Issue 20 • Volume 125 Thursday, Mar. 28, 2019 www.thesandspur.org
The Sandspur celebrates its 125th anniversary
Rollins’ student newspaper explores history, traditions since its founding in 1894 By Maura Leaden
mleaden@rollins.edu
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Courtesy of Rollins College Archives
n a warm December morning in 1894, a literary journal called The Sand-Spur, decorated with a cover featuring a small yet mighty plant, was available at Rollins for the first time. This day marked the beginning of a 125-year tradition of The Sandspur, which as of this year, remains the oldest continuous student-run newspaper in Florida. The Sandspur’s motto began as ‘Stick to it,’ and while hundreds of campus clubs have come and gone, that is exactly what the student writers and editors have done. With over 2,400 issues published to date, the paper has undergone immense transformations, starting as a journal, becoming a magazine, and evolving into a weekly
newspaper focused on investigative reporting. When it started in 1894, the publication was a triannual literary journal filled with poems and short creative essays; all three
INSIDE Page 5 ‣ Letter from the Editor:
Anniversary commemorations
editions could be purchased for only 75 cents. The editorial published in this edition by the publication’s first Editor-in-Chief, Henry Buckingham Mowbray, has gone on to be an iconic “legend” for the paper: “Unassuming yet almighty, sharp and pointed, well-rounded yet many sided, assiduously tenacious, just as gritty and energetic as its name implies, victorious in single combat and therefore without a peer, wonderfully
attractive, and extensive in circulation, all these, will be found upon investigation, to be among the extraordinary qualities of The SandSpur.” In only its first year, it assumed an influential role on campus. In 1895, the paper was instrumental in changing Rollins’ school colors from rose and pink to blue and gold. An editorial published said that “royal blue suggests kingship, power and the highest and deepest in character and aims; the gold stands for ‣ See HISTORY Page 4
Sandspur staffer looks over a freshly-printed issue from 1954.
McKean’s pending demolition restructures on-campus housing
Matthew Weiner elected as next Student Government president
College increases dorm room capacity, offers Weiner, with Sydney Brown as VP, will lead SGA in 2019-2020 housing exemptions to make space for freshmen By Heather Borochaner
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hborochaner@rollins.edu
n an effort to advance the timeline of various construction projects and provide students with safer living conditions, McKean Hall will now be demolished in May. The loss of McKean, which was built in 1962 and houses approximately 220 freshman students, will significantly reduce space for on-campus living. To alleviate this issue, Rollins is looking to its other residential halls to see which dorms may be converted to hold extra students. Elizabeth Hall, which historically houses upperclassmen and has the largest doubles on campus, will become a dorm solely for first-year students, and its rooms will be converted to hold
three students rather than the typical two. The living cost for these triples will be reduced by $2,000 at an annual rate of $6,500 per person. The Sutton Place Apartments will be converted to hold five students rather than four, reducing the annual cost of the
INSIDE Page 3 ‣ Information on new residence hall.
room from $11,000 to $9,000. Each apartment has two rooms, so the larger room will house three students. The Resident Assistants of Sutton will be moved into doubles instead of each having their own single room. ‣ See MCKEAN Page 7
ONLINE ‣ Learn more about the
winners of the SGA election Kira Bernhard
Weiner and Brown were elected after voting closed on March 26 at 4:30 p.m.
