculty of the YearAssociate Professor of Electronics andComputer Information Systems LindenGriesbach, and graduating studentspeaker, Gloria Wiekert.

RVC GED celebrates 25 yearsThe Adult Education Program at RockValley College held its 25th annualGraduation Recognition Ceremony onThursday, May 13, 2010. The graduatingclass was made up of 314 students who successfully completed theirGeneral Education Development (GED)high school equivalency within the previous 12 months.

Rock Valley College Provost and ChiefAcademic Officer, Dr. Diane Nyhammer,gave the graduation address.

Annually, the RVC GED and Basic Skillsprogram serves about 1,500 adults withreading entry levels ranging from 3rdgrade to college entry and above.

Foundation awards faculty and staff grantsThe RVC Foundation awarded $70,000to RVC faculty and staff to help meetcritical funding needs for equipmentand projects. The foundation’s grantcommittee received 27 grant applica-tions. Proceeds from the foundation’sannual Starry, Starry Night event fundsthese grants.

RVC alums elected toRegion IV Athletic Hall of FameFormer RVC tennis players Josh Gesnerand Natasha Rapo were part of theNJCAA Region IV Athletic Hall of Fame’s2010 induction class.

Gesner played men’s tennis for RVC’snational championship team in 2000 andon the national runner-up team in 2001.He was a two-time NJCAA All-American.

Rapo came to the United States at age12 from Croatia, where she and herfamily had spent time in a refugee camp.She was a member of RVC’s 2004national championship team and wasnamed All-American in both 2004 and2005. In 2005 she became the first NJCAADivision III player to win the NationalArthur Ashe Sportsmanship Award.

Looking back at another year of great success

Jim Sawicki, National ScienceFoundation Fellowship recipient

Photos by RVC SIFE member HannahWarren on the group’s trip to Indialast summer have become the basisfor the Jhoole Photography Project.To learn more, visit www.jhoole.com.

Kristy Bourquin and Natalie Olsen. Youmay have seen them together in one ofthose TV commercials that promote themany opportunities for success offeredby Rock Valley College—All Americans@Rock Valley College.

But what is the real story behind their success? Andwhat influence did Rock Valley College have on thesetwo volleyball All Americans as they went their separateways after the 2009 season?

It may seem unimaginablenow, but the day then RVChead volleyball coach BenStaupe discovered Olsen,he was actually there torecruit her high schoolteammate Alexys Cleaver.Staupe was so impressedwith Olsen’s jumping

ability that he toldher he didn’t care

how muchplaying expe-rience shehad. Hewanted herto visit RVC.

When Olsen came to campus she walked into his officeand met two of his then current players, the 6’1 AshleyYates and another girl who stood at 6’0. Kristy Bourquin.

“I think he was trying to intimidate me by making me think all of the girls at the college level were tall,”recalls Olsen. “It worked because I thought RVC would be a very competitive place to play.”

Bourquin helped in the recruiting process that day byjoining her on a tour of campus. Just months later, thetwo would be named NJCAA All Americans and wouldbe starring in a TV commercial together.

New opportunities arose for each player. Bourquin wasgraduating and had considered transferring to theUniversity of Wisconsin to finish her bachelor’s degree.She wasn’t thinking about a volleyball career there until Staupe talked her into trying to make the team as a walk-on.

Before she knew it, Bourquin was in Madison on a college visit and was invited by UW head volleyballcoach Pete Waite to compete at a summer camp with all of his top recruits. Waite had never seen her play until she showed up at camp. He liked what he saw and he asked Bourquin to come to preseason in August.

Bourquin made the team. She “redshirted” in 2010 and will make her Big Ten debut this fall.

Kristy Bourquin

RVC gives unique opportunity to a pair of All-Americans

Rock Valley College satellite site, theLearning and Opportunity Center (LOC),is located on the second floor of StewartSquare at 308 West State Street.

Photo left: Suzanne Dooley, Director, RVC Learning and Opportunity Center

Students in Rebecca Maas’ biology classget hands on with the building blocks oflife at the Learning and Opportunity Center.

“I knew coming in that I wasn’t as experienced aseveryone else. I only played three years in high schooland didn’t play any club volleyball,” says Bourquin.“I really focused on getting better without any pressureto compete right away.”

She feels Rock Valley College prepared her well bothathletically and academically for the jump to a DivisionI school like UW. Because the level of play at RVC wasquicker and more competitive than high school,Bourquin reasons it wasn’t as overwhelming for her tomake the jump to Division I as it might be for a fresh-man coming directly from high school. Academically,she credits RVC for helping her develop different studyhabits than she had in high school, while also teachingher the importance of time management.

While Bourquin was enjoying her experience in Madison,Olsen was suiting up for her sophomore season at RVCdespite inquiries from other schools who wanted her to transfer after her freshman season.

“I told Ben to tell any schools that called that I didn’twant to leave,” says Olsen.

Their loss was RVC’s gain. Olsen earned All Americanhonors for the second straight season and led theGolden Eagles to an undefeated conference season,a regional championship, and a third place finish at the NJCAA national tournament.

What’s next for this dynamic duo?

Bourquin is preparing for the fall volleyball season at UWwhere she will have two years of eligibility remaining.She is on track to earn a bachelor’s in biology and wantsto attend graduate school at UW for physical therapy.

Olsen may go out on top as far as volleyball is concerned. She has fought knee injuries during both her seasons at RVC and says “volleyball won’t last forever.” She wants to focus on a career in nursinginstead. But, if the right opportunity comes along tokeep playing and still follow her career goals,she says she’ll consider it.

If they had the opportunity, both say they would still be playing at RVC.

“We always joke that we wishRVC was a four-year school so we could have playedtogether longer,” saysBourquin.

A future physical therapistand a future nurse, theirpaths seem destined tocross again someday.

Natalie Olsen

After earning his GED with honors last year, RoyceStricker was ready to move on with his education.What he wasn’t prepared for was the transition ofheading off to a large campus setting. Instead, the 18-year-old Rockford resident signed up for threeclasses at Rock Valley College’s new downtownLearning and Opportunity Center (LOC), which providesassistance for students who have not earned a collegedegree and are interested in obtaining, or continuing,higher education.

