Toggle Menu
News >

The Cornwell Era

August 05, 2025

By Audrey St. Clair ’03

An illustration of the Rollins College Campus
Photo by Oksana Drachkovska.

As President Grant Cornwell closes out a remarkable decade at Rollins, we reflect on his transformational leadership and the legacy of impact that will echo across campus for generations to come.

The mark of great leaders is so much about how they lead themselves. Throughout the past 10 years, President Grant Cornwell has led both himself and Rollins with strategic vision, depth of thought, and a whole lot of heart. He has cultivated a campus culture of kindness, curiosity, and community—a place fueled by the liberal arts ethos, a commitment to academic rigor, and the belief in the power of relationships.

This special collection of stories chronicles the indelible impact of the Cornwell presidency. Under his leadership, Rollins has achieved record enrollments and national recognition for everything from the classroom experience and student support to academic and athletic excellence. Purpose-built spaces like Kathleen W. Rollins Hall and Lakeside Neighborhood have reimagined campus to better prepare students for meaningful lives and productive careers. And all the while, President Cornwell and his wife, Peg, have inspired people through action and reinvigorated the campus community around the importance of our mission.

A grid of images from Rollins College
Photo by Scott Cook ’24MBA.

By the Numbers

The numbers representing Grant Cornwell’s decade-long tenure as the 15th president of Rollins tell a compelling story—one of record-breaking enrollments, surging applications, and national recognition for everything from academic excellence to student support. Read story

Rollins College archway entrance to campus
Photo by Alex Stiner.

Transformative Impact

Guided by President Grant Cornwell’s vision and leadership, Rollins has reimagined campus over the past decade to deepen student engagement, expand learning opportunities, and more fully realize our mission of creating global citizens and responsible leaders. Read story

Grant and Peg Cornwell meet Rollins community members during a welcome event
Photo by Scott Cook ’24MBA.

Better Together

Rollins’ presidential power couple Grant and Peg Cornwell cultivated a campus culture that invited everyone into the conversation. Read story

Grant Cornwell
Photo by Alex Stiner.

What I’ve Learned: Grant Cornwell

As he prepared to leave office earlier this year, we asked Grant Cornwell to reflect on what he learned from his decade leading Rollins. Read story


Related News

October 27, 2025

Photos: Rollins Unveils New Tennis & Golf Center

The Rollins community gathered to celebrate the official opening of the new Tennis & Golf Center, a cutting-edge facility that will elevate the student-athlete experience and honor the College’s legacy of athletic excellence.

Photos: Rollins Unveils New Tennis & Golf Center

October 27, 2025

Rollins Breaks Ground to Complete Innovation Triangle

Rollins College’s “Innovation Triangle” in downtown Winter Park took a big step forward as ground was broken on the new Rollins Museum of Art and an adjacent leadership institute. Orlando Sentinel

Rollins Breaks Ground to Complete Innovation Triangle

October 23, 2025

Barros ’25 and Fetscherin Present Study on Perception of Virtual vs. Human Influencers

International business major Bárbara Barros ’25 and business professor Marc Fetscherin recently presented their collaborative research at the 8th International Consumer Brand Relationship Conference in Las Vegas.

Barros ’25 and Fetscherin Present Study on Perception of Virtual vs. Human Influencers