Rollins

In Memory: Vivian Carrington ’17

May 02, 2019

By Office of Marketing

Vivian Carrington poses for a portrait on the Rollins College campus.
Photo by Scott Cook.

The lifelong learner was one of the oldest students to graduate from Rollins.

Vivian Carrington ’17, who graduated from Rollins at the age of 76, died on Monday, April 22. She was 78.

Carrington became one of the oldest students to graduate from Rollins when she earned a degree in communications from the Hamilton Holt School in 2017. Ms. Vi, as Carrington was best known on campus, became a popular figure among Rollins’ faculty, staff, and students.

“Vivian’s strengths included her grace, always-present smile, and her determination in overcoming any obstacle—medical or academic—that crossed her path,” says Coleen Palmer, Carrington’s academic advisor at the Holt school. “She continuously searched for volunteer and leadership opportunities to serve—all while maintaining her academic rigor and scholarships.”

Born in Georgia in 1940 and raised in Orlando, Carrington was the first female African American lifeguard hired by the City of Orlando. Over the next 50 years, she went on to teach swimming to thousands of children at the YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, Frontline Outreach, John Long Memorial Pool, and many city pools.

In 1982, Carrington received a degree from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, Georgia, and went on to spend 24 years in that career, while still teaching swimming on the side. She attended a bible seminary at United Bible College and received her doctorate in theology in 1991.

Among her many achievements, Carrington received awards such as a Trailblazer award from the Association to Preserve African-American Society, History and Tradition; a Finer Womanhood Award from Zeta Phi Beta sorority; and a Jones High School Centennial Distinguished Service Award in sports.

A memorial service will be held in Carrington’s honor on Saturday, May 4, at 11 a.m. in Knowles Memorial Chapel.


Read More

March 27, 2024

Rollins Inducts 24 New Members of Phi Beta Kappa

On March 19, the Rollins chapter of Phi Beta Kappa—known as Theta Chapter of Florida—inducted its third class of members.

March 27, 2024

Florida's Chaplain Bill Addressed

Kathryn Norsworthy, a professor in the Rollins graduate counseling program, weighs in on a bill that would allow chaplains to serve as school guidance counselors.

March 21, 2024

Walking Tour Celebrates Mister Rogers

Jo Marie Hebeler, associate director of External Relations, discusses the annual five-stop self-guided Mister Rogers Walking Tour that honors Rollins’ most famous alumnus, Fred Rogers.