UConn's Very Own ROCKstar

Hi everyone, Taylor here!

Brooke and Mike P, two colleagues at the Visitors Center, listen to Rock as he provides a clue in the exciting challenge of Jorgensen Jeopardy during our Summer Training!

One of my favorite parts about being a Colleague at the Lodewick Visitors Center is getting to meet some of UConn’s most interesting staff and faculty.  Just the other day I had the opportunity to sit down with Rodney Rock, director of Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, to talk to him a little bit about how he got to where he is today.

Born in Wymore, Nebraska, Rock attended the University of Nebraska for his undergraduate studies and went on to study opera at the University of Missouri for graduate school. During his time at the University of Missouri, one of his professors decided to move to the University of Connecticut causing Rock and his wife (also a music major) to follow in order to finish their Master’s degrees. While receiving his Masters degree and for a few years after, Rock sang in cities such as New York City, Boston, and all over the East Coast performing oratorical work, secular church music performed on a concert stage. During this time he had the opportunity to perform at venues such as St. John the Divine Cathedral, the United Nations, and Cami Hall in New York City.

The upper theater, Albert N. Jorgensen Theater, located in the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts

However, after a few years performing, Rock decided to settle down and find a stable job after the birth of his first child. Since Rock served as House Manager at Jorgensen during his graduate studies it seemed appropriate to return there for employment. Over the next few years Rock moved from Business Manager, to Area Coordinator, to Intern director, and finally to Director; and he’s been here ever since.

Here at the Lodewick Visitors Center, we like to think that we have the best job on campus, however Rock begged to differ. When asked why he loved his job Rock mainly talked about his love of the performing arts, but he explained that UConn’s location and the students are what have kept him here. Rock loves the North East and living in a college town in a country setting that is conveniently located between Boston and New York City. He also says that being surrounded by college aged students keeps him feeling young.