2 Established in 1894 with the following editorial:
EXECUTIVE STAFF Ellie Rushing Editor-in-Chief Christina Fuleihan Managing Editor
CONTENT STAFF Alex Candage Head Copy Editor Siobhan Nolet David Smith Hannah Butcher Copy Editors Maura Leaden Assigning Editor Alyssa Malto Headlines Kira Bernhard Photo Editor
DESIGN DEPARTMENT Lya Dominguez Head Designer Dana Wagenhauser Pat Murray Hannah Jahosky Designer Anastasia Rooke Designer / Illustrator
WEB STAFF Kalli Joslin Neny Lairet Katie McCree
Digital Content Editors
BUSINESS & FACULTY Greg Golden
Director of Student Media
Dr. Leslie Poole Faculty Advisor Luis Diego Student Media Graduate Assistant
ADVERTISING
Contact: studentmedia@rollins.edu
The Sandspur • March 28, 2019
First woman president continues legacy Throughout her term, Rita Bornstein oversaw expansion and empowered women By Heather Borochaner
hborochaner@rollins.edu
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s a young girl, Rita Bornstein flipped through textbooks and found images of women baking and posing with the latest kitchen utensil. Turning the page, she contrastly found photos of men donning tuxedos while discussing their extensive business accomplishments and education. While some young women were brainwashed by the stereotypes and sexism of twentieth-century America, Bornstein was not—she tossed aside those standards and took a liking to academia. Bornstein went on to earn her doctoral degree and eventually became Rollins’ first and only woman president. “I knew that some people would have to learn that women could be good leaders and good decision makers,” she said. “I worked hard at the job, did not respond to disparaging comments, and made some important changes at Rollins.” From 1990 to 2004, Bornstein led the College, pushing for gender equality through the enforcement of Title IX, building and renovating many buildings, purchasing more property, and raising the institution’s standards for admission. She brought Rollins’ regional ranking up six spots, and in 2004 the U.S. News and World Report named Rollins the No. 1 regional university in the South. The College has held this ranking ever since. Since Bornstein was a little girl, she was interested in higher education, but never thought she would become a college president. “I wanted to make a difference for young people and open up the world for them. It seems like the most important responsibility one could have.”
Courtesy of Rollins College Archives
Rita Bornstein was the president Rollins College from 1990-2004.
Born in New York City but living much of her life as a Florida resident, Bornstein earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees in English literature from Florida Atlantic University and earned a Ph.D. in educational leadership from the University of Miami. She also directed the U.S. Office of Education Technical Assistance Center at the University of Miami to implement Title IX and gender equity policies. Growing up, Bornstein said that Eleanor Roosevelt was the source of her own inspiration. “She was such a strong woman. I admired her sense of obligation to making life better for all and her indefatigable efforts to improve people’s chances to succeed.” Bornstein’s accomplishments can be accredited to personal empowerment and what she believes was a huge shift in society following the establishment of the Title IX act in 1972, which forbade discrimination based on sex in any federally funded educational program or activity. During her time as president, she also raised the standards of the campus, from faculty evaluation to student testing scores. Bornstein proved to have incredibly savvy business and fundraising skills. She received numerous lifetime achievement awards for her work, from nonprofits to journals. She also wrote books such as “Legitimacy in the Academic Presidency: From Entrance to Exit,” and other publi-
cations on presidential succession, planning, and fundraising for higher education. She also directed multiple corporations throughout her career, such as Tupperware Brands, Barnett Banks, Inc., and NationsBank. Due to her Campaign For Rollins fundraiser, the college raised a total of $160.2 million, providing support for academic programs, scholarships, faculty, and facilities. “When I came in 1990, I found that people had ambitious dreams for the future but no money to implement those dreams,” she said. B o r n stein’s leadership changed that. Under her presidency, the College’s endowment quintupled. She had similar financial success when she was vice president at the University of Miami before she came to Rollins, where she led one of the most successful fundraiser campaigns in the history of American higher education. At the end of her presidency, the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce named her ‘Citizen of the Decade.’ Bornstein recalled her time at Rollins fondly and believed it opened new opportunities for women on campus. “I had a pretty wonderful presidency and I loved every minute of it,” she said. “I think that because of my presidency, it encouraged other women to have a voice.” Like many students, her fondest memories of the campus come from the tradition of Fox
“Put up your fists and fight for what you want. Don’t let anyone walk over you.”
