A Lifelong Commitment to Rollins

John Henry ’88 ’90MBA P’18 and Eryka Jennings ’92 have been named co-chairs of the Rollins Annual Fund, the latest chapter in their longstanding relationships with the College.

Henry’s connection began with his mother, who arrived at Rollins in 1949 after learning about Rollins through alumna and renowned golfer Alice Dye ’48 ’02H. Jennings, a Winter Park native, learned to swim at Dinky Dock and fondly recalls spending her childhood summers attending camp on campus.

Both eventually enrolled at Rollins and, years later, returned as alumni leaders, volunteers, mentors, and donors. Now, as co-chairs, they are encouraging fellow alumni to give back annually, ensuring today’s students benefit from the same meaningful Rollins experiences they were afforded.

The Rollins Annual Fund provides flexible support for the students and programs at the heart of the College. For Henry and Jennings, its impact is personal. Both received financial aid and began giving back with annual gifts of approximately $50 to $100 to the Area of Greatest Need or Financial Aid. As their careers progressed, they increased their support. Today, both make annual leadership gifts and are members of the Fiat Lux Society, which recognized Rollins’ most generous annual donors.

“No matter what amount you give, it matters,” says Jennings. “Small annual gifts are just as important as large gifts.”

For Henry, Rollins is a legacy story that spans generations. He attended alongside his sister, met his wife, Pam, on campus, and later watched his children continue the tradition. Scholarship support helped him pursue both his undergraduate degree in political science and his MBA from the Crummer Graduate School of Business. It also allowed him to spend a semester studying in Paris, which provided him with a valuable global perspective.

“Giving back to Rollins, whether it’s time, talent, or treasure, comes down to the opportunities I had as a student,” says Henry. “It’s knowing what philanthropy can do to open doors for people who might not otherwise be able to attend Rollins.”

Through his annual giving, he supports the College’s greatest needs as well as Rollins Athletics. Having benefited from scholarship support himself, Henry knows how impactful this can be for students. It also gives them access to formative experiences, such as studying abroad and collaborating with faculty. His support reflects what he learned through the years: Sustaining the Rollins experience requires consistent investment from those who believe in its value.

After building a career in technology, Henry followed an entrepreneurial path after his daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 6. He and Pam developed software to help manage the condition, which grew into an organization supporting children with type 1 diabetes, their families, and nurses across the country.

Throughout his career, Henry remained connected to Rollins. He helped organize alumni events in Dallas and served six years on the Alumni Advisory Board, including as treasurer, vice president, and president, before joining the Board of Trustees for a three-year term from 2023-26. Those experiences deepened his appreciation for what it takes for the College to thrive. They also showed him why consistent annual support remains essential. Although Rollins has grown thoughtfully, Henry understands that sustaining its close-knit learning environment and expanding opportunities for students depends on alumni and donors who invest in the college year after year.

“Rollins, in a way, hasn’t changed,” says Henry. “It is still a small, cohesive learning environment where you get to know your professors. When I walk onto campus, it still feels the same. Rollins has grown very thoughtfully.”

Jennings’ Rollins story also came full circle. After graduating with a political science major and psychology minor, she began working for a bank and eventually moved into financial technology. Today, she provides banks across the country with modernized software supporting their operations. Although she never envisioned that career as a student, Jennings credits her liberal arts education with preparing her to adapt.

“Without that Rollins background, I don’t think I would have been able to flourish as I have,” says Jennings. “A liberal arts education allowed me to pivot into the position I’m in today.”

Around 2012, she began giving annually to Rollins, directing much of her support to financial aid because it helped make her own education possible. Her gifts increased through time, eventually growing into annual leadership support. Soon afterward, a friend invited her to Alumni Weekend, where Jennings reconnected with the community and discovered new ways to complement her philanthropy through volunteer service.

That weekend began a new chapter of involvement. Jennings volunteered with SummerSERVE before joining the Alumni Advisory Board and eventually serving as its president. She then joined the Board of Trustees from 2022-25. Since 2020, she has also mentored four students through the Career Champions program.

“The level of engagement and innovation I see from Rollins students blows my mind,” she says. “They are creating apps, doing consulting work, and taking on so much beyond the classroom.”

Working directly with students has given Jennings a firsthand view of the experiences annual gifts help sustain. It has also reinforced her decision to support the Area of Greatest Need and Financial Aid so more students can access a Rollins education.

As co-chairs, Henry and Jennings hope to engage alumni at every stage of life and show donors what their support makes possible. They also share a belief that giving can take many forms.

“It can mean making an annual gift to the Rollins Annual Fund, mentoring a student, volunteering, or speaking to a class,” says Jennings. “Staying connected to Rollins in some way is so important.”

By sharing their stories, Henry and Jennings hope more alumni will recognize the role they can play in sustaining the transformative Rollins experience for today’s students.

Support the Rollins Annual Fund

Gifts of every size help create meaningful opportunities for Rollins students. Make your Rollins Annual Fund gift today.