Rollins Update: Founders' Day
November 4, 2007
One hundred twenty-two years ago today, Rollins College opened its doors to its first class—66 students. One hundred twenty-two years ago yesterday, carpenters were working frantically to convert Winter Park's Congregational Church into a classroom. Since those days, described by Frederick Lyman, one of the College's founders, as "An unsatisfactory arrangement," but not "An unworthy beginning," the bonds between Rollins and the local community have remained strong.
Today these bonds continue to grow through the contributions of our students to our community.  Last month, our students' commitment to community service was recognized with the highest award presented by Florida Campus Compact, a statewide coalition that promotes engaged teaching and learning through organized service projects to develop citizenship skills and values. Out of 51 Florida colleges, universities, and community colleges that are members of Florida Campus Compact, Rollins was honored with the "Overall Statewide Award" for most engaged campus. Our mayor recognized this achievement by proclaiming "Rollins' Community Engagement Day" in the City of Winter Park.
One of our students, junior Patrick McKelvey, remarked how much the award means "because we are one of the smallest schools associated with Florida Campus Compact," adding, "We are the little engine that could." His remarks recall the triumph of tiny Winter Park in the 1885 competition to be home to the first college in Florida.
We remain grateful for the commitment made by the Congregational Church and our community 122 years ago. We believe the return on investment—represented by the success of our students and alumni—would have given the College's founders great joy. Today we celebrate not only our history, but our present and our future, and our enduring partnership with our community.
Lewis M. Duncan
President |