Day. She recalled when her and her husband had taken the day off together and joined everyone back at campus for the picnic, getting the opportunity to talk to students in a casual way, which she did not always get the chance to do. “I loved meeting interesting people,” she said. Women’s History Month means a lot to Bornstein, and she believes it is especially important to keep celebrating it now with so many more women advancing in society, citing the multiple women recently elected into Congress. Bornstein believes it was Title IX in 1972 that has now allowed so many women to reach their full potential. “Before then, people didn’t remember the achievements of women; at that time, there was only opportunities for men. Women had to be equal, but men had all the advantages and I remember text books all showed women baking and men out in the world doing and making things,” she said. “We women who worked to bring Title IX into law changed everything and that’s the reason so many women today are in the military, law school, medical school, sports, and are some of the most accomplished people in the world,”she said. For young women struggling to seek leadership positions, Bornstein said to “put up your fists and fight for what you want. Don’t let anyone walk over you.” After leaving Rollins, Bornstein has continued to be active in the Winter Park and Orlando community, serving on the Boards of Directors for the United Arts of Central Florida and the Dr. Phillips Orlando Performing Arts Center. She is currently recovering from influenza.
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The Sandspur • March 28, 2019
New residential hall to be finished by Fall 2020
Juniors and seniors will have access to amenities like a pool, sauna, eateries, and more By Heather Borochaner and Ellie Rushing
hborochaner@rollins.edu erushing@rollins.edu
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ollins now plans to complete the new Lakeside Residential Complex in time for the 2020 Fall semester. This five-floor residence hall will contain all single rooms with private bathrooms and personal laundry units. It will also feature a community cafe, gym, pool, and grocery store. But many aspects of this project remain somewhat of a mystery to students. Who can live there? How much will it cost? What will the rooms actually look like? The Sandspur sat down with Leon Hayner, senior director of Residential Life & Explorations, and Meghan Harte Weyant, dean of students, to learn more about the upcoming project. How many students will the new building house? Who will get to live there? The residence hall will hold 125 units, or apartments, with 500 beds. It will be available for junior and senior housing on a priority basis, similar to the way that housing is offered now: graduation status, GPA, and collegiate standing. Hayner said students opting to live in five-person rooms in Sutton and sophomores who live off campus next year would have priority. “We feel like they’re making a choice that’s helping the college for one year by living off-campus, and we hope that they will come back, so we’re giving them that opportunity,” said Hayner. What is the layout structure of the rooms? Each apartment is sized at approximately 1,400 square feet, which will hold four rooms and four bathrooms—some may be two bedrooms and two bathrooms, depending on their location in the building. Each room will have a full-size bed, unlike the twin beds in previous apartments. The apartments will also contain a living room, laundry machines, and a full kitchen with a table. Hayner said that counter tops will probably be granite. “We’re building it very intentionally as a place juniors and seniors want to live with a lot of privacy but also a lot of community space so students can go to
the first floor to meet, organize, and write,” said Weyant. “There will be a little grocery area where students can pick up supplies for dinner and then go up to their kitchen and make them. Our hope is that we’re building a concept that really has what students want.” What other amenities will the building have? The building is being divided into two sections—one section where McKean is currently located will just be dorm rooms, and the other section, which is significantly larger, will be divided in half and incorporate a dormitory wing and a public space wing. The public space wing will be filled with lots of amenities, including offices and eateries. There will be a pool in the center of the two sections, a sauna, a full workout facility with studios for yoga, and a large locker room. Additionally, there will be a coffee shop, full kitchen, and multiple lounges and seating areas. Res. Life and the Center for Inclusion & Campus Involvement will be housed here, as will the Lucy Cross Center, the office that promotes gender equity on campus. How much will it cost to live there? Hayner and Weyant said that the cost to live in the new building will not exceed the current cost to live in Sutton Place Apartments. The typical Sutton two bedroom and two bathroom apartment, which houses four students, costs $11,000 per year. The cost of a Sutton apartment with single bedrooms is $12,000 per year. They have not yet set a specific price. “We don’t want to open an amazing new facility and have it be priced at a rate that is unattainable for students,” said Weyant. “That’s at the forefront of our conversation right now. I feel really confident we’ll be able to bring it in as a price that’s about where Sutton is right now. It wouldn’t make sense to open Lakeside and have it be far more than what Sutton costs when we know students are already saying they’d love to live in Sutton but it’s a stretch for them right now.” Hayner said that the pricing will not be higher than anything they currently offer.
