Rollins Celebrates New Era with Service, Scholarship, and Connection

An inauguration marks an important moment in an institution’s identity. At Rollins, that moment unfolded over the course of multiple days, shaped by the people and experiences that define the College and its mission. Reflecting the College’s foundational commitments to academic excellence, service, leadership, and community, the events served as both a celebration and statement of purpose. Drawing from President Brooke Barnett’s inaugural address—where she pledged to focus on students, champion faculty scholarship, and strengthen community ties—the moments of celebration and connection offered a shared vision of how Rollins prepares students to lead meaningful lives and productive careers.

Life is for Service

Service is a defining value of a Rollins education. In anticipation of the inauguration, the Day of Service offered a meaningful opportunity for the Rollins community to come together and honor this central pillar of our mission. In partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank and United Against Poverty, Tars helped pack 540 boxes, assemble over 11,000 meals, and support the organizations’ grocery and thrift stores, demonstrating the tangible impact of collection action.

Academic Excellence in Action

The Scholarship Showcase highlighted the intellectual rigor and curiosity at the heart of Rollins. Featuring the work of students, including collaborations with faculty mentors and Bonner Leaders capstone research, projects covered everything from studies of self-compassion to analyses of political instability to explorations of art therapy’s impact on mental health. Collectively, they represented a rich body of scholarship grounded in real-world problems and committed to community impact.