LEFT: President Rita Bornstein ’04H ’04HAL (l) and Barbara Lawrence Alfond ’68 (r) with Charles and Dianne Rice during the celebration of the Charles Rice Family Bookstore & Café
ROLLINS PRESIDENTS REMEMBER CHARLIE RICE
BOTTOM LEFT: Dianne and Charles “Charlie” Rice at the dedication of the Harold & Ted Alfond Sports Center
“My first day in the presidency was a Sunday and I went to the College to review some paperwork. There was a knock on the window of the president’s office. It was Charlie, asking to come in to introduce himself. We were friends from day one.” — Jack Critchfield ’78H President 1969-1978
BOTTOM RIGHT: The Rice Family prepares to cut the ribbon dedicating the Rice Family Bookstore & Café (l to r): Dan Rice, Julie Rice, Charles Rice, Dianne Rice, Celeste Rice Donovan, Michelle Rice Mitchell ’91, and John Donovan
“During my dozen years of administration, Charlie was part of almost every major decision on behalf of the College, and his clear-eyed and practical vision steered the institution to new heights. Rollins was so lucky to have his leadership and loyalty.” — Thaddeus Seymour ’82HAL ’90H President 1978-1990
While Rice was earning recognition in the world of finance, he was also giving back to his communities. He served as a trustee of Winter Park Memorial Hospital and a director of Loch Haven Art Center (predecessor of the Orlando Museum of Art), president of the Jacksonville Metropolitan YMCA, and chairman of The Florida Council of 100, among other volunteer leadership roles. He was also a founding co-chairman of Take Stock in Children, a nonprofit organization providing college scholarships and mentors to at-risk children in Florida. A particular passion was education. In addition to involvement as a trustee of the University of Miami and a director of Jacksonville’s Bolles School, Rice devoted substantial service to Rollins, including election to the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors, inaugural chairmanship of the Crummer Board of Overseers, and 33 years as a member of the College’s Board of Trustees, with three terms as chairman and three years as chairman of the record-breaking fundraising effort The Campaign For Rollins. Coupled with the gifts of time and experience
were generous contributions in support of the College’s annual fund and priority facilities. Rice and his wife, Dianne Tauscher Rice ’61, provided funds for the Rice President’s Dining Room in the Cornell Campus Center and the award-winning Charles Rice Family Bookstore and Dianne’s Café. His alma mater recognized Rice with the Rollins Decoration of Honor in 1972, the Alumni Achievement Award in Banking and Finance in 1983, induction into the Crummer Alumni Hall of Fame in 1987, and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1998. The Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida named him a Champion of Higher Independent Education in Florida. Describing the importance of supporting Rollins, Rice once stated, “For anyone who has ever experienced Rollins, no explanation is necessary. Our society is in dire need of leadership. And Rollins is a place capable of preparing our future leaders.” Rollins has lost one of its notable leaders, but Charles Rice’s legacy of service, advocacy, and support remains to inspire generations of Rollins students and future leaders. ■ —Lorrie Kyle Ramey ’70
SPRING | 2009
“Charlie worked tirelessly to help strengthen Rollins’ financial position and academic excellence. He was fun, focused, and forward thinking—a perfect alumnus, friend, and trustee.” — Rita Bornstein ’04H ’04HAL President 1990-2004
“His candor was refreshing and his business sense was unparalleled. Together with his sense of humor and genuine affection for Rollins, these qualities combined to make Charlie Rice a lifelong standardbearer for the College.” — Lewis Duncan President 2004-
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