Courtesy of Student Affairs
The new residential hall, which should be completed by August 2020, will feature a pool and workout facility among other amenities.
When will the project be completed? The College hopes to have the project finished and ready for students to move into by August 2020. Weyant said that if amenities like the pool and workout facility are not finished, then stu-
dents would still be able to move in. Their goal is to make sure the apartments are all completed and ready for the 2020-21 school year. What will the building be named?
According to Hayner, a name has not yet been dedicated to the building. For now, it is referred to as “the Lakeside Residence Hall,” but it will receive a traditional name similar to other dorm buildings once it is built.
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HISTORY Continued from page 1 unchanging value and real, substantial worth.” Although the original Sandspur showcased aspiring poets, 1915 saw the rise of the broadsheet print fashion. The staff ditched the literary booklets and flowery language of the nineteenth century and started printing sheets of news. Coverage has evolved overtime, including a range of topics expected on a college campus. In the twentieth century, the staff would occasionally reprint editorials from other newspapers. In 1963, The Sandspur reprinted an editorial titled, ‘Fraternity Bias: Winds of Change’ (Vol. 68 No. 16) from the Anti-Defamation League in New York. This editorial suggested faults with Fraternity and Sorority Life, yet the newspaper did not commit to questioning fraternities’ place at Rollins. “The views and opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by the Sandspur,” is printed at the bottom of the page. Fast forward fifty years, and in March 2017, two articles concerning the suspension of all fraternity life were published in The Sandspur yet again. One was printed by a student writer, and another published by an administrator, explaining its decision to keep fraternity life a part of Rollins. Another popular topic throughout the decades were complaints regarding food quality in ‘the Beanery,’ which is what students used to call the dining hall. In 1970, Vol. 76, No. 20 issue, an unidentified author writes, “this past week an unusual amount of groans emanat-
The Sandspur • March 28, 2019 ed from students concerned with the quality of Beanery food that was being placed before them.” Yet, the author goes on to take a stand to defend the workers of ‘the Beanery.’ There had been a fire in the kitchen two weeks prior and they were still working in strained conditions due to the lack of equipment. Investigative reporting increased over time. In a 1992 issue, an entire spread was dedicated to the substance abuse issues occurring on campus (Vol. 98, Issue 21). One article in that issue was titled, ‘Alcohol...What the hell is
“More than once we have awakened in the middle of the night dreaming of miles and miles of white space that had to be filled.”
that?’ by Erin Tierney and discussed the fallacy behind the schools’ awareness week named ‘Alcohol Awareness Week.’ She thought it should be called ‘Alcohol Indifference Week’ based on the abundant presence of it in student life. Another ‘wake-up call’ article titled, ‘So...you think it can’t happen to you?’ by an anonymous writer, recounted the student’s experience totalling their car after driving drunk. Substance abuse is still an issue on campus today. In 2018, our staff published our own in-
vestigative piece on the abuse of Xanax on campus. The experience of pouring over old articles from over a century worth of evolution creates a sense of rich history and tradition at Rollins. Especially regarding Sandspur staff, there were numerous generations of dedicated student writers, editors, and designers. Their experiences and fears are familiar to the current staff, since the paper has always been student-run. These ‘Sandspurians,’ dedicate countless hours to the fulfillment of this paper, which is why it is still operating 125 years later. In a final letter from the editor, Aurora McKay, Editor-in-Chief from 1929-1930, wrote about the dedication of her staff and her appreciation for a committed student audience. Reading her words was all too familiar when she wrote, “More than once we have awakened in the middle of the night dreaming of miles and miles of white space that had to be filled” (Vol. 23, No. 26). She also wrote the importance of a student audience helping out the next editor. For the best advancement of the next editor’s paper, she asked students to provide support and interest. “Give them to him, for every week he will be devoting long hours and his chief interest to The Sandspur with neither remunerative nor scholastic credit reward,” McKay wrote. Although our staff today is currently paid, each member commits more hours than required by our pay stub. Like our predecessors, we greatly appreciate your support and interest, as well. Long live The Sandspur. Here is to 125 more great years.
