Rollins College facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Rollins College

Motto	Fiat Lux (Latin)
Motto in English	Let there be light
Type	Private college
Established	November 4, 1885; 139 years ago (November 4, 1885)
Endowment	$438 million (2022)
President	Grant Cornwell
Provost	Susan Singer
Academic staff	231
Students	3,127 (2018)
Undergraduates	2,034 (2018)
Postgraduates	556 (2018)
Other students	537 (2018)
Location	Winter Park, Florida , U.S.
Campus	Suburban, 80 acres (32 ha)
Radio station	WPRK
Colors	Rollins blue & gold
Nickname	Tars
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division II – Sunshine State
Mascot	Tommy Tar

Rollins College theatre

Rollins College is a private college located in Winter Park, Florida. It was started in November 1885. The college offers around 30 different study programs for undergraduate students. It also has several master's degree programs. Rollins College is the fourth oldest college or university in Florida.

Discovering Rollins College History

Rollins College is one of Florida's oldest colleges. It has always been open to everyone, regardless of background. It was also one of the first colleges to welcome both boys and girls.

The idea for the college began in 1884. Lucy Cross, who started a school for young women, suggested creating a college in Florida. She is known as the "Mother of Rollins College." The college officially opened its doors in Winter Park on November 4, 1885. It was founded by people from New England who wanted to bring their style of education to Florida.

Early Supporters of Rollins College

Many people helped Rollins College get started. One important person was Alonzo Rollins from Chicago. The college is named after him because he gave a lot of money. He also helped lead the college as a trustee.

Another early supporter was Franklin Fairbanks. He was a successful businessman and helped found Winter Park. He also gave money to Rollins College and served on its board.

Presidential Visits to Campus

Several U.S. presidents have visited Rollins College. President Franklin D. Roosevelt received an honorary degree in 1936. Other presidents who have visited include Calvin Coolidge, Harry Truman, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama.

The Okinawa Statue Story

In 1994, Rollins College was in the news internationally. The government of Japan asked for a statue back. This statue of Ninomiya Sontoku was taken during World War II in 1945. A Rollins graduate, Clinton C. Nichols, had brought it to the college.

At first, the college said no to returning it. But after talking with the U.S. government, they agreed. The statue was returned to Okinawa in 1995. This was to remember 50 years since the end of World War II. Rollins College received a copy of the statue. They also made an agreement to work with a high school in Okinawa.

Campus Safety Measures

Rollins College has worked to keep its campus safe. In 2011, they discussed new security plans. This included limiting access to some entrances. They also added new security cameras.

In 2014, the college practiced for emergencies. They held a drill with armed police officers. This was to make sure they were ready for any hostile event.

Exploring the Rollins Campus

The Rollins College campus is about 70 acres. It has many facilities for students. These include a theater, a campus center, and a sports center. The campus is in a beautiful spot in Winter Park, Florida. It is right across from Park Avenue.

Campus Building Styles

Rollins College is famous for its beautiful buildings. They are built in the Spanish and Mediterranean Revival styles. These styles fit well with Florida's natural look. The college's leaders wanted the buildings to match its unified education style. This consistent design helps create a special feeling on campus. It inspires students and staff.

Historic Residence Halls

In 1930, two women's dorms were built: Pugsley Hall and Mayflower Hall. Mayflower Hall was named after the famous Pilgrim ship. A piece of wood from the original Mayflower ship is even placed above a fireplace there. Today, Pugsley Hall is home to the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

Chase Hall was built in 1908. It was first a dorm for men. Now, it houses the Lucy Cross Center. This center supports women and their allies on campus. It is named after Lucy Cross, the "Mother of Rollins College."

Cross Hall is also named after Lucy Cross. Hooker Hall is named after Edward Payson Hooker. He was the first president of Rollins College. Today, Hooker Hall is home to the Chi Psi fraternity.

Pinehurst Cottage is one of the oldest buildings. It was built when the college started. It has been a women's dorm, a men's dorm, and even a library. Pinehurst was recognized as a historic landmark in 1985. Today, it is a co-ed residence hall.