“College is hard enough and the LOC helped me a lot,”he said. “It was close to home, the class size was smalland the parking was convenient. It was very pleasant; I liked everything about it.”

Rock Valley opened the satellite site last fall to address the needs of students who live west of down-town and find it difficult to get to the college’s east-side campus to continue their education. The LOC islocated on the second floor of Stewart Square at 308 West State Street.

RVC is working to attract and retain first-generation,nontraditional students to the new facility. “The LOC is a smaller facility that offers a comfortable, less-intimidating environment for students,” said SuzanneDooley, director of the LOC. “The LOC is ideal for students who are new to college, live closer to down-town than the main campus or Stenstrom Center,or work in the downtown area. It’s a good stepping stone before they get to the main campus.”

The 11,000-square foot facility features two classrooms and two computer rooms, along withadministrative offices, conference and meeting rooms,and a student lounge. The LOC is just two blocks fromthe Rockford Mass Transit bus terminal, which can save many students a transfer for a 45-minute ride to RVC’s main campus.

“The location of the LOCin downtownRockford is justwonderful,” saidJohn Cressman, execu-tive director of the RockfordHousing Authority. “It will present all kinds of opportunities for folks to reenergize their education.We look forward to continuing our partnership that hasalways been successful in the past with Rock ValleyCollege. We’ll do anything at the housing authority we can to support this effort.”

The LOC offers an ever-expanding, flexible class schedule including general education, college-creditcourses such as biology, history, English, math and student development. In addition, students can findone-on-one counseling, financial aid information,placement testing, tutoring and small group of students (cohorts) who study and move from class to class together. A typical class holds between 24 to 36 students.

All LOC professors are RVC instructors who come with plenty of experience. “With the population we’retargeting, we wanted someone who is comfortable in their role as an instructor, comfortable in their role as a mentor, and who is comfortable thinkingout of the box when working with various personalitytypes within the student body,” Dooley said.

Eldridge Gilbert, is one of those instructors.He’s taught history at RVC for 16 years and sought the opportunity to teach at the LOC. “I really have high hopes for this campus,” he said. “I sense a greater sense of commitment to learning by these students. There is an opportunity here they might not have otherwise.”

Rock Valley College moves into the neighborhoodLearning and Opportunity Center comes to downtown Rockford

R V C V I S I O NAs our community’s college, we make a difference throughteaching, learning and leading.

RVC FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

David H. ArnoldRVC Professor Emeritus

Brent BernardiAlpha Controls Inc.

Stephen T. Casper*Woodward, Inc.

James R. Cox**Community Leader

Michael W. DavisCommunity Leader

Brian DeBenedettoAlpine Bank

Dale A. DrakeDrs. Drake, Ltd.

Bill Gorski, M.D.SwedishAmerican Health System

Steven A. Gunderson*, DORockford Ambulatory Surgery Center/Rockford Anesthesiologists Associated

Jane Hawkins-HoffCommunity Leader

Brian HelmMechanical Inc.

Robert J. King*Associated Bank

Douglas LeeHarris Investment Group N.A.

LoRayne Loganworkplace

Roger E. LundstromCommunity leader

John W. MinkCommunity Leader

Patrick W. MorrowAlpine Bank

Thomas A. Muldowney**Savant Capital Management

Tad OlsonOlson Aluminum Castings

Timothy J. Rollins*WilliamsMcCarthy LLP

Michelle Scandroli*Community Leader

Robert W. StenstromStenstrom Companies, Ltd.

James S. WaddellCommunity Leader

Frank WehrsteinDickerson Nieman REALTORS

Wendy Young**Forest City Gear Company

* Term began 7/1/10** Term ended 6/30/10

As I begin my tenure with the Rock Valley College Foundation,I am moved by the extraordinary outpouring of support from the community through the years. We are proud of the number of generous donors that annually support our organization.Their dedication to community-based education and job training is critical to the very vitality of our region.

Donors and community partners make a difference in the lives of our students through scholarships, grants to faculty for teaching enrichment, aviation tool kits, internships, and capitalenhancements, just to name a few.

On behalf of the Foundation Board of Directors, college leadership,faculty, and students, I sincerely thank each and every one of you,our donors, for supporting the Rock Valley College Foundation.

Pamela K. Owens, CFREExecutive Director, RVC Foundation and College Advancement Karl: When I came to Rock Valley from Flint, Michigan, I didn’t

give much thought about how long I’d be here. I knew the aver-age stay for a college president was six years. I accepted thejob and immediately found out the college was virtually broke.Even the Rockford rotary didn’t accept me as a member. That’swhat they thought about Rock Valley. I went home discouraged.I had to figure out a strategy to win the community over.

Carol: Our children were two and three when we moved toRockford, so I was busy finding preschools for the kids. Manypeople were helpful, especially Vivian Hickey, who lent us herhouse for a month when she was out of town. That was a bighelp to us because we didn’t have a lot of money.

I was also involved in starting a faculty women’s club, we’dgathered for tea and other social events, and raised money forcampus activities, including a holiday fair and the clock on thebridge. In the 1970s I went to work full-time. I taught in theRockford Public School system for 26 years as an art teacher at Lincoln and East, as well as a reading specialist. I alsotaught part-time at Rock Valley College.

Karl: We did a lot of entertaining in our home. We would invitecommunity members, cast members from Starlight Theater,or fireside chats with members of the Student Commission.We didn’t have any help, so we did it all. I did all the shopping,Carol prepared all the food, our eight-year-old son, Erik, was a bartender, and our seven-year-old daughter, Lisa, served horsd’oeuvres. Other university presidents said we were out of ourminds, but it had to be done. We had to involve the communityand build some sense of cohesiveness within the institution.

Carol: We worked hard together. We really were a unique familyand always had a very strong relationship.

Karl: Carol’s involvement was vital. It was a real team effort.I had 100 percent support at home. The decision to move here wasours. If she didn’t want to come, it would never have worked.

Carol: People say when Karl was president it was like family.