Courtesy of Rollins College Archives
(Top Right) In 1936, The Sandspur assumed its role producing weekly news stories. (Middle Right) A 1950 edition of the paper brings student involvement to life by featuring students in swimsuits. (Bottom Right) Sandspur staffers laying type in a print shop around 1953. (Bottom Left) A photo of The Sandspur staff in 1920 was featured in the Tomokan, the former campus yearbook, every year.
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The Sandspur • March 28, 2019
Anniversary honors commitment to student journalism The Sandspur’s birthday celebrates 125 years of freedom of speech, campus accountability
Ellie Rushing, Editor-in-Chief By Ellie Rushing
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erushing@rollins.edu
f you take a tourist to a Florida beach, you may warn them of sandspurs, the small inconspicuous plants producing irritating burrs that latch onto skin or fur. Stubborn and reluctant, they cannot be removed without being addressed carefully and thoughtfully. Students and administrators may mention the same word to
visitors exploring Rollins’ campus, but they are not talking about the plant—they mean the College’s student newspaper, which as of 2019, has served its community for 125 years. The Sandspur has embodied everything about its modeled plant since its founding in 1894. Our student staff, otherwise called “Sandspurians,” enjoy covering Rollins students’ and staffs’ experiences. When we learn about issues or injustices,
we stick to them, acting like annoying little burrs until the issues are properly addressed. This quasquicentennial is more than just an anniversary. It is a commitment to student journalism, freedom of speech, institutional accountability and success. Student newspapers are the backbone of America’s higher education system, and ours became the core of Rollins when it was founded. The Sandspur has assumed a new and improved role on campus. If you ask my staffers, they will tell you getting here was far from easy—it required Sunday and Wednesday night workshops, late-night phone calls, intense review sessions, and physical audits. All of this was necessary to bring The Sandspur’s journalistic excellence up to a higher standard and give the campus the information it desperately needs. I hope that you have noticed our work. Student journalists do not ask for much, especially recognition—we write stories and
pursue investigations for the good of the community—but on this major anniversary, our staff deserves it. If you have not noticed it, I have. We broke stories about the inequalities facing our women’s softball team, which did not have a locker room and was forced to watch as the baseball team’s field and locker room underwent a multi-million dollar renovation. As of this January, the team now has a locker room and a safe space to convene. We dove into the various accessibility issues plaguing our historic campus and how they affect students with disabilities. Now, the college is hiring a firm to audit the campus and see what can be improved. Students from the Lucy Cross Center were concerned when various positions for the women’s center were being eliminated. We uncovered the changes, and now a council is creating a task force to evaluate where gender equity stands within the College.
These are just three examples that stand out, and every byline and story in between holds meaning. Yet, there is still so much that we have missed. With an editorial staff of approximately eight full-time students, we cannot get to everything. That pains us, but we are working on expansion and connecting with the corners of the campus we have not reached. It is also worth noting that this coverage and impact not only represents our staff’s work, but the College’s ability to respond to students’ needs. The stories are one thing, but the fact that change was instituted afterwards is another. At the end of it, our staff could not be here without all of your support. Thank you for reading, supporting, and trusting us to be your campus news source for the past 125 years. The Sandspur will continue to reach for excellence and stick to any issue that comes its way.
Through the years: A brief history of The Sandspur ‣
December 20, 1894 The first issue of The SandSpur is printed, built by a staff of only 11 students. It is a small, 30-page journal published tri-annually with creative literary stories about the campus. Iconic campus names like Katharine Hart Lyman and Rex Ellingwood Beach line the staff list. Four members are women.
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September 20, 2002 The first full-color front page is published with an honorary tribute to the victims of Sept. 11, 2001.