Alfond Boathouse on Lake Virginia

The Alfond Boathouse was built in 1988. It helps the Rollins College waterski and sailing teams. It sits right on Lake Virginia. The boathouse has offices, a classroom, and a boat bay. It was updated in 2016.

The Peace Monument Story

Sunrise over Lake Virginia from Rollins College campus

A special Peace Monument was put up in 1938. It was dedicated by college president Hamilton Holt. The monument has a German artillery shell from World War I. It has a message about the sadness of war.

The top part of the monument was stolen during World War II. But a plaque from the bottom part still exists. It is in the Mills Memorial building. The monument was even featured in a New York Times article in 2000.

Winter Park Institute Programs

The Winter Park Institute brings important people to campus. Scholars, leaders, and artists visit Rollins. They give talks, lead workshops, and share their knowledge. These events are free and open to everyone.

The Institute started in 2008. Famous guests have included U.S. poet laureate Billy Collins and environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. Other visitors include Jane Goodall, Paul Simon, and even Sir Paul McCartney.

Olin Library and Its Resources

Rollins College Carnegie Library (Now Olin Library)

Rollins' Olin Library opened in 1985. It is four stories tall and has many books and resources. It also has special collections and digital materials. The library offers access to many online government resources.

In 2013, Olin Library won an award for excellence. In 2021, the library started the Rollins Book Arts Collection. This collection uses art to help students understand important issues. These issues include global politics, cultures, and the environment.

Olin Library's Digital Resources

The Olin Electronic Research and Information Center opened in 1998. It has the latest technology for students. This includes computers, printers, and scanners. These tools help students with research and presentations.

Olin Library's Carnegie Beginnings

The library's collection is one of the oldest in Central Florida. It started in 1909 as a Carnegie Library. These libraries were funded by Andrew Carnegie. He helped many colleges get libraries.

Rollins College president William Fremont Blackman asked Carnegie for a library in 1904. He explained that Rollins was unique. It brought together students from different backgrounds. Carnegie offered $20,000 for the library. The library, named Carnegie Hall, opened in 1909. It was the school's first dedicated library building.

Archibald Granville Bush Science Center

The Bush Science Center at Rollins has modern classrooms. It also has labs for science, math, and computer science. This is where Donald J. Cram did his early chemical studies. He later won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1987.

The science center was updated in 2013. It is now the largest building at Rollins. It has three floors with many offices, classrooms, and labs.

Rollins Museum of Art

The Cornell Fine Arts Museum is on campus. It has many artworks from ancient times to today. It's a great place to see different kinds of art.

Annie Russell Theatre Performances

The Annie Russell Theatre is a historic theater on campus. It was named after actress Annie Russell in 1931. She taught at Rollins until 1936. The theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

Knowles Memorial Chapel

Knowles Memorial Chapel

The Knowles Memorial Chapel is another historic building on campus. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. The chapel was built in 1931-1932.

Even though it was started by a church group, Rollins is not tied to one religion. The chapel welcomes everyone. It holds both Protestant and Catholic services. A beautiful circular window shows the seven liberal arts.

The Rollins Walk of Fame

The Rollins Walk of Fame is a unique path on campus. It has stones from places connected to famous people. President Hamilton Holt started the idea in the 1920s. He wanted to honor important figures.

The Walk of Fame officially began in 1929. It included stones from the homes of George Washington and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Later, stones from international figures were added. These included stones from places linked to St. Augustine and William Wordsworth. By 1932, there were over 200 stones.

After President Holt retired, some stones went missing. But in the 1980s, someone was put in charge of caring for them. As of 2003, there were about 530 stones. Most honor specific people, but some honor places or events.

Rollins College Academics

Rollins College has three main parts for learning. These are the College of Arts and Sciences, the Crummer Graduate School of Business, and the Hamilton Holt School.

Undergraduate students can choose from about 30 majors. These include studies like computer science, psychology, and theatre arts. Rollins also offers master's degrees. Popular majors in 2022 included Business Administration, Communication, and Psychology.

