rollins-magazine-summer-2025

THE CORNWELL ERA

10 years of strategic vision, bold leadership, and indelible impact

BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS

At Rollins, the liberal arts ethos empowers students to dive deep into their passions, sharpen valuable skills, and fuse seemingly unrelated fields into bold, interdisciplinary pursuits. Take, for example, Lauren Schefter ’25, who majored in physics and minored in studio art and developed a love of architecture in the process. During her time at Rollins, she explored the laws and mechanisms of the universe, conducted extensive research in musical acoustics, and honed creative skills in design, drawing, and mixed media under the guidance of art professor Rachel Simmons ’97. In the fall, Schefter is off to the University of Virginia, where she will pursue a master’s degree in architecture.

Supporting access to state-of-the-art equipment and unique collaborative spaces is one of the many ways your gifts to the Rollins Annual Fund empower our students to hone their skills and pursue their passions. You can be a part of this transformational impact by making a gift at rollins.college/give.

Rollins gave me the confidence, community, and curiosity to dream bigger than I ever thought possible. Thanks to the incredible liberal arts education I received, I feel fully prepared for my next steps to become a climate scientist.

— Abrielle Mannino

’25

At Rollins, Abrielle Mannino ’25 found her purpose through questioning systems, challenging assumptions, and using her voice to stand up for those who are often unheard. On campus, she helped create a Climate Action Plan as a member of the Sustainability Committee and conducted student-faculty research that was published in a scholarly journal. Off campus, she traveled abroad to create the first intercollegiate debate team in Greece, attended Harvard’s prestigious Public Policy Leadership Conference, and interned at Brown University, where she examined AI solutions for climate impacts on health-care delivery in the Pacific Islands. Next up? She’s off to Oxford for a oneyear master’s program before heading back to Brown to begin her PhD in climate science.

Visit rollins.college/giving to see how your gifts to the Rollins Annual Fund give students like Abrielle the ability to say yes to every opportunity.

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Editor-in-Chief

Audrey St. Clair ’03

Associate Creative Director

Ashley Willsey

Assistant Creative Director

Sarah Bodman

Assistant Editor

Jessica Firpi ’11

Associate Director, Photo & Video

Alex Stiner

Contributors

Laura J. Cole ’04 ’08 MLS

Scott Cook ’24 MBA

Oksana Drachkovska

Adrienne Egolf

Rob Humphreys ’16 MBA

Zach Stovall

Assistant Vice President of Marketing

Luke Woodling ’17MBA

Produced by the Office of Marketing

All ideas expressed in Rollins magazine are those of the authors or the editors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the College. Letters to the editor are welcome and will be considered for publication in the magazine. Rollins magazine is published twice a year by Rollins College for alumni and friends of the College.

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The faculty and my peers at Rollins have driven me to pursue excellence. Rollins brings the world into reach in a way that has encouraged me to take risks.

Sydney Boswell ’25 , a Class of 2025 valedictorian, discovered her calling in urban planning during her first semester at Rollins, where an eye-opening panel discussion sparked a passion for the field and the value of interdisciplinary, socially conscious education. From there, the public policy and political economy and environmental studies double major dove into hands-on experience through internships with the City of Orlando’s transportation department, Resources for the Future, and the League of Women Voters. The Phi Beta Kappa scholar also spent a semester in Washington, D.C., where she interned at an environmental economics think tank and deepened her commitment to sustainable development. Now, Boswell is putting her passion into action as a city planner with the City of Lake Mary.

TARS ON TOP

For the 14th consecutive year, Rollins has landed among the top 5 in the nation for championing both academic and athletic excellence, with a 96 percent academic success rate. Rollins has once again secured a spot in the top 10 master’s-granting institutions nationwide for the highest percentage of students who study abroad.

Joseph Pool ’26 is one of only 20 students nationwide to earn the distinguished Phi Beta Kappa Key into Public Service Scholarship.

Rollins has been named a top producer of Fulbright Students for the 12th time, reaffirming our national leadership in cultivating global citizens and changemakers.

Camber Mathews ’25 has earned a prestigious Princeton in Asia Fellowship, taking her passion for teaching to Laos to foster cross-cultural connection and global impact.

Doing research with [biology professor]

Paul Stephenson, I gained fieldwork skills, learned scientific design, and applied interdisciplinary skills foundational to my future career in botanical ecology. I now feel empowered to tackle real-world research confidently.”

Solomon Brooks ’25, a biology and environmental studies double major who spent the summer working with biology professor Paul Stephenson surveying lakes near Rollins and the Genius Preserve to study how past ecological changes have affected lake vegetation

LEADERS IN ACTION

Philosophy professor Eric Smaw was selected as an ACE Fellow, one of only 25 faculty members nationwide to be chosen for this prestigious fellowship from the American Council on Education.

Business professor Raghabendra KC ’13, Alec Kriegbaum ’24, and Charles Ebert ’13 published their collaborative research on the influence of generative AI on long-standing practices in the real estate industry in the Journal of Marketing Development and Competitiveness

Computer science professor Sirazum Munira Tisha and Zubair Zabir ’26 presented at the 2025 Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE) conference.

BY THE NUMBERS

6

139,000

The square footage of the new East End Neighborhood, which will house nearly 300 students, a 100-seat dining facility, flexible classroom space, lakeview study rooms, and tennis and sport courts

The number of 2025 valedictorians: Delaney Benton ’25, Sydney Boswell ’25, Skylar Hines ’25, Caroline Hutchinson ’25, Maggie Kuffskie ’25, Abrielle Mannino ’25

$454,049

Amount raised on Giving Day 2025, empowering the next generation of Rollins students to pursue their dreams

60+

Stuffed animals donated during Thaddeus & Polly Seymour Acts of Kindness Day to children receiving medical treatments

1 OF 29

Rollins was redesignated as one of only 29 Ashoka U Changemaker campuses, underscoring the College’s commitment to cultivating global leaders through experiential learning and community engagement.

WHAT IT’S LIKE

MY FIRST SEMESTER AT ROLLINS

From move-in day to meeting professors and fellow classmates, see a student’s first semester at Rollins through the eyes of first-year Ava Bartolomucci ’28.

Having attended a small school in Virginia for high school, Ava Bartolomucci was certain she wanted a small, personalized college experience where she could explore new interests, forge meaningful relationships, and discover the opportunities of a new location in a safe and welcoming community. Hear from Bartolomucci in her own words as she reflects on her first semester at Rollins and how she’s more excited than ever to embark on the best four years of her life.

Home Sweet Home

“Leaving home, I was nervous about feeling out of place, but the tight-knit community and super-supportive professors have made the transition way easier than I expected. I love living in Strong Hall and have met so many friends through my res hall. It didn’t take long before Rollins started feeling like home.”

Kinetic Classes

“My first semester I took Intro to Communications, Voice & Speech, and Critical Media 100. I liked my communications class so much that I’m thinking about majoring in it. I love the small class sizes at Rollins. It’s easy to raise my hand and ask questions without feeling lost in a huge lecture hall.”

Roadmap to Success

“I loved my Rollins College Conference class—it’s a great way to start your Rollins experience. It’s a seminar class you take your first semester, and the professor is your first advisor. My class was Only in Florida with English professor Emily Russell. It was a great bonding experience with other first-years, and Professor Russell provided such an engaging and comfortable learning environment.”

Staying Active

“Every week, there’s Pilates and Zumba at the Alfond Sports Center, and I love going with my friends. It’s such a fun way to take a break from homework and just let loose. And with everything being so close on campus, it’s easy to drop in before or after class.”

Never Alone

“People really care at Rollins. In addition to the professors, there’s so much support available, including accessibility, the Wellness Center, student outreach services, and more. If I have any questions, people are always there to help—everyone from my peer mentors and faculty advisor to staff members and my RA.”

Trying New Things

“I joined Rollins Players, which is a theater social group, and participated in the Expressions dance concert. It was such a blast—I made a lot of friends. I also did crew for the Bike America play, helping out backstage and getting a behind-the-scenes look at how the theater department works.”

Part of a Community

“SPARC Day during Welcome Week brings together all new students for a day of service in the community. My group went to a Title I school and painted walls, cleaned and organized classrooms, and sorted items for the teachers. It was one of my favorite parts of the week. I loved helping people while bonding with my RCC classmates and Professor Russell.”

Campus Cravings

“The Cornell Cafe has become my go-to. Even when I’m in a rush, mobile ordering makes it super easy. But hands-down, my favorite thing is the orange chicken from the main dining hall. My friends and I legit flood the dining team’s suggestion inbox asking for more, and they’re awesome about taking feedback from students.”

Disney Days & Hometown Hangs

“I love going to Disney on the weekends— it’s only about 30 minutes away. I also love grabbing coffee at one of the local cafes on Park Avenue with friends, checking out the shops, and trying out new restaurants. It’s the perfect way to vibe with new people and explore the area.”

