3 Rollins Presidents Honored in Naming of Lakeside Neighborhood

Rollins President Grant Cornwell today announced that the College will name three wings of the new Lakeside Neighborhood in honor of Rollins presidents Hugh McKean, Thaddeus Seymour ’82HAL ’90H, and Rita Bornstein ’04H ’04HAL.

“Each of these storied leaders laid the groundwork to make Rollins the great college it is today and set the stage for those of us who have the honor of stewarding its mission to educate our students for global citizenship and responsible leadership, empowering our graduates to pursue meaningful lives and productive careers,” Cornwell said in a statement. “When the College’s Lakeside Neighborhood opens in 2020, I hope you will all join me in honoring these three presidents and their legacy as we welcome students into the McKean, Seymour, and Bornstein wings.”

McKean served the College as its 10th president, from 1951 to 1969. He helped shape both Rollins and the City of Winter Park during his tenure. In addition to being an educator, he was a lover of nature, art, and culture, seamlessly incorporating fine art into Rollins’ campus. On May 17, 1956, McKean placed a statue of a fox on Mills Lawn and declared classes canceled for the day, inviting the students to spend the day "doing things as a college," thereby establishing Fox Day.

Seymour came to Rollins in 1978 as the 12th president of the College. During his 12-year tenure, he led Rollins' centennial celebration in 1985, transformed the school through fundraising efforts, and championed the academic excellence of liberal arts education. The Thaddeus Seymour Award for Community Engagement was established in 2006 as a means of recognizing Rollins staff members for sustainable and demonstrated service in local and global communities.

Bornstein served as Rollins’ 13th president, from 1990 to 2004. She was the first woman to hold the office. In 2001, she was named to the George D. and Harriet W. Cornell Chair of Distinguished Presidential Leadership when Rollins received a $10 million gift for the first endowment of a college presidency in the nation. Under Bornstein's leadership, Rollins focused on strengthening its commitment to excellence, innovation, and community.

Opened in fall 2020, Lakeside Neighborhood has set a new standard for liberal arts living and learning. The 250,000-square-foot residential facility centers on community and wellness, offering students private personal space surrounded by collaborative communal spaces.