My Rollins Gateway: Down to a Science
Valedictorian Josephine Spiegelberg ’20 grew up in a family of physicists, but her Rollins experience empowered her to weave any subject matter into her research. Now she’s ready to change the world.
My Rollins Gateway: Ready for Anything
As an incoming student, Shannon Sullivan ’20 feared anything less than perfect grades and perfect plans. Today, she views change as inevitable—and as her ally for life.
My Rollins Gateway: Breaking Boundaries
You wouldn’t know what Alexis Meeks ’16 does at AdventHealth by looking at her title: product manager for the Project Fulcrum Team. Her work is always changing, and that fits her perfectly.
What I’ve Learned: Madison Kress ’20
The Hamilton Holt School’s 2020 Outstanding Graduating Senior forged a unique path through Rollins that exemplifies a sense of purpose and service.
The Perfect Blend
Jakobi Bonner ’20 ’21MBA strikes the ideal balance between athlete, scholar, and leader, and he couldn’t have done it without help from his mentors both on and off the court.
My Rollins Gateway: Seismic Scholar
Armed with rigorous lab work, extensive research experience, and five prestigious scholarships, Lauren Neldner ’20 is ready to make the world a safer place.
Alumni Success
My Rollins Gateway: No Limits
How veteran and business management major Tamer Elkhouly ’19 excelled in the Army, matured as a Rollins transfer student, and landed on a leadership track in the defense industry.
My Rollins Gateway: Connecting the Dots
Lucas Hernandez ’13 is helping solve his hometown’s toughest challenges by supercharging local know-how with the technological might of one of the world’s largest companies.
Alumni Success
5 Rollins Alumni Recognized as Orlando’s 40 Under 40
Five Rollins graduates whose successes are defined by their leadership and community focus have been selected for Orlando Business Journal’s annual 40 Under 40 Awards.
Alumni Success
Success Story
As a best-selling author and a full-time librarian, Kristen Arnett ’12 is used to digging into a subject and finding her way to something new.
Evening the Odds
Adis Vila ’74 has been many things in life—a Cuban immigrant, a star pupil, a presidential staff member—and she’s not done yet.
At Home in the Wild
Tori Linder ’14 followed her passion for the environment from her home in Florida all the way to Africa—and back again.
Second Time’s the Charm
How Cristina Toppin ’21 overcame an initial setback and became the first Rollins student to attend the Harvard Kennedy School’s Public Policy Leadership Conference.
In Memory: Vivian Carrington ’17
The lifelong learner was one of the oldest students to graduate from Rollins.
What I’ve Learned: Campbell Brown ’90
The president of Old Forester is tapping into a rich history as he leads a legendary bourbon brand back to prominence.
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Shaped by Service
At Rollins, Alexandria Tomkunas ’18 discovered a passion for service and learned how to build a career out of making a difference.
A Tough Act to Follow
A year after graduating from Rollins, Kathleen Capdesuner ’17 followed a prestigious directing fellowship to New York City, where she’s helping direct Hollywood heavyweights at the Big Apple’s largest nonprofit theater.
In Memory: Joseph Nassif
Beloved teacher, director, and producer Joe Nassif ushered in an era of growth and success for Rollins’ theatre department.
Bound for Breakthroughs
When her father suffered a workplace accident, Amanda Ames ’18 found her calling in the health sciences. Now she has a full ride to pursue her PhD at the University of Michigan.
Music Lessons
Computer science professor Dan Myers’ penchant for music has played an instrumental role in his development as both a scientist and a teacher.
Alumni Success
The Sure-Handed Scientist
Julian Grundler 18’s success on the field and in the lab led to one of the nation’s top postgraduate scholarships for student-athletes and a PhD program at one of the country’s most prestigious universities.
Reclaiming Hope
When the founder and CEO of a sustainable fashion company needed a spark, she knew it was time to pursue her MBA at Rollins.
Ethos in Action
SJ Renfroe ’18 came to Rollins having never heard the term “human rights violation.” Now she’s devoting her life’s work to stopping them.
Accounting for Anything
How a degree in biology and an MBA from Rollins’ Crummer Graduate School of Business led Navreet Dhaliwal ’13 ’15MBA to a career at one of Orlando’s coolest tech startups.
Calculating Impact
Arden Baxter ’18 always loved math, but it wasn’t until coming to Rollins that she really understood the power in numbers.
Alumni Success
At Home All Over the World
When he’s at work, Pierce Neinken ’06 ’08MBA pretty much has the world at his fingertips.
The Fantastic Dr. Fuse
Rollins physics professor Chris Fuse parlayed his love of the fantastical into a career in science and now uses that passion to inspire his students.
Captain of (New) Industry
This former tennis team captain is leveraging his leadership skills to champion new technology.
The Matriarch
From first-year students to fraternity brothers, English professor Jana Mathews shares something in common with just about everyone on campus.
8 Rollins Alumni to Receive Recognition
Meet the recipients of the 2018 Alumni Achievement, Young Alumni Achievement, and Alumni Service awards.
What I’ve Learned: Fred Lauten ’75 ’76MBA
A proponent of social media in the judicial system, this chief justice also embraces the value of a liberal arts education.
Alumni Success
Shelter from the Storm
Elise Letanosky ’07 has dedicated the past decade to helping people in global hot spots marred by armed conflict and natural disasters.