“No matter where the future leads, I know I'm not facing it alone. With incredible new friends and the unwavering support of Rollins faculty and staff, I feel truly supported as I embark on my college journey.

On Campus

AUGUST 28

The Grind Cafe made its debut on the ground floor of Olin Library, replacing the former Bookmark Cafe with a fresh lineup of custom drinks, baked goods, and grab-and-go bites. Named to reflect both the coffee-making process and the study hustle, The Grind offers a modernized, kiosk-based ordering system designed to keep students fueled and focused.

FEBRUARY 18

To celebrate the fifth annual Thaddeus & Polly Seymour Acts of Kindness Day, Tars came together to show their commitment to both service and Rollins, donating books, collecting stuffed animals for children undergoing medical treatments, and swapping anonymous messages of kindness throughout the day.

FEBRUARY 27

The Rollins chapter of Phi Beta Kappa inducted 24 students into its fourth class of members. The latest cohort of Tars join 17 U.S. presidents, 42 U.S. Supreme Court justices, and more than 150 Nobel Laureates as members of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society.

FEBRUARY 23

Hosted by the Black Student Union in honor of Black History Month, the Soul Food Sunday event paired classic soul food favorites like fried chicken, black-eyed peas, yams, and collard greens with meaningful conversations around the importance of food in Black culture.

APRIL 5

The much-anticipated LipSync event quite literally lit up Mills Lawn as student organizations brought their A-game for a night of dancing, music, and lip-syncing. For the second year in a row, the Alpha Delta Pi sorority beat out dance teams from dozens of other student organizations to take the gold.

APRIL 7

From pool time at Lakeside Neighborhood to the beloved picnic on Mills Lawn, Fox Day 2025 was once again everyone’s favorite day of the year.

MAY 11

Graduates of the College of Liberal Arts upheld a cherished Rollins tradition, crossing the commencement stage on Mother’s Day in celebration of their many achievements and bright futures that lie ahead. Additionally, Hamilton Holt School and Crummer grads marked their milestone moment the same weekend.

By Adrienne Egolf | Photo by Zach Stovall

A Team Player

As a public health professional, former Rollins baseball player Connor Celentano ’18 is passionate about helping every person in his community achieve access to health and wellness.

When Connor Celentano ’18 stepped onto the Rollins campus as a first-year student, he wasn’t thinking about his future career in public health. The sharp sense of purpose that would eventually motivate him to take on challenges like extreme heat or a global pandemic would come later. At that moment, he was thinking about baseball. But it turns out his instinct to follow his passion for sports was just what he needed to find his calling in life.

“Rollins is all about community,” says Celentano. “From the beginning, my coaches emphasized that what you’re going to remember most is not the wins or losses—it’s the teammates.”

Now, as a project manager for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, that sense of solidarity and serving a cause bigger than one person is what really drives Celentano. He supports wide-ranging efforts from launching disease surveillance systems to developing extreme-heat response plans. Supported by a degree in environmental studies from Rollins and a master’s of public health from the University of Colorado, he says he’s uniquely qualified to help steer these important campaigns.

“My background sets me up for success because I have the technical knowledge while also being an effective communicator and project manager.”

Looking back, Celentano’s path seems clear. But in his early days at Rollins, it was all about exploring. He started as a biochemistry major but then got interested in environmental studies, where he gained an understanding of the ecological, political, social, and ethical dimensions of environmental issues.

“With such a small department, I was able to have relationships with all the professors,” he says. “I could literally go door to door and ask for help. I felt totally supported.”

His minor in public health—along with Rollins’ focus on global citizenship and community engagement—really made things click.

“I saw how public health is related to the environment and learned more about population health,” says Celentano. “I started to see that public health is such a broad field, and it really piqued my interest. At Rollins, I learned so much about what

was going on immediately around me and also around the world, which made me want to keep expanding my horizons.”

Serving as a student employee at Rollins’ Wellness Center allowed Celentano to apply what he was learning in class to the real world. In this role, he helped roll out evidence-based campaigns to promote healthy living for all students.

“Up to that point, it was the most direct opportunity I had to do public health work and dip my feet in the water, which solidified my decision to get my master’s,” he says.

Celentano landed his first public health job in the middle of the COVID pandemic. While life shifted beyond recognition for most of the world, he worked as a lab coordinator for the state of Colorado. He helped facilities get necessary, organized access to testing and eventually managed vaccine rollouts.

What helped him in those challenging months, he says, was the ability to think both creatively and practically—a skill set he built at Rollins.

“Going into COVID, it really helped to be able to think critically because this was something none of us expected to happen,” says Celantano. “I was able to lean on the experience I had at Rollins where I learned to stay composed and think creatively about hard problems while also being realistic. It was a huge benefit I had.”

Celentano was honored with the 2025 Young Alumni Achievement Award, which recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of alumni who graduated within the past 10 years. Ever the team player, he sees the award as a testament not just to himself as an individual, but to the dedication and passion he has for the larger public health field.

“This might shock some people, but if you ask almost any public health official, they’ll tell you the goal is to put themselves out of business. We want everyone to have the same opportunity to reach the same level of wellness and health in our lives. People go into public health because they’re passionate and want to help their communities. So with this award, I’m so happy that the field in general is being recognized—it feels great.”

The Epicenter of Experience

Celebrating its fifth anniversary, Kathleen W. Rollins Hall is transforming the student journey at Rollins.

By Jessica Firpi

’11

| Photos by Scott Cook ’24MBA

Securing world-class internships. Exploring the world through study abroad. Galvanizing social impact. More students than ever are taking full advantage of these opportunities created by Kathleen W. Rollins Hall (KWRH), where R-card access has increased by nearly 30 percent over the past three years. Recent graduate Coco Marshall ’24 was among the first students to tap into this dedicated hands-on learning hub to gain the kind of real-world experience that employers demand. The environmental studies and social entrepreneurship double major participated in a sustainability-focused field study in Portland, Oregon, served as the president of EcoRollins, and held multiple internships, recently leveraging her experience into a full-time position as a sustainability specialist for the City of Winter Park. Her success story is just one of hundreds to emerge from KWRH, where students are empowered to connect passion with purpose through hands-on learning, meaningful mentorship, and bold exploration.

Pathways to Possibility

Programs and events in KWRH have surged by 92 percent over the past three years, fueled by high-impact offerings like the Gateway Fellows paid internship program and the trailblazing Women in Finance program. The latter opens doors for female students like international business major Sonia Canizalez ’24— now a compliance analyst at financial services firm StoneX—to secure internships and explore career pathways in the finance sector.

Real-World Ready

Rollins’ Center for Career & Life Planning helps prepare students for immediate success and long-term leadership through everything from one-on-one advising to internships. Just ask international business major Michael Lagessie ’24, who parlayed a highly selective internship at Universal Orlando Resort his senior year into a full-time role at the theme-park giant as a fixed asset accountant. Lagessie is one of countless examples of Rollins students who’ve worked with CCLP to gain essential real-world experience. In fact, in the Class of 2023 alone, 69 percent of students completed an internship—10 points higher than the national average.

Empowering Social Impact

Rollins joined the Ashoka U Changemaker Campus network in 2012 as Florida’s first member. The designation was recently renewed thanks in large part to initiatives and programs like the Social Impact Hub and the Department of

Social Entrepreneurship, two of KWRH’s signature programs. The College is one of only 29 Ashoka U Changemaker campuses across the country.

Life Is for Service

The Center for Leadership & Community Engagement engages students with issues facing communities in the 21st century through service-oriented projects like SPARC Day, Immersion, Bonner Leaders, and the Democracy Project. In 2023-24, students performed 38,600 community service hours with more than 200 nonprofit partners—a 77 percent increase from the previous year.

Learning Without Borders

The largest number of students to study abroad in Rollins history will embark this fall semester, choosing from more than 90 international programs everywhere from London to Rwanda. It’s no wonder that Rollins regularly ranks in the top 10 in the nation among master’s-granting institutions for the percentage of students who study abroad.

Finding a Voice

Rollins’ four studentrun media outlets— WPRK, The Sandspur, The Independent, and Brushing—now share a dedicated space in KWRH that has helped students like Siobhan Cooney ’22 carve out meaningful careers in media and communications. Cooney leveraged her experience as the editor-in-chief of Brushing to land a role as the assistant director of content strategy at Georgetown University.

By Adrienne Egolf | Photo by Zach Stovall

Lifting Others As He Climbs

Eric Marshall ’91’s story of success and service is a testament to the lasting impact of a Rollins education.

You might say the secret to Eric Marshall ’91’s success is curiosity, and he credits Rollins for sparking it. A sales executive with three decades of experience everywhere from the Atlanta Olympic Committee to Universal Destinations and Experiences, Marshall reflects on how his Rollins experience— conversations with classmates and professors and broadcasting baseball and basketball games for WPRK—shaped him into the person and leader he is today. At Rollins, he discovered how much he enjoyed meeting new people and trying new things.