Karl: We tried hard to involve people in the decision making.It wasn’t a one-man show. I had very wonderful and skilledadministrators, faculty and employees.

Carol: When Karl retired, we decided to stay in Rockford. It’sour community. We wouldn’t dream of leaving. We are both veryinvolved. He volunteered to lead Midway Village Museum whenthey were without a president, and he’s been involved withSwedishAmerican Health System for many years and serves ona manufacturing board. I’ve been involved with the RockfordPublic Library Foundation.

Karl: I got the biggest satisfaction from watching this collegegrow. People would ask me all the time, why did you want tomove to Rockford? This institution, to me, is an opportunity forpeople who would not otherwise have an opportunity for educa-tion. Taking one course might be the difference between havinga job or not having a job.

Carol: I was speechless when we found out about the KarlJacobs Center for Science and Math. It is absolutely awesome.

Karl: I was overwhelmed. I didn’t expect it. The way I looked atit the board paid me to do a job and I tried to earn my keepevery day. My philosophy is you have to have a sense of owner-ship and a sense of detachment at the same time. It was nevermy college or my faculty. I was on the payroll like everyoneelse. And I loved the unpredictability each day brought.

Recently, the Jacobs reminisced about the nearly three decades they spent at Rock Valley College.

Construction of the 110,000 square foot facility has served as an ongo-ing reminder of the growth and progress taking place at RVC.

Jack Becherer and Dr. Jacobs were among dozens of RVC staff who left their mark on the new building by signing

am installed in the new facility.

(Cumulative gifts of$1,000,000 or more)

Sjostrom & Sons Foundation

Robert W. Stenstrom

Woodward, Inc.


AMCORE Financial, Inc.

AMCORE Foundation, Inc.

Jean A. Bullen Trust

CLARCOR Foundation

Illinois Community College System Foundation

Harlan J. & Elsie IngwalsonCharitable Trust

Karl L. & Jeanette E. Nelson Trust

Dean A. Olson Foundation

Lydia Luhman Pederson Charitable Trust

Donald H. Wrork, MD Charitable Trust


Nancy E. Anderson Estate

Eloise K. Eshbaugh Trust

Mrs. Ross Edgar Hunt

Marjorie Brookman Marlowe Trust

John & Roberta Mink

OSF St. Anthony Medical Center

Rockford Health System

Sundstrand CorporationFoundation

Suntec Industries, Inc.

SwedishAmerican Health System

Winnebago County Dental Society

(Cumulative gifts between$10,000 and $49,999)

Anonymous DonorAlpine BankAmerican CenturyAnderson Industries, Inc.Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc.Arc Design Resources, Inc.Atwood FoundationBank One FoundationBank One-Rockford N.A.Mr.* & Mrs. Ralph BartelsDr. William & Leah BaskinDr. Jack J. & Janna K. BechererSuzanne & Don BergerBergstrom Manufacturing

CompanyBergstrom, Inc. Charitable

FoundationBlackhawk State BankMr. & Mrs. Charles M. Bradley* Dr. James Stanford BrownBonnie B. CartierMary CaskeyMr. & Mrs. Frank ChmelikIna Cholke & Olga Dean

Bullard TrustChrysler CorporationCitizen�s Scholarship Foundation

of AmericaCity Fire Fighters Local 413Thomas L. Clinton, Sr.Community Foundation

of Northern IllinoisJames & Carol CoxDain Rauscher, Inc.DankaMike & Pat DavisDynacorp, Inc.Elco Textron, Inc.Forest City GearThe Funderburg FoundationGannett FoundationMr. & Mrs. Joseph T. Geraghty, Jr.Thomas D. GibbonsGloyd Family FoundationGoodwill of Northern IllinoisBill & Sue GorskiThe Grainger FoundationGreenlee Textron, Inc.Haldex Hydraulics CorporationJane Hawkins-HoffThe Helm Group, Inc.Shirley S. HolzwarthHughes Business Telephones, Inc.Jennifer HustonIllinois Water Treatment, Inc.Ingersoll Milling Machine CompanyAllen W. JohnsonJohnson Controls FoundationJohnson Controls, Inc.

David D. Kalber TrustJanet KjellstromDr. and Mrs.* William J. KramerLeonard J. LaPassoJane S. Marlowe*Clint Maslen*Mattison Foundation, Inc.Mattison Machine WorksMr. and Mrs. Richard J. McIntoshMarian & George* MeadowsMechanical, Inc.Karen & John MessleyNIBCARichard D. NordlofNorth American Tool CorporationOlson Aluminum CastingsAnn L. OswaldJack W. & LaVonne A. Packard

Fund of the RockfordCommunity Foundation

Pepsi-Cola Rockford Bottling Co.Pillsbury-Green GiantPoplar Grove State BankJohn T. QuirkRBC Dain Rauscher, Inc.RJ Galla Company, Inc.Rock Valley College Student

CommissionRock Valley College Student

Government AssociationRockford Acromatic ProductsRockford Ambulatory

Surgery CenterRockford Anesthesiologists

Associated, LLCRockford Powertrain, Inc.Rockford Products Corp.Rockford Surgical Service, S.C.Dan & Michelle RojoSaavedra Gehlhausen ArchitectsSavant Capital Management, Inc.George & Frances Schwenkner

Chartitable Trust Sjostrom & Sons FoundationStenstrom FoundationRobert & Jan StenstromJames StormontStudents In Free EnterpriseSundstrand CorporationSundstrand Corporation -

Data ControlSwedishAmerican HospitalSwedishAmerican Medical

FoundationFrank & Jen WehrsteinW. A. Whitney CorporationWilliam Charles, Ltd.Williams McCarthy, LLPEdward & Kathryn Way FundYABA of Northern Illinois

Bowling Foundation

(Gifts of $100,000 or more)

Woodward, Inc.(Gifts of $25,000 to $99,999)

AMCORE Foundation, Inc.Mary CaskeyMarjorie Brookman Marlowe TrustRockford Health SystemRock Valley College Student

Government AssociationDonald H. Wrork MD

Charitable Trust

(Gifts of $10,000 to $24,999)

Atwood FoundationIna Cholke & Olga Dean

Bullard TrustFunderburg FoundationGoodwill Northern IllinoisGrainger FoundationHelm Group, Inc.Richard D. NordlofMechanical, Inc.Savant Capital Management Inc.

