Rockford University's 175th Anniversary
Eric W. Fulcomer, Ph.D., is Rockford University’s 18th president and began his duties on July 1, 2016. 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.
Eric 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 the Golden Apple Foundation, SwedishAmerican Health Systems, Alignment Rockford Governing Board, Rockford Leaders, and the Rockford Chamber of Commerce. He serves on the Executive Committee for the Associated Colleges of Illinois and the Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference and is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Presidents Council. He previously served as Chair of the Board for Rockford Christian Schools and as a member of the Executive Committee of the Kobe College Corporation – Japan Education Exchange, participated in the Leadership Rockford Program, and co-chaired 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.
Eric and his wife Andrea, a physician assistant, live in Rockford and are proud parents of two college students, Noah and Anna.
Eric will discuss the history of Rockford University and talk about the events that will be taking place in conjunction with the 175th Anniversary of the University. This will be an interesting and informative program about one of Rockford's oldest institutions. This will also be an excellent opportunity to bring a guest or prospective member to join us in person at Memorial Hall or via Zoom. Jennifer Stark will introduce our presenter and act as Rotary host.