“I immediately recognized that not everyone has a college experience where you have real relationships with professors and administrators,” says Marshall, senior vice president of sales management at Universal Destinations and Experiences. “At Rollins, you weren’t just part of a machine, and that was incredible for me.”

His curiosity about the world—and specifically about the past—drew him to major in history and embrace the liberal arts ethos. Through both his major and classes in a variety of disciplines, he developed knowledge and skills that he continues to draw on every day.

“The nature of being part of a community and having a voice equipped me really well,” he says. “At Rollins, you sit in a small group of people and express yourself. You don’t just learn, you interpret—and that skill translates well to the boardroom or to any leadership role.”

He laughs remembering the pager he was given on his first day at Universal. “Technical knowledge dates so quickly,” he says. “What I do today bears no resemblance to that job I started 30 years ago. Rollins equipped me with the ability to adapt.”

It also instilled in him the importance of connections. Relationships he forged early on at Rollins helped him feel confident getting involved—not just with his classes and WPRK but also in the larger community. He notes Rollins’ proximity to a large metropolis, with so many opportunities to engage with diverse people and causes. Along with two friends, Marshall founded a fraternity whose distinguishing focus was service.

“We wanted to stand out among the other Greek organizations,” he says. “We realized it feels good to do good. And it feels really good to do good with your friends.”

That sense of giving back never left him. In the years since he graduated, Marshall has served on the boards of causes close to his heart, including Make-A-Wish and Visit Florida. And he’s stayed active at Rollins, a commitment he says comes naturally because of how much the College has given him.

As past president of the Alumni Board, Marshall helped increase alumni engagement, and he regularly mentors students and new graduates through the Career Champions program, providing guidance and support as they embark on their meaningful lives and productive careers.

“Helping people figure out their next steps is really exciting for me,” he says. “One thing I’ve learned is that the pressure today is much different. When I graduated, there wasn’t as much emphasis on having everything figured out immediately. When I mentor students, I try to help them find their next step—but also help them breathe. Most people don’t have it all figured out in college, and they shouldn’t have to. I look at my friends, and not many of us were ready to set the world on fire at 23, but we were educated for the long run.”

No doubt it’s that compassionate, open-hearted style that played a key role in Marshall earning the 2025 Alumni Service Award, a recognition made even sweeter because of Marshall’s latest role in life: a Rollins parent to Grace ’20 and Emily ’22. He jokes that among the three Rollins graduates in his family, he’s the third most impressive.

“They are so much more fearless than I was,” he says, remembering the study abroad programs they pursued and the mentorships they sought out. The pride he feels in his daughters—and his alma mater—shines bright.

“In the end, I got this experience at Rollins that I treasure,” he says. “I made lifelong friends. I found a home and community that I love. And it became that for my kids too. The reality is that I could never give back to Rollins as much as it has given me.”

As President Grant Cornwell closes out a remarkable decade at Rollins, we reflect on his transformational leadership and the legacy of impact that will echo across campus for generations to come.

The mark of great leaders is so much about how they lead themselves. Throughout the past 10 years, President Grant Cornwell has led both himself and Rollins with strategic vision, depth of thought, and a whole lot of heart. He has cultivated a campus culture of kindness, curiosity, and community—a place fueled by the liberal arts ethos, a commitment

to academic rigor, and the belief in the power of relationships.

This special section chronicles the indelible impact of the Cornwell presidency. Under his leadership, Rollins has achieved record enrollments and national recognition for everything from the classroom experience and student support to academic and athletic excellence. Purpose-built spaces

like Kathleen W. Rollins Hall and Lakeside Neighborhood have reimagined campus to better prepare students for meaningful lives and productive careers. And all the while, President Cornwell and his wife, Peg, have inspired people through action and reinvigorated the campus community around the importance of our mission.

By the Numbers

2015-2025

The numbers representing Grant Cornwell’s decade-long tenure as the 15th president of Rollins tell a compelling story—one of record-breaking enrollments, surging applications, and numerous national recognitions for everything from academic excellence to student support. They show an unyielding dedication to delivering on our mission in new and innovative ways and to creating a campus where people come together to advance knowledge and make a difference. Ultimately, all of these impressive numbers point to a single truth: Thanks to the leadership and vision of President Cornwell, Rollins is poised for a big, bright future.

Record Enrollment

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS (CLA) ENROLLMENT

68% growth in CLA applications from 10 years prior to 2015-2025

10%

In 2022, Rollins became one of just 296 institutions to host a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the world’s most prestigious academic honor society. Earned by less than 10 percent of U.S. colleges and universities, the honor is a testament to the rigor of Rollins’ curriculum and commitment to academic excellence. With membership in Phi Beta Kappa, Rollins students join the ranks of 17 U.S. presidents, 42 U.S. Supreme Court justices, and more than 150 Nobel laureates.

638

Number of students in Rollins’ incoming CLA class of 2023, the largest in the College’s history

10

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS

As the headquarters of applied learning, Kathleen W. Rollins Hall has brought 10 programs central to the College’s mission under one roof, equipping our students with the experiential and relational learning opportunities necessary to gain a competitive advantage in the real world. Read more about Kathleen W. Rollins Hall and the impact it’s creating on pages 12 and 22.

Top 25

BEST CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE

For the past three years, The Princeton Review has ranked Rollins’ classroom experience as one of the best in the nation, affirming the value of the College’s unique personalized learning environment and emphasis on mentorship.

Top 10 FOR PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS WHO STUDY ABROAD

Rollins regularly ranks among the nation’s best for the percentage of students who study abroad—a testament to Rollins’ commitment to global citizenship. From semester- and summerlong programs to one-of-a-kind field studies, Tars are exploring the world and testing their ability to make it brighter.

IN THE NATION FOR STUDENT SUPPORT

From helping students juggle academics to maintaining their mental health, Rollins’ array of support programs and resources were named among the best in the country in 2024 by The Princeton Review.

CAREER CHAMPION PAIRS

Since 2017, the Career Champions alumni mentorship program has taken relational learning at Rollins to the next level, proliferating powerful partnerships between alumni and students across the country.

IN THE NATION FOR ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

For the past 10 consecutive years, Rollins has earned the NCAA President’s Award, signifying the achievements of our student-athletes both on and off the field.

$262,868,328

Total given over the past 10 years by more than 15,000 donors to support the people, places, and programs that prepare our students to lead meaningful lives and productive careers.

86% increase in institutional financial aid (CLA, Holt, Crummer) 42% growth of total amount of aid available to Rollins students (CLA) 43% increase in average financial aid package (CLA)

TransformativeIMPACT

Guided by President Grant Cornwell’s vision and leadership, Rollins has reimagined campus over the past decade to deepen student engagement, expand learning opportunities, and more fully realize our mission of creating global citizens and responsible leaders.

By Jessica Firpi ’11 | Photos by Alex Stiner and Scott Cook ’24MBA

Since President Grant Cornwell took the helm in 2015, Rollins has undergone a bold era of transformation, completing several major capital projects to advance strategic initiatives and enhance the student experience.

“President Cornwell provided thoughtful and steady leadership during an era of dramatic change in higher education,” says Don Davison, vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Grant has overseen a renewed commitment to the College’s mission.”

From Kathleen W. Rollins Hall to Lakeside Neighborhood to the Tiedtke Theatre & Dance Centre, Cornwell has championed efforts that enrich student life, elevate the liberal arts experience, and foster a more inclusive, missiondriven campus. And within every new space, program, and initiative lies the commitment to a tradition of excellence in higher education—one that will reverberate for years to come.

Lakeside Neighborhood

Opened Fall 2020

Expanding Rollins’ residential capacity by 500 students, Lakeside blends the best of independent living with state-of-the-art amenities that foster health, wellness, and community. Students can take a group fitness class in the movement studio, then meet up with classmates for a study session at the Fox Lodge Grill before grabbing groceries at the C-Store on the way back to their rooms. They can collaborate on group projects in one of the co-working spaces and connect with advisors in the Center for Community & Connections about finding their fit on campus. Lakeside has redefined residential life as a launchpad for holistic student success.

Rollins Museum of Art

Projected Completion: Spring 2027

Designed by Frederick Fisher and Partners, an architecture firm specializing in arts and education spaces, the new Rollins Museum of Art will elevate the College’s status as the only teaching museum in Orlando. Purpose-built for student and community engagement, the cubist-inspired building will house dedicated classrooms into which curators can bring original works. The 31,000-square-foot facility will provide additional space for the museum’s 6,000-piece collection alongside advanced storage, security, and climate controls to ensure both access and preservation.

Rollins Greenhouse

Opened Fall 2020

A living lab, Rollins’ rooftop greenhouse is a high-tech haven for hands-on learning and interdisciplinary discovery. The climate-controlled, fully automated facility has already engaged hundreds of students across disciplines, housing more than 800 plant species and supporting student and faculty research in everything from plant physiology to botanical illustration.