(Gifts of $5,000 to $9,999)

AnnonymousDavid H. Caskey Family TrustStenstrom FoundationCity of RockfordJohn T. QuirkDr. Jack J. & Janna K. BechererRJ Galla Company, Inc.SwedishAmerican HospitalBill & Sue GorskiLoRayne LoganRockford Ambulatory

Surgery CenterOSF St. Anthony Medical CenterJane Hawkins-HoffOlson Aluminum Castings

(Gifts of $2,500 to $4,999)

Alpha Controls & Services, LLCAlpine BankArc Design Resources, Inc.Belvidere IOU ClubBergstrom Charitable TrustDemonica DelMuro AssociatesForest City GearBrian & Kari HelmBrian Kobishka Donor Advised

Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois

Richard & Grace Leighton Donor Advised Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois

Mr. & Mrs. W. David MarkJohn & Roberta MinkNIBCARobbins, Schwartz, Nicholas, Lifton

& Taylor, Ltd.Rockford Bank & TrustRockford Orthopedic Associates, Ltd.

Saavedra Gehlhausen ArchitectsDaniel & Diana SaavedraStudents In Free EnterpriseSikich LLPSteiner/Kerman Employee

Assistance FoundationWilliamsMcCarthy, LLPJack & Peggy Wolf

(Gifts of $1,000 to $2,499)

Alpine KiwanisAssociated Bank IllinoisAviva Life & Annuity CompanyDr. & Mrs. William BaskinBelvidere Area Chamber

of CommerceSuzanne & Don BergerJames M. BonaviaBradford Systems CorporationTom BuddCoyle-Varland InsuranceDean A. Olson FoundationDrs. Dale & Elaine DrakeKen & Antoinette DufourRobert S. GieseckeLinda GoldsteinDr. Steven & Tina GundersonHanson Professional Services, Inc.Ronald V. HarrisIllinois Community College

System FoundationJohn T. Wolf Charitable Trust IIAllen W. JohnsonKJWW, P.C.Charles B. & Barbara A. KullbergLeonard J. LaPassoMr. & Mrs. Bill LawsonKaren & John MessleyHoward MetzDr. & Mrs. W. Stephen MinoreDiane & Grant NyhammerBarclay & Debra OlsonSam & Debra OvertonPMA Financial Network, Inc.RK DixonRockford East/Cherry Valley

Rotary ClubRandy & Debi SchaeferGeorge & Frances Schwenkner

Charity TrustSheet Metal Workers Local Union

No. 219Sjostrom & Sons FoundationSpecialty FloorsSreenan & Cain, P.C.Marcia D. StenstromJames & Nancy SylvesterUPS Foundation, Inc.

Rock Valley College Foundation ContributorsIn appreciation of gifts received from July 1, 2009 through January 31, 2011

Karl Jacobs served as president of Rock Valley College from1969 to 1997. During his 28-year tenure, Jacobs worked to create many academic programs and building projects to serve the college as well as the region.

To recognize the accomplishments of its former leader, Rock Valley College

has named its new science and math building the Karl J. Jacobs Center for

Science and Math. The addition of the 106,000-square-foot building will

allow the college to increase course offerings in science and math.

The center is scheduled to open on August 15, 2011, which happens

to be the day Jacobs celebrates his 81st birthday and his 52nd

wedding anniversary with his wife, Carol.

A unique perspective on establishing RVC’s community ties

The state-of-the-art Karl J. Jacobs Center for Science and Math opensfor classes this fall.

Dr. Karl Jacobs was one of the longest serving college presidents in Illinois history.The impact that Karl and his wife of morethan 50 years, Carol, have had on RockValley College is still felt today.

President Dr. faculty andthe final be

* In Memoriam

James & Shirley WaddellWal-Mart Stores, Inc.Frank & Jen WehrsteinWilliam Charles, Ltd.Wendy & Frederic Young

(Gifts of $499 - $9,999)

Allied Benefit Systems, Inc.Dave & Madeleine ArnoldThomas & Jill BeckerBMO Capital MarketsDr. Craig E. BooherStephen & Lisa CarterChapman & Cutler, LLPMichael & Patricia DavisKevin DayDickerson Nieman REALTORSEmployers' Coalition on HealthStephen K. ErnstHamilton SundstrandDonald S. HoltKarl & Carol JacobsJoseph Behr & Sons, Inc.Kimco CorporationDavid & Beverly KlintworthThomas & Fayne KniepKostantacos Law Firm, P.C.Lexus of RockfordLoRayne Logan Charitable

Fund of AEFLois H. & Thomas B. LundgrenMr. & Mrs. Don ManzulloGary & Gayle MarzoratiKathleen & Stephen McCartyRuth MeadowsJames & Helen MillikinJacki L. MinnihanAgnes MonksPatrick & Lisa MorrowRichard & Monica NewcombScott & Susan NicholasOn the Waterfront Inc.Perspectives, Ltd.Mr. & Mrs. James R. PiragesMr. & Mrs. Martin M. PocsMr. & Mrs. Robert E. PorodRock Valley College Marketing Rockford Lions Club Charity

Foundation, Inc.The Rockwell GroupBill & Terri RoopDavid & Ann SchertzSjostrom & Sons, Inc.Target Commerical InteriorsThe Carma CorporationJames & Marilyn TurnerJohn D. & Susan C. WhitcherSue & William Zillmer

(Gifts of $250 - $499)

Jeff & Chris BeckBenchmark Flooring Inc.Brent & Susie BernardiEstelle M. Black Library Resource

Fund of the Community Foundationof Northern Illinois

Dr. Connie Vitali & Mark BradelLynn Fisher CarlsonCasler FoundationMichael and Nancy Chamberlain