Alumni Success
Mayor of Space Town
How Rollins’ first computer helped launch David Schechter ’65’s more than 30-year career at NASA.
Change Agent
Rollins’ new faculty director of the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub is dedicated to helping his students see the world differently.
Alumni Success
Engineering Her Opportunity
First-generation college graduate Grace Soto ’17 forged a path to success marked by hard work and a passion for community and service.
Alumni Success
Fashioning His Future
How Phillip Denizard ’16 turned a simple class project into a career at one of the world’s top fashion brands.
Alumni Success
Spencer Confirmed as Secretary of the Navy
Richard V. Spencer ’76 is the new head of the Department of the Navy.
In Memory: Winifred “Wynee” Warden ’45 ’12H
The philanthropist's generosity impacted generations of Rollins students across virtually every dimension of campus life, from academics and athletics to the arts.
Finding a Cure for Ellie
When her daughter fell ill with a rare disease, Beth Frigola McGinn ’99 went searching for hope.
Barbesino Earns Boren Scholarship
Karina Barbesino ’19 has earned a Boren Scholarship, a prestigious award reserved for students who intend to pursue careers in federal national security.
What I’ve Learned: James Ryan ’17
The 2017 College of Liberal Arts valedictorian—one of the first graduates of Rollins’ new Public Policy and Political Economy Program—reflects on his time as a Tar.
Alumni Success
A Third Act
Sandra Jetton ’70’s journey from opera to banking to street photography, and the education that prepared her for the unexpected.
The Global Guitarist
When Ben Wozniak ’17 travels to Germany this fall on a Fulbright Scholarship, you can bet his guitar will help students learn the English language.
A Lab of Their Own
Sisters Sehar ’16 and Shaffaq ’18 Noor founded a computer lab that is helping bring the internet to women in rural Pakistan.
Ewen Named 2017 Newman Fellow
Meredith Ewen ’19 has received Campus Compact’s 2017 Newman Civic Fellowship, which recognizes and supports students committed to achieving social change.
Igniting Kids’ Imagination Through Computer Science
Rollins student and professor team up with Google on after-school project for fourth-graders.
Alumni Success
A Natural Leader
Thane Maynard ’76 developed an awe for animals and the natural world as a boy growing up in Winter Park. He’s spent his career sharing that sense of wonder with others.
Cosmopolitan Coder
Inside Shree Raj Shrestha ’17’s journey from Nepal to Rollins to one of the world’s biggest tech companies.
Alumni Success
Tomorrowland
One of the country’s fastest-growing and most progressive cities lies just beyond the borders of America’s most beautiful campus.
Alumni Success
Miracle Movement
Joe ’84 and Vicky ’85 Raymond are leading a revolution in the treatment of motor disabilities in the United States.
10 Questions with Patrick Odoyo
Rollins’ new staff director of the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub rose from poverty when someone invested in his future. Ever since, he’s been helping others bring about meaningful change—in their own lives and their communities.
In Memory: Betty Duda ’93H
The former Rollins College trustee and recipient of an honorary degree died on December 24.
Alumni Success
Alum John Kavanaugh ’83 Writes 280 Songs for Disney’s ‘Sofia’ and ‘Elena’
The Emmy Award-winning composer for “Sofia the First” and “Elena of Avalor” shares how Rollins prepared him for a remarkable career with Disney.
Student Activities/Events
Club Spotlight: Student Veterans Association
With Veterans Day upon us, there’s a new resource for Rollins students who served in the armed forces.
Alumni Success
The Perfect Fit
Looking back on a dream career that blended a love of art and theater, award-winning costume designer Maggie Delgado ’75 found the ideal mix of motherhood and showbiz.
My Rollins Gateway: Vet with a Cause
Marissa Cobuzio ’19 is pursuing a career in mission-based veterinary medicine because she loves animals—and people.
What I’ve Learned: Titian Austin ’80
When Merrill Lynch hired a young Rollins graduate nearly 40 years ago to figure out an obscure concept called “wealth management,” she settled right into a surprisingly perfect fit.
Remembering Thaddeus Seymour
The Rollins community shares their favorite memories of Rollins’ beloved 12th president, Thaddeus Seymour ’82HAL ’90H.
My Rollins Gateway: A Divine Alternative
For Madeleine Scott ’19, Rollins’ unique approach to traditional disciplines sparked dual passions in economics and religion and landed her in a master’s program at Harvard.
Remembering Norm Copeland ’50
As a lasting tribute, the Rollins community shares their favorite memories of legendary tennis player and coach Norm Copeland ’50.
My Rollins Gateway: Disarming Discourse
Karina Barbesino ’19—who has found the intersection between two seemingly disparate passions—says it all starts with language.
My Rollins Gateway: Taking Turns for Good
Real estate broker. Finance expert. A front face for Microsoft. Ahrmon Mahanpour ’20 just graduated with a resume that says he’s done it all, but he knows better.
Pathway to Progress
Micki Meyer, Lord Family Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs-Community, knows the key to navigating life—and her career—is a good map and a willingness to get diverted.
Purposeful Passion
Meet the 2020 Alumni Award winners, whose range of experience and impact speaks directly to the power of a Rollins education.