Robert and Catherine Rothkopf

Robert and Catherine Rothkopf

Bob and Cathy Rothkopf have established this endowed scholarship as a way to give back to an institution that is an important part of their lives. They want to support hard-working students who demonstrate leadership and are involved in the university community.In 1967, Bob received his bachelor’s degree in management and would return to get a master’s degree in 1973. Bob worked his way through college as a commuter student while also raising a family. Cathy received her associate of arts degree from Southeastern Community College in West Burlington Iowa and her Bachelor of Arts degree in business from Western Illinois University.The Rothkopfs had distinguished and successful careers in business. Bob spent forty-five years in the automotive and metalworking industries. He started in 1965 at Chrysler Corporation and held a variety of positions in manufacturing and sales culminating to the position of president of Elco Industries Industrial Products division, Camcar and Semblex Corporation. He retired from Semblex in 2010. Cathy McCulley-Rothkopf spent forty years in the finance and accounting industry. She started her career at McGladrey & Pullen in Burlington, Iowa. Like Bob, she worked her way through college. Cathy spent the majority of her career with A.G. Edwards & Sons (now Wells Fargo Advisors) as Vice President of Investment and is a certified financial planner (CFP) who holds several securities licenses.While in retirement, the Rothkopfs remain engaged in the business field with Cathy doing occasional tax work. Bob runs Rothkopf and Associates Consulting while also serving as an adjunct professor in the NIU College of Business.