Chris CoolingDaniel & Sharon Cooper Donor

Advised Fidelity Charitable Gift FundCorporate Benefit Consultants, Inc.James & Carol CoxDavid & Amy DiazTodd & Kaye EckstaineMr. & Mrs. C. Lowell EdwardsFriends of the RVC LibraryAntonio J. HerreraITG SolutionsDr. Kurt & Susan JensenBrian KobischkaDiane & Ed KuehlMarilyn LindemanLindstrom TravelMr. & Mrs. Charles R. LindstromMr. & Mrs. Peter LonswayRoger & Nancy LundstromMr. & Mrs. Charles C. LyfordNelson Carlson

Mechanical ContractorsDale V. & Pala R. OijKatie & Ken PetersonRockford Chamber of CommerceRockford Charter Coach, LLCRockford Egg Harbor, LLCRon Carlson ElectricSam's ClubDennis & Susan SchreierDavid & Janna ShwaikoJack & Barbara SimonGerald J. & Barbara L. SmithJo Ann M. SmithSOLD ON TONI INC.Robert & Jan StenstromLawrence & Tricia SweeneySteve ThompsonRobert & Norma TrojanMr. & Mrs. Greg WearMary C. & Richard G. WolfRay & Nola WoodAmos & Carma YoderKaren & Marc Zussman

(Gifts of $100 - $249)

Marsha & Larry AckermanJessica AdkinsAnderson Charitable FoundationMr. & Mrs. Brad E. AndersonDavid L. AnderzonAPCO Sign SystemsDavid & Diana BarthelmanMr. & Mrs. James BehrensmeyerMr. & Mrs. Robert BennettStephen Coyle BHFX

Digital ImagingJeanne L. BiddleCharles & Penny Billman, Jr.William & Katie BoughtonMr. & Mrs. William BranomMr. & Mrs. William J. BremnerAmy BrewerCharles & Becky BrownDavid & Karen BrownMitchell & Andrea BuschCardinal Glass CompanyJane & Dave CarlsonJeff & Linda Carlson

Guy & Paula CarynskiWilliam J. & Margaret A. CasonJoe & Sue CastrogiovanniCiao Bella RistoranteJames & Connie CoffeyWilliam & Mary ConklingJames & Cynthia ConleyDr. & Mrs. Dennis CorcoranDave & Becky CostelloMark & Lesly CouperDominick & Terry DemonicaDavid & Sara DeutschCharles & Regina DibenedetoXuan DinhAndrew & Beri DolanMichael R. DomJoe & Donna DroughtDoug DuncanMary Ann EiblerPeter & Harula EliopoulosEugene & Carol ElliottJoe & Ellie EtminanJanyce EvistonJanyce B. FaddenRuthe Ann FalkDr. & Mrs. Joseph FanaraLaVona FarneyKyle W. FellFidelity Charitable Gift FundStephen & Barbara FleemanKen FlowersMr. & Mrs. Gregory L. FranchiniSteven FransenTom & Darlene FurstGuy & Debra GehlhausenLinda E. GerberNed & Kimberley GilletteRoy S. & Alicia J. GoralJohn & Kaylene GrohDr. & Mrs. Tao GuoMr. & Mrs. Eugene M. GustafsonGuyer & Enichen, P.C., LawyersTroy & Katie HaggestadDr. & Mrs. Norm HagmanDavid G. HagneyTrish HardeyJohn & Theresa HarezlakGreg R. & Sherry L. HarlanJane & Larry HeimerTherese & Robert HlavinJohn & Celeste HolevasAnthony J. HolubShirley S. Holzwarth Donor Advised

Fidelity Charitable Gift FundShirley S. HolzwarthJoe & Sally HugginsEhren & Christie JarrettJeremy JenningsBonnie M. JohnsonGeorge J. & Alice P. J. JohnsonWilliam H. & Bonnnie M. JohnsonBeverly L. JonesJason & Brandi JonesDave H. KeaggyJames & Pamela Keeling/Green

Pass-through Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois

Rod & Michele Kimes

Curt KleckerDave & Judy KochMr. & Mrs. Peter C. KostantacosBill & Jaci KousoulasPauline L‘HeureuxMr. & Mrs. Robert G. LayDougas LeeSusan LewandowskiJeff & Carol LinkenheldPaul & Jody LogliJane & Benjamin LyonsVincent & Sheila MadamaBrenden & Pam MaherKent & Marti MallquistManagement Resource Group, Ltd.Jeff & Victoria ManeyCharles MartinAmy C. MassothRobert W. McCarthyEllen & John McHughDr. Evan McHughAllan & Beverly MerfeldMarcia L. MuellerJudith C. NewellDaniel & Maureen NormanJ. Daniel & Jodi L. O�BoylePamela & Terry OwensAnne ParkerMr. & Mrs. Rex A. ParkerDan & Holly ParodDerek & Angela PerkinsJoesph J. PerkoskiRegina M. PottsRoss & Lynne PrattCharles J. ProrokVincent & Claryce QuinlanTomas & Mary QuinnJoel & Annette RadakovitzMisha & Daca RadichMr. & Mrs. George T. Ralph IIIRichard E. & SeDell RehfeldtReister Engineering Inc.Darlene K. & Timothy J. RiddleJudge & Mrs. Stanley

J. RoszkowskiApril & Edward RottmanElizabeth & Tim RussoSam W. & Mazie J. RuzicSAMCOJohn & Shirley SchouDon & Linda SchreinerDr. Edric & Ellissa SchwartzSenator Dave Syverson

Campaign CommitteeSmith Oil CorporationJane Liljedahl SmithDave & Pam SocknessGregory G. SotirosThe Specialists, Inc.Gregory J. SpitzerJohn & Sue SpitzerLana & David StenersonCynthia StonesiferTimothy & Karin StormMr. & Mrs. Mark P. SudderbergTerracon Consultants, Inc.Charles & Robin ThompsonDavid & Candace ThompsonJohn & Dara Tysver

Jim WangMr. & Mrs. Kevin WheelerWIFR-TVMr. & Mrs. Donald P. WilliamsWilliams-Manny Charitable TrustM. Darlene WilsonPeter E. WojtowiczGreg & Brenda YorkMichael & Teresa YoungbloodLarry & Patricia ZacharyDonald & Mary ZierkeSandra A. Zumwalt

