Rockford mayor to keynote RU's 171st Charter Day Convocation

Performing Arts' Richard III, talk from jazz pianist round out February Forum Series events

ROCKFORD, Ill. (02/13/2018) — Rockford University's Spring 2018 Forum Series continues with a special keynote address from the city's new mayor, Tom McNamara, to commemorate the 171st anniversary of the signing of the school's charter on Monday, Feb. 26.

Aside from the Charter Day Convocation on Monday, Feb. 26, the series includes two additional Forums in February, a Rockford University Performing Arts production of Shakespeare's Richard III running Feb. 22-25 and a visit from a New York City-based jazz pianist on Tuesday, Feb. 27.

Play: Richard III
Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 22-24, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 25, 2 p.m.
Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center

King Edward is on the throne, England is at peace, and all is well. But don't worry - it won't be that way for long because Richard is "discontented." Gripping and outrageous, Shakespeare's Richard III is the tale of a ruthless, power-crazed Machiavellian who lies and cheats his way to the highest seat in the land through charm, deception, and force of presence.

Charter Day Convocation
Monday, Feb. 26, 4 p.m.
Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center

This year's Charter Day welcomes Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara as special speaker and commemorates the 171st anniversary of the signing of the charter for Rockford University. The annual event typically includes an academic procession of faculty in traditional robes depicting their rank, with stoles representing their respective alma maters and degrees.

Fascinating Algorithms: Pianist Dan Tepfer
Tuesday, Feb. 27, 3 p.m.
Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center

New York City-based jazz pianist Dan Tepfer will discuss the intersection of science and art in music, in particular the balance of intuition and emotion with the mathematical and algorithmic. At a more personal level, he will talk about how, as a performer and composer, he has opened up new avenues of creativity in his work by integrating mathematical structures, from simple processes to fractals, into his music.

With the exception of Richard III and other Performing Arts events, the Forum Series is free of charge. Events take place on the Rockford University campus, 5050 East State Street, Rockford. Tickets are required and can be obtained by contacting the Box Office at 815-226-4100 or boxoffice@rockford.edu.

This semester's Forum Series continues through late April. View the full lineup at www.Rockford.edu/forum.

Media Attachments

Rockford mayor Tom McNamara will keynote Rockford University's Charter Day Convocation on Monday, Feb. 26. PROVIDED PHOTO

New York City-based jazz pianist Dan Tepfer will present "Fascinating Algorithms" on Tuesday, Feb. 27 in a free Rockford University Forum Series lecture. PROVIDED PHOTO