Skillman Dining Hall

Opened Fall 2019

Skillman Dining Hall’s floor-to-ceiling renovation has transformed the campus dining experience, increasing seating capacity to 367, adding diverse food stations, and embracing an open-concept layout. The all-you-can-eat model, driven by student needs and President Cornwell’s leadership, now features locally sourced ingredients, global cuisines, and a bevy of vegan/vegetarian, kosher, and allergen-free options. With nearly double the meal-plan participants since the switch, the upgraded dining hall reflects Rollins’ deep commitment to health, wellness, and student life, earning national recognition everywhere from The Princeton Review to The Daily Meal as one of the best college dining offerings in the country.

Management & Executive Leadership Center

Projected Completion: Spring 2027

This 35,000-square-foot facility will serve as a dynamic hub for management and executive education, enterprise strategy, and civic leadership development. Connected to the new Rollins Museum of Art and located across from The Alfond Inn, the new center will feature globally connected classrooms, simulation and design labs, and flexible collaboration spaces that enable both deep learning and real-time application. At its heart will be a state-of-the-art forum with capacity for up to 300 participants, offering a unique venue for corporate training and leadership events.

Kathleen W. Rollins Hall

Opened Spring 2020

As the hub of applied learning and a centerpiece of President Cornwell’s legacy, Kathleen W. Rollins Hall (KWRH) brings together 10 mission-driven programs under one roof, powering the hands-on, relationship-rich learning that gives Rollins students a real-world edge. Usage of the building has surged by 29 percent since 2022, and from career preparation to global learning, program participation has skyrocketed across the board. Whether connecting with nearly 200 employer partners, completing more than 38,000 service hours, or studying abroad through one of 90 international programs, students are seizing hands-on opportunities that shape them into powerful leaders ready to tackle the world’s greatest challenges. Read more about KWRH on page 12.

Hume House Child Development & Student Research Center

Opened Spring 2017

A space where academic innovation and community engagement thrive, the reimagined Hume House has tripled its capacity over the past eight years, serving 37 children who represent a full spectrum of abilities and engaging over 230 Rollins students in nearly 2,000 hours of hands-on learning. From observing through two-way mirrors to co-curating art exhibitions, undergrads gain real-world experience in child development while supporting an inclusive preschool environment dedicated to teaching, research, and service.

Tiedtke Theatre & Dance Centre

Opened Fall 2023

Combining cutting-edge technologies with intimate spaces that foster handson learning, the Tiedtke Theatre & Dance Centre has transformed the way theatre students learn, collaborate, and create. Dedicated spaces for everything from costume creation to lighting design have supercharged the creative process, setting the stage for bold experimentation and next-level performances. Since opening, the black-box Sally K. Albrecht Studio Theatre alone has hosted 39 performances, 60-plus improv shows, and a festival of student-written scripts. From scene work to stagecraft, the center has solidified Rollins’ leading role in performing arts education.

Tennis & Golf Center

Projected Completion: Fall 2025

Rollins’ 9,961-square-foot Tennis & Golf Center will offer a state-of-the-art home for the College’s championship-caliber tennis and golf programs, serving as both a powerful recruiting tool and a place for competition and camaraderie. Featuring reconfigured courts, top-tier golf simulators, locker rooms, a hospitality lounge, and dedicated training and equipment spaces, the facility is designed to elevate the student-athlete experience and celebrate Rollins’ legacy of excellence.

Alfond Inn Expansion

Opened Fall 2023

Not only has The Alfond Inn redefined luxury in Winter Park, but it has also expanded access to a Rollins education for our best and brightest students. A philanthropic powerhouse, the Inn has funded more than 80 full scholarships to date and contributed $10.8 million to the Alfond Scholars endowment. Thanks to the expansion—featuring 71 new guestrooms, a spa, fitness center, and more—the Inn is now projected to generate $20 million toward the endowment and $21 million toward athletic scholarships by 2033. In 2024 alone, the Inn sold 4,574 more rooms than the prior year, boosting total revenue by $4.1 million. With its Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art, the Inn serves as a unique classroom for students while inviting visitors to invest in the future of Rollins.

East End Neighborhood

Projected Completion: Fall 2026

The 139,000-square-foot East End Neighborhood will make room for 297 additional students on campus, ensuring that more Tars have access to the residential liberal arts experience so central to our mission. The vibrant new community will feature a 100-seat dining facility, flexible classroom space, lakeview study rooms, and tennis and sport courts. With a variety of room types, collaborative lounges—including one honoring Peg Cornwell—and a permanent home for Campus Safety, East End is another example of how we’re creating a campus for the future that integrates living, learning, and well-being.

Faculty & Staff Housing

Projected Completion: Fall 2026

Planned for the corner of Virginia and Welbourne avenues, Rollins’ new 30unit housing facility will offer dedicated, affordable living space for faculty and staff just steps from campus. This investment strengthens the College’s ability to attract and retain top talent who will enhance student support and strengthen our residential learning community.

THE CORNWELL ERA

Rollins’ presidential power couple Grant and Peg Cornwell cultivated a campus culture that invited everyone into the conversation.

By Rob Humphreys ’16MBA | Photos by Scott Cook ’24MBA

Everyone at Rollins has a go-to story about Grant and Peg Cornwell. Spend enough time on campus—beyond that obligatory first sighting of a strikingly tall, silverhaired man astride his royal-blue Vespa—and you become well-versed on the finer points of C-Store cookies, Barker House soirees, and a large, pizza-snatching Portuguese water dog named Sailor. Backyard dance parties. Kitchen baking lessons. Guest lectures and overseas trips. Religious-like attendance at extracurricular activities. It’s a wonder the College never offered a presidential-themed Immersion. On second thought, maybe there wasn’t a need. Everyone would have aced that course. After all, life at Rollins the past 10 years meant life with the Cornwells. A family atmosphere flourished, and so too did the memories. In listening to stories from those across campus, one thing is for certain: Their lives and Rollins College are better because Grant and Peg gave so fully of their minds and hearts.

A decade ago, in a crowded field of qualified candidates, Grant found a way to stand out. His secret? It wasn’t just about him.

Allan Keen ’70 ’71MBA ’10H (former board chair): During the search process, one of the things that got everyone’s attention was when Grant told us like 3,800 people had visited his home at Wooster. That almost sounded too good to be true. … Well, he ended up hosting 4,000 his first year at Rollins!

Joseph Pool ’26 (SGA president): My first time speaking with President Cornwell, and many of my interactions with him since then, have been at Barker House, sharing dinner and discussion.

Keen: The second thing about hiring Grant was the idea that Peg was an integral part of the presidency and a real asset to go with him.

Lorrie Kyle ’70 (executive director, office of the president): In an interview shortly after becoming Rollins’ president, Grant said that although he couldn’t define “the magic or chemistry,” he and Peg were much more effective together than the sum of their individual parts.

Julie Garner (women’s golf coach): There are no more passionate narrators of the Rollins story than Grant and Peg. They’ve always been enthusiastic cheerleaders for Rollins from the very beginning—the heart and soul of the College.

Before Grant became “Grant!” he had to win some people over. Earning the trust of faculty meant establishing a culture “grounded in mutual respect.”

Sam Stark ’91 (VP of communications and external relations): Of all the accomplishments Grant made as president, first and foremost, he created a campus culture that has become one of the College’s greatest strengths.

Keen: His first job was to reinvigorate the faculty and get them back to where they were comfortable and happy.

Anne Murdaugh (associate professor of physics and faculty president): Early on, there was a vote in the faculty that didn’t go the way Grant wanted. At the end, he

walked up to the faculty leaders and said, “Well, that’s shared governance!” That was so appreciated. Even though he didn’t agree with the outcome, he was genuinely respectful and validated the faculty’s feelings. It was a sense of, “OK, let’s go back to the drawing board and rework this.”

Jana Mathews (professor of English): Grant will be forever beloved at Rollins because while he takes the work of the College seriously, he never takes himself too seriously. During my two-year tenure as CLA faculty president, I always appreciated his sense of humor.

Donna Lee (VP of student affairs): In one especially memorable email, Grant wrote, “Often your stubbornness is charming. Not so this time.” I laughed out loud when I read it.

Mathews: With each dad joke and self-effacing aside, Grant proved the veracity of U.S. Weekly’s claim that stars really are just like us.

Lee: We had our moments—spirited, honest, direct, but always grounded in mutual respect and a deep love for this place and our work. That tension? That push and pull? It made the work better.

Stark: Grant has a unique ability to compartmentalize issues by importance, and when needed, he will decide quickly. But even when a person or group desperately wants a decision made, Grant has an internal process that he trusts, and there is no timeline. Do not confuse this with indecision. I suspect it’s tied to his education in and passion for philosophy and the pursuit of truth, not speed.

Murdaugh: In faculty leadership meetings, we’d always take a minute to debate things like, “Is time a social construct or something tangible?”