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2017 The Sandspur transitions from a tabloid-style paper with a design on the cover to a traditional cover with news stories.
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1913-1915 The publication stops publishing for a short time due to World War I and America’s restriction on paper use.
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1910 For one year, The Sandspur was an annual edition and appeared in its largest length at 108 pages. For the next two years after this, it was published monthly.
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November 20, 1915 The Sandspur begins printing again in the form of a broadsheet, traditional newspaper. It runs weekly and is distributed every Saturday with about 6-8 pages of content.
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2002 A website is created for online content called TheSandspur.org.
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The Sandspur • March 28, 2019
7 Tars to inducted into sports Hall of Fame Rollins kicks off Alumni Weekend by awarding former athletes with highest honor
Courtesy of Rollins Sports
Left to right: Chris Cerroni (‘07), Joanna Coe (‘11), Lindsay Giblin Murrell (‘09), Roshni Luthra (‘11), Marnie Mahler Codrey (‘08), Jenna Mielzynski (‘09), and Nikki Sullivan Jessee (‘99) will be honored as inductees.
By Henri Balla
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hballa@rollins.edu
cstatic, shocked, honored, proud—these are the words the seven former student athletes described when they found out they would be inducted into the Rollins Sports Hall of Fame. The inductees are from all sports, ranging in graduation years between 1999 and 2011. They include men’s soccer player Chris Cerroni (‘07), women’s golfer Joanna Coe (‘11), women’s soccer player Lindsay Giblin Murrell (‘09), women’s tennis players Roshni Luthra (‘11) and Marnie Mahler Codrey (‘08), water skier Jenna Mielzynski (‘09) and women’s basketball player Nikki Sullivan Jessee (‘99). They will join 220 former student athletes, coaches, and administrators in the highest recognition for those who have contributed to the history of Tars athletics. The ceremony, which takes place Thursday, March 28 at the Alfond Inn, is one of several events to kick off Alumni Weekend. We spoke to Jenna Mielzynski, Lindsay Giblin Murrell, Nikki Sullivan Jessee, and Roshni Luthra to discuss their time at Rollins and how it impacted their past, impacts their present, and will impact their future. Lindsay Giblin Murrell - Women’s Soccer Lindsay Giblin Murrell is the
fourth all-time top-scorer of Rollins women’s soccer. Additionally, she is fifth all-time in points scored, tied for seventh in assists, and fourth in career games. The soccer field taught her that life is unpredictable, but, as she puts it, “My response to those unpredictable moments is where I gained my control. I learned to move through those setbacks with my head up and with the motivation and drive to change my circumstances.” Relying on teammates helped Giblin learn how to listen, understand, and be a part of something bigger than herself, skills she said she still uses today to foster relationships within her community. “The best memories at Rollins were the ones shared with teammates,” she recounted. Giblin’s greatest challenge came in her final soccer season, when she was working a fulltime job, attending practices and games, taking night classes as a first-year graduate student, and planning her wedding: “Maintaining my own self-care was difficult to prioritize in the midst of so many other necessary commitments.” Nonetheless, Giblin conquered her challenges and was honored in 2009 as a First Team All-American, the Conference Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, and NSCAA South Region Player of the Year. Giblin is married to Scott Murrell, another Rollins soccer
alum. “We will on occasion check the progress of both the men’s and women’s teams,” she said. “I am so proud to see the growth that the women’s program has had since my time there. Alicia [Schuck] and the rest of the staff have done a tremendous job recruiting well-rounded student
athletes that are making their mark on Rollins’ history.” Giblin herself led the team to two Sunshine State Conference (SSC) regular season championships, one SSC Tournament title, and two NCAA appearances. Amidst the success, she has one piece of advice for the current
generation of Tars: “Take time for yourself, cultivate relationships, be present in your experiences, and breathe. It goes by fast, so enjoy it and stay true to you through the process.” ‣ See SPORTS Page 8
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The Sandspur • March 28, 2019
English professor celebrates 50th year teaching
Dr. Maurice “Socky” O’Sullivan’s friends and colleagues mark his half-century of teaching by sharing their thoughts of him By Caroline Klouse
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cklouse@rollins.edu
r. Maurice O’Sullivan’s office is covered in papers and posters—not a single corner of his wooden desk can be seen. Walking into the room is overwhelming at first, but this is the environment that has supported O’Sullivan during his tenure as a professor, which has now reached its 50th year. Forty-four of those years have been spent at Rollins. O’Sullivan, professor of English, and Kenneth Curry, professor of literature, started at Rollins in 1975 and has filled his half century teaching with controversial conversation. His courses transform students’ writing and appreciation for literature, and he constantly celebrates his Irish heritage. As a tribute to his anniversary, The Sandspur reached out to various cohorts and peers and asked them to contribute words and impressions of years working alongside O’Sullivan.