(Gifts of $0 - $99)

2 Anonymous DonorsDonald J. BanksVeronica M. BazanMr. & Mrs. Frederick H. BeckLorene BenzelLeota Benzel-SchillingDonna BergnerDick & Nancy BlackburnMargaret R. BlaisdellLarry G. BoekeRuth BowerMr. & Mrs. Thomas E. BrownMatt & Kristina CascioBarbara L. ClarkJim & Libby ClarkJohn R. & Mary A. ConleyJohn ConleyCharles E. & Anna Marie CorleyMr.& Mrs. Mark R. CulhaneGregory & Deborah CussenMargaret D. DahlgrenMr. & Mrs. Louis J. DeBenedettoDelta Kappa Gamma Beta

Gamma ChapterPaul W. DickoverVicki DiehlMr. & Mrs. John DixonLisa L. DollMr. & Mrs. William DoranMr. &Mrs. Donald D. DrayMary K. DuaneTracy EckburgSandra E. EllisonElsie R. EstabrookJanyce EvistonThomas & Lisa FinchRyan & Tracey FitzgeraldJennifer & Charlie FrittsLois A. FulkersonFrank R. GarrisonGeorgalee GeorgeRev. James L. & Helen M. GibbonsJessica GonzalesGoodSearchPaula GruederMr. & Mrs. Alfred H. HagmenCarol M. & Wendell R. HaldersonSheryl B. HallCarol HansonMr. & Mrs. Terry HedmanShaine HenertDaniel & Cathy HerdemanDeena HergertMr. & Mrs. Rodger Hergert

“It has been overwhelming,” says Slintak.“This whole process has shown me just how manystudents are making a difference at their schools.I keep asking ‘Why me?’”

One reason why is because she has become aleader. Her early involvement with RVC’s OmicronEta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the official honorsociety of two-year colleges, has served as thespring-board for the numerous activities she nowfinds herself engaged in at RVC. In her two yearsserving on Phi Theta Kappa in the roles of VicePresident of Service (’09-’10) and Vice President ofLeadership (’10-’11), she has led several importantprojects, including developing a partnership withRockford Sharefest. Through this partnership, shehas coordinated volunteer efforts to help repairfour local schools over the last two years.

Her leadership skills emerged again in the fall of 2009 when she helped establish a new Senatorposition for the Student Government Association inthe form of the Special Needs Senator. This newposition, which Slintak was elected to, is designedto create a bridge of communication between students with disabilities, RVC’s Coordinator ofDisability Support Services, and SGA.

In her time at RVC, Slintak has also served asStudent Treasurer for the Future Educator’s Society,

and as a tutor for RVC’s Tutoring Center, all whilemaintaining a 4.0 GPA as part of the College’sHonors Program.

And then there’s her full-time job- raising her threedaughters, Julia (14), Lauren (12), and Andrea (9).All three love attending events at Rock ValleyCollege and being involved in their mom’s latestcollege adventure.

“Without my daughters’ support, I would never be able to do this and I love them for that,”says Slintak.

She also loves her RVC family and appreciatesthat they made her feel welcome from the verybeginning when she admits she was scared abouthow she would fit in with the younger students oncampus. She now can’t go anywhere on campuswithout seeing a familiar face.

Soon she will have to say goodbye to her RVC family when she graduates in May, but she has left behind a legacy that will hopefully encouragethat next non-traditional student who may be fearful of returning to college.

“It will be difficult to leave my leadership rolesbehind, however, encouraging others to see theseopportunities as their own next steps will bring a sense of closure to this chapter of my life.”

“I hadn’t stepped into a classroom as a student in over 19 years. I wasn’t sure that I could make it work.”

Dr. Glenda Ruth HildrethPatricia HoldenRonald HolmBrent L. HorsleyDean HullScott C. & Monica K. JamesDiana F. & Thomas L. JohnsonJanice L. JohnsonJanet C. & Wayne R. JonesMichael Landon & Vicki Rudh JonesSamuel N. & Pansy C. KantayyaKatherine & David KelleyKaren Kjellquist-GutierrezMr. & Mrs. Raymond La MantiaVirginia M. Labant Trust Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. LadenburgerMichael & Becky LambrechtAngela K. LarsonKeith & Michelle LarsonAlec & Vicki LayRichard & Mary LeatherbyHsiao-Hung Lee & Hsin Ying ChiClaire LindemApril M. LipnitzkyJohn F. LocascioStephanie L. LombardiMr. & Mrs. Thomas LombardoMr. & Mrs. Ronald L. LundJanet D. MaceMark ManevalKarol Howes & Michael

John ManleyFaye MarcusJohn B. & Susan M. MartocciJohn & Jennie MastersonMichael & Crystal MastroianniHarriet McCalmonMr. & Mrs. M. Michael MerrimanMr.& Mrs. Ken MillerKay MondulRosemary MorrisonMr. & Mrs. Steven NielsenJohanna D. NorrisRay & Cheryl OlsonAmy OttJohn PotempaMr. & Mrs. Klaus W. Price, Jr.Mr. & Mrs. Raymond RhoadsMr. & Mrs. Phillip RoehrigGary J. & Michelle L. RothmeyerLillie L. RudeEdward J. & Jeanne J. RudnickiMark & Libby SamuelsonGenevieve K. SandonaMr. & Mrs. Carl A. SattelbergCitizens for Randy SchaeferMr. & Mrs. Eugene SkerkoskeJo Ann M. SmithElizabeth M. Lovelady Smith

Carol M. SniderJacquelyn K. SpelmanNancy StanisKarl & Jacqueline SundbyRyan & Karissa SwansonJoan & Stan TunnellHoward & Mildred Van ValzahValisa WalkerMary WebbNancy Marie WhiteRebecca WhitlowMarion F. WilkeNorman & Charlene WillsShirley WordenDale A. & Florence K. ZealJacqueline Zickuhr

IN KIND11th Street Express Printing, Inc.320 Store IncAbFab Salon & Spa, Inc.Lara Bacino AlthausDavid & Madeleine ArnoldArtalé Wine CompanyBarry BeamanBeldenSuzanne & Don BergerBest Buy, Inc.Betty's Square Dance &