Susan Singer (president, St. Olaf College; former VP of academic affairs and provost, Rollins): I can point to a single inflection point in the arc of my career when I committed to a path in academic leadership. During my interview process, Grant shared that everyone on his team had to see the humanity in everyone, regardless of the situation. That was the moment I was sold on his approach and vision.

Lee: I had left Rollins. I did not think I would return. But he saw something, extended the invitation, and opened the door. Because of him, I came home.

Ellie Rushing ’19 (reporter, The Philadelphia Inquirer; former editor-in-chief, The Sandspur): Our reporting, like all good journalism, was not always what the College wanted splashed in print, but regardless, we could sit together and talk through the logistics and challenges of a story, and I always left feeling supported, understood, and with a deeper understanding of an issue than when I walked in.

Micki Meyer (Lord Family assistant VP of student affairs for engagement): One of my favorite memories with Grant was on the dedication day for Kathleen W. Rollins Hall. We were chatting before the ceremony while sitting at the top of the gathering stairs. After three years of dreaming, planning, and creating a plan to deepen student engagement with the mission, we took a collective breath and took it all in with hearts filled with gratitude and excitement for the future. “We did it!” he said. I’ll never forget that.

Eltavious Johnson ’26 (SGA vice president): Here’s how President Cornwell ended every SGA conversation with me and Joseph: “Thank you for your service. Love you, guys. Have a great day.” … You just automatically go, “Love you too!” That’s really a special thing to hear from a president.

During my interview process, Grant shared that everyone on his team had to see the humanity in everyone, regardless of the situation. That was the moment I was sold on his approach and vision. —

Susan Singer, president of St. Olaf College and former Rollins VP of academic affairs and provost

Right beside Grant every step of the way was Peg, whose unique contributions impacted the lives of faculty, staff, students, and the community at large.

Barbara Alfond ’68 (honorary trustee and namesake of The Alfond Inn): I have the deepest admiration for the way Peg gave agency, respect, and visibility to the catering staff. She made them feel seen, proud of what they achieve, and proud of being part of Rollins. Peg also brought spouses and parents of trustees deeper into the intellectual life of the campus … and did you know she has her very own fan-girl club of young women she’s taken under her wing?

Arabella Lilleslatten ’25 (one of four roommates who became Peg’s “Cookie Gals”): I wanted to interview Peg for The Sandspur to finally uncover the elusive cookie recipe that seemed to follow every mention of her name. Then she sent me this email: “How about I bring over all the ingredients and you, your roommates, and I make Peg’s cookies?” We were so excited. I’m pretty sure we spent three hours cleaning our Lakeside apartment that day.

Alfond: The relationships that blossomed over a cookie have been one of the most important parts of these young women’s lives.

I’ll never forget how President Cornwell and Peg were so willing to learn about others by walking in their shoes. On an Immersion in Uganda and Rwanda, they became like one of the students ... vulnerable and stepping out into the unknown.

Vivianne Nieves ’20

Lilleslatten: We started a group chat called “Cookie Gals” and met up several times each semester, not just to bake, but mostly to catch up on life. These sweet conversations often happened while we baked spicy molasses cookies, with Peg slipping little pieces of butter to Sailor—his favorite treat—or while we made one of her favorite desserts, glazed lemon cake. [At the end of each month, Peg would sell her cookies at the C-Store, with proceeds benefiting the Student Emergency Fund.]

Alfond: Peg was an amazing ambassador. When she served as chair of Second Harvest Food Bank—a program she cared about personally and gave her time to not as the partner of the president of Rollins—she made it her business to know every single worker by name and his or her history.

Vivianne Nieves ’20 (on attending a leadership Immersion in Uganda and Rwanda with the Cornwells): I’ll never forget how they were so willing to learn about others by walking in their shoes. I saw them confronted with new concepts and dynamics. They became like one of the students … vulnerable and stepping out into the unknown.

Lilleslatten: Grant and Peg have truly been like campus parents—not just to us, but to everyone.

Johnson: When I played piano on stage, I knew I could look in the audience and see Grant and Peg.

Garner: I call them my closers. Whenever we had a prospective student-athlete come to campus, the first thing I’d do was reach out to Grant and Peg to see if they could meet the student and tell them about Rollins. I was pretty much undefeated.

Together, the Cornwells were always the life of the party and everyone was invited.

Murdaugh: Grant was so supportive of his faculty, dare I say indulgent. At the annual holiday party, he let us put a dance floor in his backyard to liven things up and really connect. It was great seeing Grant and Peg dance.

Johnson: In SGA, we decided to do a presidential roast on the Lip Sync stage. We thought it was a longshot because sometimes those things can go south, but he agreed. We had a lot of jokes about Fox Day and Peg’s cookies and President Cornwell playing basketball—all the things that make him zingy. It was such a great event that he invited us to reprise the roast at his presidential dinner.

Garner: Our golf team came over for a pizza party one time, and one of the players put the box of pizza on a chair. Sailor’s usually so laid-back, but in less than a second he grabbed a whole piece of pizza and inhaled it. I thought, this is how my career at Rollins is going to end. I’ve poisoned the president’s dog. But he turned out OK.

Kyle: The glue of the Cornwells’ special relationship is their ever-present sense of humor. At a recent dinner for trustees, Grant spoke of the thousands of guests he and Peg had welcomed to Barker House. Peg’s riposte: “Have they all left?”

Johnson: There always came a time when it was like, “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.”

Lilleslatten: To be loved is to be seen—and Grant and Peg saw every student. I’ll miss watching them lead Rollins with so much heart, but I know their love for this community runs deep. They’ll always be here in some way.

Alumni Weekend 2025 welcomed Tars near and far back to the neighborhood for a funfilled weekend of connection and reminiscing. From cherished traditions to new events, the beloved alumni gathering created unforgettable memories with old and new friends alike and celebrated the bright future that you’re helping us build at Rollins. Relive a few of the most memorable moments from everyone’s favorite weekend of the year.

Owned by Scott Cooke ’80, Good Dogg Beverage became our firstever sponsor for the Grove Party.

Grove Partiers 1,110+

Alumni Weekend Events

Amount raised by 50th reunion class $13,661,973

Farthest Distance Traveled 8,100 miles (from Gauteng, South Africa) Attendees 1,240 Order of the Fox Inductees

Brooke Barnett brings a mindset of possibility, passion, and purpose—and a knack for meaningful, necessary questions—to the role of leading Rollins as the College’s 16th president.

By Laura J. Cole ’04 ’08MLS | Portrait by Zach Stovall

Dan Koehler doesn’t remember all of the details—it was more than a decade ago—but he does remember the questions: How will your film impact the people involved? How do you package it in a way that’s accessible, interesting, and impactful?

They are questions asked by Brooke Barnett, his honors thesis advisor, during one of their many brisk walks across Elon University’s campus in spring 2012 as they discussed his documentary about a Zambian farmer. They’re the same questions Koehler, an Emmynominated, Oscar-winning documentary editor, still asks himself today.

Those walks were and are a hallmark of their relationship. For Barnett, then an associate professor of communication and associate provost, they were a way to maximize time between meetings and events. For Koehler, they were formative.

“They’re proper New York walks, where you’re moving fast and covering a lot of ground but also really digging into interesting topics,” says Koehler. “They really get your brain going. They’re the classic Brooke walks. They are definitely a fixture of our relationship.”

Ask anyone who’s met Barnett, who began her tenure as Rollins’ 16th president on July 1, and three qualities stand out. She’s dynamic—she talks fast, walks fast, thinks fast. She asks a lot of questions. And she genuinely cares. All three attributes are rooted in her training as a journalist and time spent as a reporter, host, and news director at a PBS station, where deadlines, information, and relationships are not optional—they’re essential.

This dynamic mix has led many who have met her to describe her, admiringly, as a dynamo. And it is this energy, inquisitiveness, and authenticity—alongside a deep passion for students, the liberal arts, and Rollins and its mission—that she brings to leading the College into its next era of growth.

Seeking Possibilities

One of Barnett’s most important questions—What’s possible?—perhaps came from her time as a student at Georgetown College, a liberal arts school in Kentucky. At the time, she hadn’t imagined becoming a journalist, professor, or college administrator. She was toying with the idea of pursuing politics but knew only three things for sure: She wanted to help people, she liked writing, and she loved reading. Growing up before the Internet, smartphones, and social media, she didn’t have many opportunities to experience life outside of the tiny, historical town of Harrodsburg, Kentucky, where she lived. But she did have books.

“Whether fiction or nonfiction, books help you better understand lives that you haven’t lived,” says Barnett.

And so she majored in English, and like many liberal arts students, branched out from there—adding a communication major and diving into theater, playwriting, philosophy, and journalism. She served as editor of the student newspaper and met professors who became mentors.

It was English professor and newspaper advisor Rosemary Allen, now president of Georgetown College, who encouraged her potential as a journalist. Earlier this year, Allen shared why. She recalled a moment overhearing Barnett talking with a source and witnessing how natural she was at asking the right questions.