Admissions to Rollins College

Getting into Rollins College is "more selective," according to U.S. News & World Report. For students entering in Fall 2018, about 66.6% of applicants were accepted. The average GPA for new students was 3.31. Most students scored well on the SAT and ACT tests.

Rollins College Rankings

Rollins College has received high rankings. U.S. News & World Report named it No. 1 in its 2021 "Best Regional Universities South Rankings." It was also ranked No. 13 for "Best Value Universities in the South."

The college was also recognized for "Best Undergraduate Teaching." Rollins is also known for producing many Fulbright Scholars. These are students who receive special scholarships to study abroad.

College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences is a big part of Rollins. In 2010, it had over 1,800 students. The student-to-faculty ratio was 10 to 1. This means there is one teacher for every ten students.

Crummer Graduate School of Business

The Crummer Graduate School of Business offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. There are different programs for students with various levels of work experience.

• The Early Advantage MBA is for recent college graduates.
• The Professional MBA is for students with more experience.
• The Executive MBA is for experienced professionals.

The Rollins MBA programs are recognized in national rankings. They are accredited by a group called the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Hamilton Holt School Programs

The Hamilton Holt School offers classes for adult students. It started by offering courses to World War II veterans. In 1987, it was named after Rollins' eighth president, Hamilton Holt.

This school offers bachelor's and graduate degrees. It focuses on students who are working. Most classes are held in the evenings and on weekends.

Special Academic Programs

Rollins College Conference (RCC)

All new students in the College of Arts and Sciences take the Rollins College Conference. This course helps new students get used to college life. It also covers a topic of interest to the student. The professor for this course becomes the student's first academic advisor. Older students, called peer mentors, also help new students.

Honors Degree Program

The Honors Degree Program is for top students. They take special classes that replace some general education requirements. To earn an honors degree, students also write a thesis in their major.

Accelerated Management Program (AMP)

The Accelerated Management Program lets students earn two degrees faster. Students can get a bachelor's degree and an MBA in five years. They take graduate-level courses during their fourth year.

International Study Programs

Rollins offers international courses for all students. Students can study in places like London, Sydney, and Madrid. Some programs are directly through Rollins. Others are partnerships with other colleges. Students can study abroad for a week or a whole semester.

Rollins College Athletics

1898 track team

Rollins College sports teams are called the Tars. This is an old name for a sailor. Rollins competes in NCAA Division II sports. They are part of the Sunshine State Conference. The college has 23 varsity teams.

Rollins has won 23 National Championships. They have also won 67 Sunshine State Conference titles. The most successful sport is Women's Golf. They have won 13 national championship titles. Many individual golfers from Rollins have also won national championships.

The Rollins water skiing teams compete in NCAA Division I. This is the only Rollins team to compete at that level.

Campus Life at Rollins

Rollins College is in Winter Park, near Orlando. There are over 150 student clubs and organizations. These include a wakeboard club and a ballroom dance club.

Many students live on campus. About 75% of students live in residence halls or apartments. The college also provides shuttles, called "Rolly Trolly," for students to go shopping.

Fox Day Tradition

Fox Day is a fun tradition at Rollins. Every spring, the college president cancels all classes as a surprise. Students get a day off to visit local beaches or amusement parks. They return for a barbecue later.

It's called Fox Day because a fox statue is placed on the main lawn. This means classes are canceled. The fox statue was a gift in 1934. It used to have a cat statue with it, but the cat disappeared in 1949. Now, the fox is hidden until Fox Day.

In 2020, Fox Day did not happen. This was because the campus closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Winter Park Bach Festival

Since 1935, Rollins College has hosted the Winter Park Bach Festival. This festival brings famous classical musicians to campus. It lasts for two weeks. The Bach Festival Society has 150 voices and is known as one of the best in America.

WPRK 91.5 Radio Station

WPRK 91.5 FM is Rollins College's radio station. It is called the Best in Basement Radio. It is a non-commercial station. Its signal can be heard throughout most of the Orlando area.

Notable Alumni

See also

• Rollins College Interracial Committee

Images for kids

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  View of buildings from Lake Virginia