Western WearBruce BirdMr. & Mrs. Shepard BlumenthalJuliana BrandysBrio Restaurant, Wine Bar & PatioBudget Blinds of RockfordBuffalo Wild WingsBurch JewelersFrank CalvagnaCastronovo's Bridal ShopCatalent Pharma SolutionsCDW Government Inc.Celebrations DJ ServiceJerry ChamberlainCharley's Hot Philly SteaksChicago Photo SafarisChiropractic OrthopedicsCiao Bella RistoranteClock Tower Resort & CoCo

Key Water ResortDiane CushingDanica RacingJoel DryerJason EdlenEdwards Apple Orchard, Inc.Mr. & Mrs. Richard J. ElliottJoanne EysterFamous Dave'sFamous Fossil WineryFredrick J. & Mary H. Gahl

Richard & Deborah GenoveseGiovanni'sPaul & Joan GoreDr. Steven & Tina GundersonRobert & Jean HerroKimball J. & Wendy L. HigginsBuck HilbertHoffman HouseJamie HoganDonna HughesDr. & Mrs. Duane IngramInterfaceFLOR LLCInteriorsPaul IversonDr. Karl & Carol JacobsGarnett JohnsonChuck JonesKarl Schoening & Sons, Inc.KiKi B'sMr. & Mrs. Ken KlotzVicki KuhnLAMAR Outdoor AdvertisingTom & Mary Kay LaughlinLazy Dog YogaLes NomadesLiberty AlloysMr. & Mrs. Wesley E. LindbergLowesJane LyonsMcEachran Homestead,

A Sesquicentennial FarmMeg's Daily GrindMeyer Davis FarmsMid City Office ProductsJacki L. MinnihanModern Space StudioMonkey Joe'sMayor Larry MorrisseyBill & Shelly MosesThomas NicholsLinda Olson-CorrentiSam & Debra OvertonPat's Hair SalonPGA ChampionshipCarolyn RedeniusRK DixonRockford Art MuseumRockford Dance CompanyRockford Park DistrictCarole RoseRVC Community EducationDaniel & Diana SaavedraSanders Design GroupKaren SargentMr. & Mrs. William ScarpaciEugene SeeleSerenity SalonSherwin-Williams Co.Tex & Bette Shockley

Mr. Richard SilvestriniSonco's Bella RoseTheresa & John Stallings & FamilyMary StantonTheater StarlightKen & Coni SteinStudio BLUDr. & Mrs. Armer SwansonTabala Ritualistic DivanTyler's Landscaping ServicesRosemary UmenhoferUnison Industries, Inc.Van Galder Tour & TravelSteven & Joy VeeWilliam Charles, Ltd.Todd WillsPaul H. WoldYMCA of Rock River ValleyCarol Ann YoungMichael & Teresa YoungbloodMarie ZamisZaZu Gift Co.Zela Euro Salon

MATCHING COMPANIESGeneral MillsPfizer Foundation Matching

Gifts ProgramSwedishAmerican Hospital

TRIBUTE GIFT ROSTERIN HONOR OF:

DR. JACK J. BECHERERJo Carol & Lawrence J. Roy

ANDERS DAHLGRENFriends of the RVC Library

RICK JOHNSONHamilton Sundstrand


DALE V. OIJRock Valley College Student

Government Association

MEMORIAL:SETH ATWOOD

Mr. & Mrs. Rex A. ParkerDAVID H. CASKEY

David H. Caskey Family TrustMary CaskeyMr. & Mrs. Norris K. Levis, Jr.

HARRIETT CHARLESAnnonymous

DOROTHY ANN GEIGERGoodwill Northern Illinois

MARILYN & BOYD JOHNSONAllen W. Johnson

JOHN LUNDINGoodwill Northern Illinois

AARON D. MANNINGPeggy Spangler & Daniel Diebold


RICHARD MARTINE. Susan HolmesMr. & Mrs. John HolmesWilliam R. & Helen L. HolmesLarry & Judith LarsonEdward J. & Jeanne J. RudnickiPhyllis SchmittWilliam & Kathleen Stanicek

KAREN MEADOWSStella M. DobbinsRuth Meadows

RONALD R. RAHORNMr. & Mrs. Perry AccountiMr. & Mrs. James W. AndersonLoreen BurtonBenedict & Frances ConwayHalana & John DeboMr. & Mrs. Scott W. FlemingMs. Karen HellerMr. & Mrs. Brian HesgardRoss M. HillJoanne M. JosephsonMr. & Mrs. Randall JurasekMr. & Mrs. John A. KrebsMr. & Mrs. Paul E. LarsenMr. & Mrs. Robert G. LayDan R. ManningMr. & Mrs. Raymond MarsiliEleanor Joanne MuckConstance OwensDr. and Mrs. Gerald PetersonMary RahornMr. & Mrs. Ronald D. RodakowskiDr. & Mrs. Joseph SchoeningMr. & Mrs. Stephen R. SchoeningMr. & Mrs. Thomas W. SherrardLinda SmithMr. & Mrs. Dennis T. UeharaMr. & Mrs. Michael R. WeberMr. & Mrs. Randall J. Zyvoloski

ART & BETTY SADTLERMr. & Mrs. Gerald W. GrupeErich & Jan HagenlocherKatherine LotzerVel M. WeckerlyScott & Katherine Vogg

GEORGE E. SEIDLERLinda Goldstein

“Without my daughters’ support, I would never be able to do this and I love them for that.”

Stacey Slintak and daughters (left to right) Julia (14), Andrea (9),and Lauren (12).

On April 12, 2011 at a ceremony in New Orleans, Rock Valley College student Stacey Slintak was named tothe All-USA Community College AcademicTeam. Out of more than 1,600 nomineesfrom across the nation, Stacey is one of only 20 to be so honored. This presti-gious award includes a $2,500 scholar-ship and a special mention. Because shewas the top scorer in the program fromIllinois, she was also named a Coca-ColaNew Century Scholar, and that honorincludes a $2,000 stipend.