“[Allen] felt that being a journalist was in my blood, and I will say questioning things

really still is,” says Barnett. “Not in a dogged, let’s-get-down-to-the-bottom-of-this kind of way, but in a this-is-how-we-learn-fromeach-other-as-humans kind of way. That’s still how I seek to understand.”

Pursuing Passion

Another key question Barnett asked herself—and encourages students to ask— is, What’s my passion?

With Allen’s encouragement, Barnett earned a master’s in journalism followed by a PhD in communication, both from Indiana University Bloomington. There, while working at local PBS affiliate WTIU, she found two new loves: documentary filmmaking for its ability to amplify different voices and her husband Tom Mould, who joins Rollins as a faculty member in the anthropology department. She also discovered a new passion: teaching.

“I loved the scholarship, the collaboration, the energy in the classroom,” she says. “That’s what drew me to academic life.”

In 2001, Barnett joined Elon University as an assistant professor of communication. Kenn Gaither, now dean of Elon’s School of Communications, recalls meeting Barnett for the first time in 2004 when he joined the faculty.

“She was the kind of faculty member who reached out to me and introduced herself and made herself a resource to me,” says Gaither. “And over time, that very professional relationship turned into a friendship. My first impression was ‘what a dynamo and what a welcoming

presence to Elon and the School of Communications.’”

When asked about Barnett’s biggest legacy at Elon, Gaither has a hard time narrowing down his response to just one thing.

“There was a time when, if you looked at the priorities at Elon, Brooke was involved in all of them,” he says. “Whether we were talking about the campus climate, student belonging, student media, or undergraduate research—she was involved in those conversations, and she was one of the people who helped move all of those little things forward to the extent that

She quickly caught the attention of Jeff Stein, who served as chief of staff at Elon.

“I learned a lot from working with Brooke,” says Stein, now president of Mary Baldwin University in Virginia.

“Whenever there was a really challenging problem, she was one of the first people I wanted to talk with because she thinks broadly, has vast experience, and rarely, if ever, gets boxed in by challenges. She’s just really nimble.”

That mindset earned her the dean role at the College of Communication at Butler University in 2019. She rose to provost only two years later. As Butler provost and executive vice president,

“Brooke was the kind of faculty member who reached out and made herself a resource. My first thought was ‘what a dynamo.’

— Kenn Gaither Dean of Elon’s School of Communications

they’re not so little anymore. They’re part of the institutional fabric of Elon.”

Barnett is especially proud of co-creating the Center for Access and Success, helping students from all backgrounds thrive in higher education.

Barnett developed new programs, including a codified first-year experience and a two-year college, integrated well-being into the core curriculum, and worked alongside faculty to create a robust suite of faculty support

initiatives, including the creation of the Center for Faculty Excellence.

In this role, Barnett worked closely with Melissa Beckwith, Butler’s chief strategy officer, who describes Barnett as “a blend of energetic, collaborative, and fun.”

“She cheers people on,” says Beckwith, “but also pushes us to ask: Is this the best way? Can we do it differently?”

Prioritizing Purpose

It’s not surprising then that people— and specifically students—are the answer to another one of her favorite questions: What’s my purpose?

“At her core, Brooke is teaching and mentoring and helping others reach their potential, and so when she sits down with a group or has an issue to deal with, it’s less about her and more about where you’re trying to go and how the whole group can get there,” says Stein, who regularly welcomed Barnett and her family to Passover Seder. “She balances intelligence with kindness, authenticity, and a whole lot of creativity. And she brings that together in a way that makes it exciting for

Brooke Barnett and her husband, Tom Mould

people to take on challenges, even the hardest ones.”

It’s not only the big issues, though, where Barnett shows up. It’s also the small moments. Gaither recalls Easter a decade ago. His eldest daughter, Ellie, was 2, and he and his wife had recently welcomed twins. They were exhausted and didn’t have the energy to think about Easter, let alone decorating or celebrating. Without being asked, Barnett and her family showed up with a bucket of eggs and began hiding them in his backyard.

“She gave Ellie the Easter experience we wanted her to have but couldn’t manage ourselves,” says Gaither. “That’s just who Brooke is.”

As faculty leaders for study abroad trips, Barnett and Mould have likewise provided numerous students with experiences they wouldn’t otherwise have. In May, Mould, a professor of anthropology at Butler, led an honors class to Italy to explore Tuscan culture and cuisine, while Barnett went to London, overseeing an international internship program in media and culture that she developed as a dean.

Barnett considers these experiences a way to stay connected

with students as she moves into higher leadership positions, where time is quickly filled up with meetings with donors, faculty, administrators, alumni, staff, and community members.

“As provost and executive vice president, I could go every day the whole entire year and not really interact with students in direct ways in my job,” she says. “To me, that felt like an impoverished existence, so I manufactured ways to make sure I didn’t lose that connection.”

That includes attending student events, sending check-in notes, and scheduling the kinds of walk-andtalks that were commonplace with Koehler, her documentary mentee. The structure has changed somewhat— she lets students choose the topic of conversation—but she always ends with three questions: What brought you to Butler? What could we do to be better? What faculty or staff member made a difference during your time here?

For the last one, she loves passing along responses to colleagues—minus the student’s name, of course.

“It’s one of those small things that make a difference in exemplifying the

“At her core, Brooke is teaching and mentoring and helping others reach their potential, and so when she sits down with a group or has an issue to deal with, it’s less about her and more about where you’re trying to go and how the whole group can get there.

— Jeff Stein Chief of Staff, Elon

Brooke Barnett with her husband, Tom Mould, and children Jack and Lily

“During the interview process when people talked about what is special about Rollins, I bought in 100 percent. I’m optimistic about all the good things that are happening and how we’ll work together to face whatever comes next.

— Brooke Barnett Rollins College President

relationship-rich environments any leader hopes to cultivate,” she says.

The first two, however, are critical for Barnett to ensure she makes informed, student-centered decisions.

“Brooke understands deep in her heart that our work is about the students, that we need to be studentcentered, that we can’t just say that we are student-centered, but that has to drive every aspect of what we’re

doing,” says Stein. “And because she has spent so much time with students, and believes in students and their potential, it sort of makes it a nobrainer that they would naturally be involved in the process.”

Leading Rollins

With all of the questions Barnett has at the ready, a natural one for her at this juncture is: Why Rollins?

The first answer is simple. She believes in the College’s mission.

“I’m really bullish on Rollins,” she says. “During the interview process when people talked about what is special about Rollins, I bought in 100 percent. I’m optimistic about all the good things that are happening and how we’ll work together to face whatever comes next.”

But as with so much of what you find with Barnett, there’s always more bubbling just under the surface. She’ll tell you that she’s known about Rollins

ever since she worked at Elon—they often benchmarked what they were doing against what the College was doing. She likes the feel, ethos, and approach of Rollins, and she loves the connection with Mister Rogers. She fell in love with the campus and the people while facilitating a training for Rollins staff one fall. And Florida itself is a bonus. Her parents and two of her siblings live in the state, meaning that for the first time since she left home for college, she’ll live near her family.

Still, she turns the spotlight outward.

“We will always want to keep answering the question, ‘Why Rollins?,’ for students,” she says. “Do we have the right answer to that question? Are we paying attention to and evolving the student experience to meet their needs and aspirations?”

During the 30 years she’s spent in higher education, Barnett has seen constant change—from mental health to evolving technologies. She knows

there will be challenges and unknowns, such as the role of artificial intelligence, making college affordable, and public perceptions of higher education and the value of a liberal arts degree. She’s eager to push forward on all of them, but right now her top priority is listening.

She hasn’t mapped out her first 90 days. A transition committee of trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, and Winter Park community members are shaping what that looks like, and she wants them to have the space to do their work and to hear their findings. She doesn’t have a five-year plan either. That, she says, will come through collaboration.

So maybe the better question is: Why Barnett?

The answer is an inevitability to the people who know her. Stein confesses he thought she’d become a college president before he did. Beckwith notes that Rollins is lucky to gain a president with Barnett’s energy, passion, and spirit. Gaither, with more than 20 years in higher ed, says, “I can’t think of anybody better positioned to be a college president.”

As for Koehler, far removed from higher education, if he’s being honest, he doesn’t exactly know what a college president does.

“But if it’s anything related to the way she mentored me and how I’ve seen her handle other positions in her past,” he says, “there’s no better person for the role.”

IN HER WORDS

Incoming Rollins President Brooke Barnett lets us in on a few things that inspire, ground, and motivate her every day.

A BOOK SHE LOVES

Sula by Toni Morrison

CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT My family

FIRST JOB

Beaumont Inn gift shop

FAVORITE PLACE

SHE’S TRAVELED

Istanbul, Turkey

SOMETHING SHE WON’T MISS

A morning commute. I’m so excited about being able to walk to work and connect with students and colleagues along the way.

