Rockford University Update
On July 1, 2016, Dr. Eric Fulcomer began his service as the 18th President of Rockford University. Prior to being named president, Dr. Fulcomer was the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Rockford University since 2013 and has more than two decades of leadership experience in higher education. Before coming to Rockford, he served for 19 years at Bluffton University (Ohio) in several leadership roles, leaving Bluffton as its Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Life.
Dr. Fulcomer received his doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Toledo, his master’s degree in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University, and his bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature, cum laude, from Eastern Michigan University.
Under Dr. Fulcomer’s leadership, Rockford University successfully completed its Rock Solid and Ready capital campaign with $18.4 million raised against the original goal of $17.3 million As a result of the campaign, the University has been able to make substantial improvements in academic areas, the overall student experience and learning spaces. Campaign highlights include $1 million in modernizations to the Starr Science building, the naming of the Puri School of Business, which includes the installation of the Bloomberg Business Lab trading floor, and a $3.5 million expansion and renovation of the Seaver Physical Education center.
In addition to his work in higher education, Eric is active in several areas of the community. He serves on several boards, including Rockford Christian Schools, the Golden Apple Foundation, SwedishAmerican Health Systems, Alignment Rockford Governing Board, Rockford International Education Center, Rockford Leaders, Rockford Chamber of Commerce, and Kobe College Corporation-Japan Education Exchange. He serves as a member of the Executive Committee for Rockford Christian Schools, Associated Colleges of Illinois and the Federation of Illinois Independent Colleges and Universities. He participated in the Leadership Rockford Program and served as co-chair of the Funding and Alignment Spoke of Transform Rockford. Eric is also a member of the Rockford Rotary Club.
Along with Dr. Fulcomer’s extensive background in higher education, he also served for 11 years as an elected official in Bluffton, Ohio, holding the positions of Village Councilmember, Village Council President, and Mayor. His community involvement in Ohio also included past president of the Bluffton-Pandora Rotary Club and past vice president of the Bluffton Lions Club Foundation,
Dr. Fulcomer and his wife Andrea, a physician assistant, live in Rockford and are proud parents of two children: Noah who is in college and Anna who is in high school.
Mary Ann Norwood will introduce our presenter and act as Rotary host.