RVC competes in NJCAA Division III in football, men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball, golf, baseball, softball, and men's and women's tennis. Not to brag, but we're pretty good at it. Our teams have won seven national championships and we have had more than 100 All-Americans.
Have fun. Try stuff. RVC gives you opportunities to get involved. There are lots of student activities to choose from. We offer more than 20 clubs and organizations. Try your hands at student government. Join the staff of our campus newspaper. What's it going to be?
Get Involved Check out the full list of our Student Clubs and Organizations!
Whether your plan is to take classes and transfer to a four-year university or enter one of our career programs designed to get you into the workforce right away, Rock Valley College has what you are looking for. Select from one of our more than 60 transfer areas or more than 20 career programs.
At Rock Valley College, you're not just a number. Our highly respected faculty have master's degrees, doctorates and real-world experience. You won't be competing for attention in a huge lecture hall. Our average class size is 21, so you'll get a chance to interact, challenge and be challenged by your instructors.
Getting Started Get started at RVC in just a few easy steps.
Whether you are new to the college or know your way around, we have a variety of services designed to help you succeed. We're here for you every step of the way.
EPS Our Educational Planning Sessions will give you a head start on what to expect at RVC.
The Estelle M. Black Library at Rock Valley College features nearly 75,000 volumes and more than 650 periodicals, and access to the interlibrary loan system. It also features spaces for individual and group study, and if you get thirsty, there's a coffee shop in the lobby!
The RVC Alumni Hall of Fame was created in 1999 to honor outstanding alumni who have distinguished themselves by extraordinary achievements in their professional or civic endeavors, thereby bringing honor to Rock Valley College and serving as an inspiration for RVC Students.
Each fall alumni selected for induction will be honored with a special ceremony. In addition, their portrait is permanently mounted in the Alumni Hall of Fame gallery in the southwest corner on the main floor of the Educational Resources Center.
The RVC Hall of Fame members are truly accomplished individuals, representing a wide range of degrees, talents, and interests, have been inducted. Everyone is invited to visit the Hall of Fame to view the inductee's portraits.
The 2009 RVC Foundation Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Room at Rock Valley College. The following are the three new inductees who join the ranks of the 26 previously inducted members. They exemplify Rock Valley College's finest and serve as role models for current RVC students.
Chris held leadership positions at CLARCOR, Furst Transitions, Rockford Park District, Alpine and AMCORE Banks and currently is Vice President with the Furst Companies. Her community involvement has included Board of Trustee membership at Rock Valley College, and Board of Director membership at Janet Wattles Center, Janet Wattles Center Foundation, Family Counseling Services, Rockford Area Society for Human Resources Management, Children’s Development Center, and Rock Valley College Foundation. She was awarded the Alta Hulett Award for the Professions at the 2008 YWCA Leadership Luncheon.
Currently Jenny is a Rock Valley College Assistant Professor and Social Science Department Chair. She served as SHAPE Club Advisor for many years – a social science student organization that supports community service projects, scholastic achievements, and social outlets. Under Jenny’s leadership SHAPE was voted Student Organization of the Year in 2004 and she was selected Distinguished Club Advisor of the Year. In addition, Jenny spearheaded a campus-wide recycling program involving many segments of the Rockford community with an “Ensuring Environmental Kindness Campaign.” She also works closely with many area social service organizations to maintain an ongoing service learning project for her students each semester.
Sarah-Eva Carlson - 1997-1999
Following her graduation from Augustana College (Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa) Sarah-Eva continued her studies at Alliance Francaise, Brussels, King’s College London, and the University of St. Andrews, Scotland (currently a PHD candidate). Sarah-Eva’s career experiences include Terrorist Researcher (tracked Hezbollah, Asbat al-Ansar and Jihad activities at University of St. Andrews), Executive Board Member-London School of Economics, Advertising Director for GDS Publishing (achieving top international sales), and VP of DMC Worldwide (a network of former CIA Advisors). Currently Sarah-Eva is employed by Investars in New York City and is coordinating the launch of their latest product, “YOU”. In New York she is on the YWCA Gala Event Committee and 100 Women in Hedge Funds. In Rockford she was a founding member of Patriots Gateway Community Center.
The Rock Valley College Foundation Alumni Hall of Fame members are:
Brent Bernardi -President, Alpha Controls & Services
The Rev. Denver Bitner, D.Min. – Pastor and Community Activist
JoAnn Burkholder, Ph.D. – Scientist/Professor, North Carolina State University
Stanley E. Campbell – Community Activist
Dan Carter –Director, Penn State University Theatre Department
Dr. Susan Sciame-Giesecke- Dean of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University
John R. Hackett, Jr. Ph.D. – Research Fellow, Abbott Laboratories
Kristine J. Hammerstrand – State Library System Director
Karen M. & Steven J. Herdklotz
Dr. Glenda R. Hildreth- Principal, Whitehead School
James J. Johnson- President, Minnesota State College- Southeast Technical
Rebecca A. Johnson, Ph.D. – Professor; Director of Center on Aging–University of Missouri
Thomas G. Lichtenheld – Art Director and Children’s Author
Richard A. “Rick” Nielsen – Rock Musician with Cheap Trick
Barclay Olson –President, Greenlee Textron
James R. Pirages, J.D. – Attorney, Advocate for persons with disabilities and human rights
Martin Pocs – Business Leader
Steven B. Pugh – Chief of Police, Rockford
Kevin D. Rice – (posthumous award) Police Detective
Kimberla Lawson Roby – Nationally Published Author
William C. Roop- President & CEO, Alpine Bank
Shannnon M. Sheehan, Ph.D. – Researcher in animal/ nutritional science and ailments of the elderly
James R. Sullivan- Freelance theater artist
David L. Syverson – Illinois State Senator
Larry E. Young - Major League Umpire
Inaugural Pacesetter Award
David Nyquist -Department of Justice
Learn more about the Pacesetter Award
For More Information
Hall of Fame nominations are now being accepted. If you are interested in nominating an outstanding RVC alumnus, contact the Rock Valley College Foundation at (815) 921-4500 for a nomination form or download a form now. Nominations at this time are being considered for the 2010 induction.