A FAVORITE COLLEGE MEMORY

Spending a long night finishing the college newspaper

GUARANTEED TO MAKE HER SMILE

Babies

HIDDEN TALENT

I listen to podcasts at double speed.

BEST ADVICE

SHE’S RECEIVED Be present.

BIGGEST PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT

Becoming the 16th president of Rollins College

On

Giving Day 2025, the Rollins community came together to make our students’ dreams come true.

By Audrey St. Clair ’03

On February 20, you helped turn dreamers into doers. Your support on Giving Day 2025 has bolstered our ability to provide the South’s best liberal arts education on a campus that inspires purpose, connection, and community. More than 1,300 Tars joined forces to raise over $450,000 for everything from scholarships and athletics to career-readiness programs and study abroad experiences. To celebrate, we’re sharing a few of our favorite dreams come true.

Thanks to you, students like Joseph Pool ’26 have the means and opportunity to earn prestigious awards like the Phi Beta Kappa Key into Public Service scholarship.

Thanks to you, dreamers like political science major Ciara Bibbs ’27 receive the kind of essential academic and social support they need to thrive at Rollins and beyond.

Thanks to you, Rollins continues to earn a spot among the NCAA’s top 5 colleges in the nation for academic and athletic excellence, achieving an academic success rate of 96 percent.

Photos from left: Alex Stiner, Zach Stovall, Scott Cook ’24MBA

Thanks to you, adult learners like Milad Aghahassankashani ’28MHR are able to pursue graduate programs designed to fit their busy lives, allowing them to reach the next level in their productive careers.

Thanks to you, students like Emily Reynolds ’25 are making the magic happen at big-name companies like Walt Disney World, where the business management major turned an internship into a full-time role as a financial analyst.

Thanks to you, students like Kalani Senior ’25 have the opportunity to explore the world through life-changing and career-defining study abroad experiences.

1,321

Number of donors

$454,049

Amount raised

$266,500

Amount unlocked by matching challenge gifts

404

Number of first-time donors

103

Number of student donors, a 134 percent increase from 2024

Make an Impact Every Day

Missed Giving Day? You don’t have to wait another year to show your support. Help turn Rollins students’ dreams into reality by making a gift to the Rollins Annual Fund today.

CLASS NEWS

Across the Arts

Leah Flaherty ’07 has published her fifth children’s book, A Bunny Queen Christmas. She owns her own imprint and donates all proceeds to charity, focusing on organizations that support children.

Theatre grad Mary Davis ’73 has produced and worked on numerous shows on and off Broadway, including 2024’s The Outsiders, which garnered a Tony award for Best Musical along with several other notable accolades.

In April, Richard Sansone ’76, professor of Portuguese at Valencia College, hosted artist Clovis Junior for an art exhibition. Sansone launched Valencia’s Portuguese program and credits his Rollins mentor, professor Frank Sedwick, for sparking his passion for languages.

After months of training at Orlando Ballet, Whitney Morse ’04 recently performed as Fastrada in a production of Pippin at the Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol in The Villages.

Honor Roll

Debbie Pappas-Burback ’93 and her real estate team were recognized on the 2024 RealTrends Verified list, which identifies top agents and teams.

Crummer professor Keith Whittingham ’01MBA co-authored a paper in Business Research Quarterly on how the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals are shaping corporate sustainability reporting.

Akmal Ali ’03 was honored with Syracuse University’s ’CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur Award for his achievements in entrepreneurship.

Ginny Bozeman ’04, a governmental law attorney with Pope Flynn, has been certified as a South Carolina court mediator.

Theresa Chu-Bermudez ’11, founder of GetOut! Custom Travels, was selected as one of the Travel Industry 40 Under 40 leaders.

Wendy J. Roundtree ’16 was named one of Orlando Business Journal ’s 2025 Women Who Mean Business.

Christine Martin ’17 received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship to support her shark conservation research.

Founded by Johnny Nartowicz ’18 ’19MBA and Colton O’Dwyer ’19MBA, Bricks & Bowls won Best Casual Dining in 2024’s Best of Winter Park.

Cheryl Strizelka ’20MHR has been named a 2025 Power 100 honoree through the Security Industry Association’s Women in Security Forum.

Jonathan Rosengarten ’23, known by his stage name Foínix, has been named one of the ClimaxPlay chart’s top 100 most streamed electronic artists in the U.S.

Sendy Sejourne ’23, a biological scientist in epidemiology with the Florida Department of Health, recently returned to campus to give a presentation on the importance of social wellness.

Gatherings & Milestones

Kit ’73 and Peirce “PC” Ward ’75 ’76MBA celebrated the marriage of their son, Colton, to his wife, Nivea. Whitney Ward Dana ’05 was also in attendance as well as Gary Lickle ’76 ’77MBA and 160 friends from around the world.

Beth Lincks ’75, who writes under the pen name Arlene Hutton, is celebrating 30 years as a playwright. Her play Blood of the Lamb won the Critics’ Circle Award at the 2024 Adelaide Fringe Festival, and her latest work will premiere at the 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Will Graves ’77 ’78MBA was recognized by the City of Winter Park with a namesake day on February 14, 2025, for his civic leadership, national media recognition, and contributions to the city.

Carol Graham Beck ’79, Suzanne Connolly Beck ’79, and Mardi Gradolf ’79 reunited in Washington, D.C., to celebrate their lifelong bond formed at Rollins in 1975.

Led by Scott Cooke ’80 P’07, Good Dogg Beverage served as the first-ever official sponsor of the 30th annual Grove Party during Alumni Weekend 2025.

Members of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority returned to Rollins for a reunion weekend. Highlights included a campus tour led by SGA president Eltavious Johnson ’26 and a nostalgic visit to the former Kappa House.

The Future of Finance

Cari Hodges Jordan ’94 and seven of her former classmates celebrated their 30th annual trip, a tradition they’ve maintained since graduation. Joining Jordan in New Orleans were Cathy Smith Dexter ’94, Melanie Powell Dunn ’94, Shannon Harrison ’94, Aleese Hartmann Livesey ’94, Jen Meli ’94, Tami Dimond Oliva ’94, and Holly Hollingsworth Phillips ’94.

Justin Corrado ’03, a Rollins Sports Hall of Fame inductee and All-American recipient, hosted the second annual men’s soccer fall reunion at his Winter Park home in November.

On November 17, 2024, Micah ’11 and Rachael Purdy-Kokomoor ’14 welcomed their second daughter, Riley Katharine.

Colleen Wilkowski ’15 and Davis Tailer ’16 tied the knot in Scottsdale, Arizona, surrounded by fellow alumni, including Kyle Boucher ’16, Amanda Cianci ’15, Rebecca Diaz-Arrastia Lewis ’15, Charlotte Robins ’16, Stefany Tost ’15, and Eleanor Boyle Watts ’16

Armando Santin Herrera ’16 is celebrating his eighth year as a U.S. naval officer and currently supporting a State Department mission to help Madagascar build a Naval Training Center for its officers.

Jasmine Skinner ’18 and her husband, John, exchanged vows in the historic Knowles Memorial Chapel surrounded by family and friends.

Layna Mosley ’93, professor of politics and international affairs at Princeton University, returned to campus for a scholar talk to share her journey and how Rollins helped her discover her passions. Founder of the Princeton Sovereign Finance Lab, Mosley is shaping the world’s understanding of sovereign borrowing and the political economy of global finance.

Rollins gave me my first glimpse into academic life. The faculty showed me what it meant to be an engaged scholar, teacher, and mentor—and I still carry their lessons with me.

— Layna Mosley ’93

Making Moves

Bob Jimenez ’89 has opened Solana Fine Art in Winter Park, showcasing works from Southeastern artists in oil, acrylic, encaustic, mixed media, and art glass.

Steve O’Donnell ’91 has been named president of NASCAR, where he will oversee the national and international racing series as well as media, business, and track operations.

Sean Connolly ’96 was named board chair for Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, an organization focused on providing safe, enriching after-school and summer programs for children from underserved populations.

Jeanmarie Eck ’97 is stepping into a new role as senior minister at Unity Church of Delray Beach, where she recently relocated with her family.

Kevin Green ’99 ’01MA was appointed chief information security officer at Terracon, a national consulting engineering firm where he will oversee cybersecurity and information security functions.

Cari Rotenberger ’04 is the new program coordinator for Knowles Memorial Chapel and the Center for Religious & Spiritual Life.

Amy Calandrino ’07’s first book, From Perfect to Real: Ditch Perfection, Shift Your Mindset, and Thrive on Your Terms, hit No. 12 on Amazon’s business mentoring and coaching list.

An Epic Path

Moriah Russo ’13 recently joined the Rollins Museum of Art as a curatorial assistant, where she leads research for upcoming exhibitions and supports the museum’s curatorial efforts.

Christina Dempsey ’14MBA was appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom to serve as the deputy director of government affairs for the state’s Department of Cannabis Control.

Angela Dolberry ’18 recently launched Harlem World Palm Consulting, an executive virtual assistant service that assists CPAs with admin support, client management, and workflow optimization during tax season.