In November, Slintak became the first Rock ValleyCollege student ever to be named the LincolnAcademy Student Laureate for community collegesin Illinois. The Student Laureate Award is presentedto one student each year for excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.

Incredible honors for a student who returned to school in 2008, unsure of her decision.

“Since I had not stepped into a classroom as a student in over 19 years, I was not sure that I could make it work,” she said.

Safe to say she has more than made it work.

RVC student named one of top 20 community college students in the nationNational honor just one of the prestigious awards won by Stacey Slintak this year

ROCK VALLEY COLLEGE FOUNDATION FINANCIAL REPORTFor the Year Ended June 30, 2010

E X P E N S E S

Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167,028

Fundraising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177,579

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344,607

R E V E N U E

Donations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 577,341

Special Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149,280

Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 803,060

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,529,681

E N D I N G N E T A S S E T S • J U N E 3 0 , 2 0 1 0

Unrestricted Net Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,479,810

Restricted Net Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,167,578

TOTAL NET ASSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,647,388

BEGINNING NET ASSETS, JULY 1, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . .$5,955,596

G I V I N G D I S T R I B U T I O N

Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41,000

Scholarships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116,000

Capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250,000

Jack J. Becherer, Ed.D.,President

Message from the PresidentDear Friends:I have been privileged to have a rich career in community colleges as a teacher,a counselor, an administrator and now as President of Rock Valley College.

This is my 35th year of service as a community college employee. Having worked forfive community colleges during my career, I assure you there is none better than RockValley College. It is indeed a privilege to be a part of the college and our community.

Throughout these 35 years, I have met many gifted faculty, dedicated employees and amazing students who collectively create wonderful stories about the power of a community college.

The Rock Valley College Annual Report shares some of the stories that articulatethe power of our college. They describe the ways that education creates

life changing opportunities for our constituents, and they highlight the accomplishments of Dr. Karl Jacobs, the president of RVC

for 28 years, a nearly unprecedented tenure.

I am touched by the spirit of these stories. This year the Annual Report is aptly entitled “Unique Perspectives.”

The heroes of our stories are our students who offerdifferent perspectives of what we provide. Adult learnerslike Stacey Slintak come to us later in life while workingand raising a family. While students at our Learning andOpportunity Center benefit from a location closer todowntown and the western part of our district, other students come to us right out of high school with adesire for a more traditional environment to navigatetheir course toward a four-year institution.

Dr. Karl Jacobs indeed has a unique perspective of RockValley College. His tenure with the institution was long

and his legacy lives on as his commitment to the collegeendures. Read about the tribute being built for Dr. Jacobs

by both the college and our community.

Rock Valley College has a very important perspective within ourcommunity, as well. The Rock River Region has long embraced the

college not only for the opportunities we provide to degree-seeking students,but also to those individuals who are in need of career training, assistance in startinga business, or continuing their quest for lifelong learning. We are grateful that many community leaders and organizations seek us out for support in training anddevelopment endeavors and in partnerships for meeting critical community needs.It is through such partnerships that we can all benefit from combining resources to meet common regional goals.

We are privileged to have such fine stories to share with our friends. With each suc-cess there are many individuals who have provided support – both within and outsidethe college. We appreciate those family members, friends, co-workers, and mentorswho have at some time suggested that Rock Valley College may be a resource to helpa student on a new path. Because of this perspective we are able to guide our studentstoward their accomplishments. As a result of these collaborations we can continue toplay a critical role in the success of our students and our community. As always,we are grateful for your support and the opportunity to serve you.

ROCK VALLEY COLLEGE FINANCIAL REPORTRock Valley College Operating Funds for the Year Ended June 30, 2009

O P E R A T I N G E X P E N S E S

Salaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (44%) . . . . . . . . . . 29,914,646

Employee Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (17.7%) . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,987,476

Contractual Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5.3%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,622,618

General Materials/Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (6.7%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,541,976

Travel/Conf. Mtg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1.1%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 713,650

Fixed Charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1.6%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,085,178

Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2.2%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,462,253

Amortization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0.4%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289,085

Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (11.4%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,742,767

Other Expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (9.6%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,489,325

T O TA L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67,848,974

R E V E N U E

Student Tuition & Fees (net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (11.1%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,015,084

Sales & Service Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2.1%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,513,473

State Grants & Contracts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (9.6%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,911,489

Federal Grant & Contracts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (20.9%) . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,956,008

State Appropriations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (6.8%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,855,542

Local Property Taxes .................................................. (44.5%).................... 31,896,009

Personal Property Replacement Tax . . . . . . (1.8%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,298,607

Investment Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0.3%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196,724

Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2.9%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,079,362

TOTAL REVENUES & CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS . . . . . . . .71,722,298

RVC BOARD OF TRUSTEESAs of March 31, 2011

Katherine M. Kelley, ChairRandall J. Schaefer, Vice ChairMike Olson, SecretaryTed BiondoRev. K. Edward CopelandKen NelsonDr. Stephanie RaachMarrisa Mora, Student Trustee

U N I Q U E P E R S P E C T I V E SThe FY 2010 RVC Annual Report to the Community carries the theme “Unique Perspectives” and true to the concept, the inspiration came from a unique source: a 12-year-old Rock Valley College student.

Photo by Evan Fedorev

In his first digital photography class through RVC’s Community and Continuing ProfessionalEducation’s Whiz Kids program (for students in kindergarten through eight grade,) 12-year-oldEvan Fedorev was encouraged to look for new views of what he was photographing. Evantook that lesson to heart and went “off the beaten path” to discover his own point of view of the RVC campus.

Following Evan’s lead, RVC has taken the same approach with the stories in this year’s annualreport. The subjects may have a hint of familiarity, but the stories are told from the uniqueperspective of individuals who have been impacted by RVC, each in their own unique way.

Design: Conflux Design Photography: Tom Guschl, Lee Ann Gustafson, Evan Fedorev, Chris Mann, Dan Van Den Broeke Copywriting: Paul Anthony Arco, Dave Costello, Andy Dolan

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Rock Valley College Report to the Community 2010

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