Photos: New York City Reception, 9/15/2022

More than 50 alumni, parents, donors, and friends of the College gathered on September 15, 2022, at the Museum of Arts and Design’s Robert Restaurant to celebrate Rollins’ Brighter Together campaign.

Attendees enjoyed conversation and connections as well as views of Columbus Circle and Central Park. Rollins President Grant Cornwell also provided an update on the state of the College, including an overview of enhancements to America’s most beautiful campus, recent national recognition, and historic admission applications and enrollment.

Cornwell shared that Rollins has recently welcomed the largest class in the College’s history, with more than 630 first-year students and more than 100 transfer students beginning their Rollins journey this fall.

“We have the largest, most diverse, and most selective class in Rollins history on campus this fall,” said Cornwell. “This first-year class is so excited to be in college and so happy to be on campus. They are bringing a tremendous energy and hunger into the classroom and onto campus.”

Cornwell also noted that the College received more than 10,000 applications for admission from first-year and transfer students—a record number that represents a 77 percent increase over the past five years.

Cornwell also detailed a handful of the College’s recent campus investments:

After a major renovation to Mills Memorial Hall, Kathleen W. Rollins Hall now serves as the College’s new applied learning center. Made possible by a $10 million gift from Trustee Kathleen W. Rollins ’75, the state-of-the-art facility incorporates 10 offices and programs that empower students to put their education to work in the world, including the Center for Career & Life Planning, the Center for Global Initiatives, and the Social Impact Hub.

Lakeside Neighborhood, a new 250,000-square-foot residential facility located on the southeast shoreline of campus, provides accommodations for more than 500 residents as well as a host of amenities designed to support the health of well-being of the campus community.

Thanks to a $5 million gift from Philip and Sigrid Tiedtke, the Tiedtke Theatre & Dance Centre will open later this fall. The 16,165-square-foot facility will feature a black box theater, costume shop, and classrooms dedicated to design and technology, dance, acting, and directing.

An expansion of The Alfond Inn is scheduled for completion next summer. In addition to 71 new guest rooms, the Inn’s new wing will feature a cafe, spa, and a second swimming pool as well as additional meeting and event space and more room for the Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art. The expansion will increase the impact of Rollins’ boutique hotel, whose profits directly support student scholarships.

President Cornwell went on to relay the news that this past March Rollins installed a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the world’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society. Rollins is now one of just 293 colleges in the nation to shelter a Phi Beta Kappa chapter.

In closing, Cornwell highlighted scholarships and financial aid as the College’s No. 1 fundraising priority.

“We put financial aid to work to make Rollins accessible to the most worthy students who want to study on our campus, and 93 percent of students receive financial aid to attend Rollins,” said Cornwell. “So if you ever want to support your alma mater, financial aid and scholarships is the way to go because you’re making it possible for students to study at Rollins who wouldn’t be able to otherwise.”