Marcelo L. Martinez ’21DBA has been appointed to the board of directors for the YMCA of South Florida.

Cameron Reeves ’22 and Madi Salinas ’22 launched their pilates fashion business and brand, Pila Barre, earlier this year. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, they donated hundreds of socks to the National Breast Cancer Foundation and contributed 30 percent of the proceeds from their Pila Pink sock line.

Juliette Bennie ’23 was promoted to associate director of Yale University’s STEM Program Evaluation & Research Lab, a leader in systems-based research and evaluation in undergraduate STEM education.

Charles Stevens ’07 is shaping the sound of Universal’s brand-new Epic Universe theme park as a music specialist. From leading rehearsals to providing direction for live performances like the “Untrainable Dragon” and “Darkmoor Musician,” Stevens oversees all in-park music experiences. He proudly keeps a Rollins pennant by his desk and credits mentors like music professor John V. Sinclair and the late Richard Owens for sparking his passion for the musical arts.

No two days are the same at Epic, and it’s incredibly rewarding to work alongside fellow Rollins alumni, both on stage and behind the scenes.

— Charles Stevens ’07

STAY IN THE KNOW

You don’t have to wait for the magazine to stay up to date with your classmates. Keep an eye out for our monthly Class News feature in the FoxFlash newsletter.

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In Memory

Ruth Hill Stone ’39 P’69

October 4, 2024

Ralph L. Pernice ’52

February 13, 2025

Beverly Vickerstaff Porte ’53

January 3, 2024

Norma Faust Burkhardt ’54

March 3, 2024

William H. Wright ’54

January 17, 2024

Geri Pacino Beck ’55

February 16, 2024

William F. Boggess ’55

November 17, 2024

Natalie Rice Bryant ’55

August 17, 2024

Harry W. Cost ’55

June 12, 2024

Franklin D. Hutsell ’55 ’68MBA

June 23, 2024

Irene Drake Callaway ’57

March 25, 2024

Emily McGiffin Mooers ’57

June 25, 2024

Katherine S. Schwarz ’57

October 15, 2024

Edwin E. Borders Jr. ’58

June 9, 2024

Leslie L. Priester ’58

March 2, 2024

Dale E. Ingmanson ’60 P’91

March 17, 2024

Richard A. Bishop ’61

September 1, 2024

Marilyn Koepke Richardson ’61

July 3, 2024

Roland P. Golf Lamontagne ’62

February 4, 2024

William A. Farmer ’63MBA

July 30, 2024

William M. Adamson ’64MBA

May 3, 2024

Gene A. Faubel ’64

October 6, 2024

Thomas H. Brew ’65

November 21, 2024

Gordon W. Regan ’65 ’67MAT

May 11, 2024

Eleanor L. Brown Renuart ’65MAT

September 24, 2024

Burton K. Arno ’66MAT

January 25, 2024

James L. Ehle ’66 P’94

December 14, 2024

Martha Bahmiller Lair ’66

October 2, 2024

Robert W. McMillan ’66

December 19, 2024

Silas K. Baker Jr. ’67MBA

April 3, 2024

Clyde A. Bonar ’68MCS

April 14, 2024

Patrick R. Crowley ’69

August 7, 2024

Judith McMillan Anderson ’70

February 2, 2025

Charles A. Andrade ’70

October 5, 2024

William Johnson ’70

January 20, 2025

Howard Sugiuchi ’70

October 12, 2024

Robert F. Maltby ’71

October 16, 2024

Albert J. Perry ’73 ’76MSM

May 29, 2024

Dewey W. King ’74

September 20, 2024

Loane J. Randall ’74

June 10, 2024

Warren J. Deatrick ’75MSM

November 3, 2024

Carolyn Cory Sawyer ’75

June 2, 2024

Peter A. Turnbull ’75

December 8, 2024

Alison Hurst ’76

November 1, 2024

Stephen M. Griffith ’77MSM

February 10, 2024

Bobby G. Trott ’77

July 8, 2024

James D. Herndon ’80

August 27, 2024

Audrey J. Layden ’80

June 26, 2024

Lynn A. Vasicek ’80MSCJ

June 12, 2024

Frances Godfrey Breazeale ’81

August 1, 2024

June B. Hubek ’82MED

June 13, 2024

Barry R. Nager ’82MSCJ

April 26, 2024

Kathryn B. Sheppard ’82 ’83MA

October 4, 2024

Doris F. Twiss Bell ’83

December 30, 2024

James W. Hall ’83 ’92MLS

May 9, 2024

Olivia B. Moore ’83 ’89MED

July 23, 2024

Dave R. Wiesenhahn ’84

August 15, 2024

GO GREEN

Scan here or visit rollins.college/gogreen to receive your magazine electronically. If you choose this option, you will no longer receive the print version of Rollins magazine.

Fred Collington Jr. ’85MBA

February 1, 2024

Polly Gnagy Seymour ’85 ’90H

November 23, 2024

William H. Herrington ’86MBA

February 6, 2024

Joan K. Campbell ’87

August 21, 2024

Sean E. Murphy ’88

November 17, 2024

Willodean C. Perry ’91

July 23, 2024

Ashley M. Tenney ’98

March 9, 2025

Jon Ramer ’99

May 12, 2024

Donna W. Silkworth ’01

September 2, 2024

Michael J. Hilton ’03

December 6, 2024

Jose A. Fajardo ’10MBA

December 19, 2024

Noelle Matullo ’24

August 7, 2024

RETRACTION

Rollins magazine deeply regrets the erroneous listing of Mary Kellogg Robinson ’75 P’07 and Carolyn Hodges Jordan ’94 as deceased in the fall 2024 issue. We sincerely apologize for any confusion or concern this may have caused.

By Luke Woodling ’17MBA | Photo by Alex Stiner

What I’ve Learned: Grant Cornwell

Record enrollment. A historic fundraising campaign. A campus transformed in tune with our mission. Grant Cornwell’s tenure as Rollins president has been marked by some of the College’s most significant milestones, and the impact of his 10 years at the helm of the institution will be felt for decades to come.

Yet for many Tars the lasting image of President Cornwell could well be of him traversing campus on his blue scooter; serving alongside his wife, Peg, on SPARC Day; or welcoming students, faculty, staff, and alumni to Barker House. After all, his down-to-earth sensibility, collaborative style, and bottom-up approach to leadership were just as essential to the College’s success as his strategic acumen and passionate advocacy for the liberal arts. Cornwell wasn’t just the chief architect of a Rollins education—he was also one of the most prominent practitioners of its core values. He embodied the Rollins ethos of kindness and collaboration and modeled the College’s commitment to relational learning and personalized attention through interactions with every member of the Rollins community. Regardless of who you were, you always got the feeling that Cornwell genuinely cared about your ideas and valued your contributions to the College and its mission.

As he prepared to leave office earlier this year, we asked Cornwell to reflect on what he learned from his decade leading Rollins.

Your mission must drive everything you do. Every project, every investment, every decision has to align with your mission and has to position you to better deliver on your mission. You cannot ever lose sight of it.

The deepest learning happens in the context of human relationships, and a good teacher is a designer of educational experiences where students have to collaborate to solve a problem. That’s what we do here.

Liberal arts education is continually remaking itself. The content and delivery of a liberal arts education is constantly changing, but it’s fascinating to watch the perpetual resilience of the model as a set of educational ideals.

Our education system is the secret sauce to American prosperity. The university system in America is the most productive engine of knowledge that humanity has ever seen, and it is a fundamental reason why the United States is the most powerful civilization the world has ever seen.

Freedom of inquiry is the basis of knowledge production in American universities. If you start to erode the basis of free inquiry, the long-term implications for American society and the American economy are extremely dire.

A college president needs the humility not to ever walk into a decision thinking they have the answer already worked out. You have to lead with a disposition to listen and collaborate. You look for good ideas and then lift those ideas up and move them forward.

The raw exercise of power never yields a totally positive outcome. If you get to a point in a decision situation where you have to achieve the desired outcome through positional power, then you haven’t led.

Always lead with kindness. That’s the key lesson I’ve taken from Fred Rogers ’51 ’74H. However much you might disagree with a person, you have to lead with respecting their humanity.

Never push your relationships to the side for the sake of work. The thing that has made my partnership with Peg so successful is that no matter how busy we get we’ve always taken time to nurture our relationship as a couple and our relationship with our family.

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WINTER PARK, FL 32789-4409

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BUILDING BETTER FUTURES

Rollins’ new Behavior Services Center is providing students in the Applied Behavior Analysis & Clinical Science (ABACS) graduate program with the unique opportunity to gain real-world experience with the support of expert faculty. Located just around the corner from campus, the center is empowering ABACS students to put classroom concepts into practice working with children with a range of behavioral challenges, giving them a competitive advantage as they pursue careers as behavior analysts. Visit rollins.college/abacs to learn more about the program and the new center.