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MCKEAN Continued from page 1 Fraternity and sorority houses, which typically contains single rooms, will also hold more doubles, and, in order to hit the maximum capacity limit, members will be allowed to invite friends of their organization to live in the building. If those dorms are still not completely filled after that, then other students will be invited. “We want those buildings filled 100 percent, perhaps even more than that,” said Leon Hayner, senior director of Residential Life & Explorations. Another option now allows sophomores to live off-campus. This is typically against Rollins’ housing requirement, which states that students have to live on campus for two years. Rising sophomores may apply to live off campus next year, the estimated number being around 50-100. “Numbers are not fully set just yet,” said Hayner. “We don’t want the whole sophomore class living off campus.” If there are more applicants
Dr. Emily Russell, associate professor of English and associate dean of curriculum: “Dr. O’Sullivan is a towering presence on campus. He can redirect an entire discussion with just a ‘ha!’ in a crowded faculty meeting. His dedication to Rollins and to literature are an inspiration.” Dr. Jana Mathews, associate professor of Medieval literature: “Dr. O’Sullivan has been teaching students at Rollins for longer than most of the other professors in the English Department have been alive. Minus the messy office and penchant for wearing Irish kilts on special occasions, Dr. O’Sullivan is exactly the kind of professor that I want to be when I grow up: namely, one who is endlessly entrepreneurial in his scholarship and course design; no-nonsense yet compassionate in his mentorship; and, most importantly, fiercely dedicated to his students and committed to their success. While Socky may be the most senior faculty member (in terms of years taught) at Rollins, what I appreciate and respect most
than exemptions, Hayner’s office will start looking at GPA, conduct records, and credit hours, similar to the way that priority housing is already allocated. Sophomores will not have the three-year on-campus living requirement, but incoming freshman will, since the residential hall will be completed by their junior year. According to Hayner, increasing the number of students living in residential buildings does not break the safety codes, which he said have been double-checked according with these changes. The original plan, said Hayner, was to build around McKean so that no beds would be lost during class time, and to offer a discounted rate to students who chose to live there. However, that plan had many flaws, Hayner explained, and he became concerned with the safety risks and quality of life for students due to the construction “It started becoming abundantly clear that that was not going to be what was best for students,” said Hayner. There would have been a lot of noise from the construction, as
about him is that he hasn’t used his privileged status as an excuse to power down. If anything, he is more busy and engaged than ever.” Dr. Wenxian Zhang, Professor and Head of Archives and Special Collections: “Dr. O’Sullivan has been an outstanding teacher in classrooms, a well accomplished scholar, an outspoken faculty member, and a mentor to countless students throughout his distinguished career at Rollins. A few years back I had the privilege of collaborating with him on a research project, I have been deeply impressed by his extensive knowledge of Florida history and literature, and I greatly appreciate his professional guidance and support. I feel we are a thriving community of learners because of people like Dr. O’Sullivan and other dedicated professors at Rollins.”
over 25 years, he taught literature and I taught history—and occasionally he would drift over into history. I said to him one day [that] I never heard that story about Florida. He said:, ‘Oh, I take the Irish approach to history?’ I said, ‘What’s that?’ He said: ‘The Irish believe there’s no story that cannot be improved upon.’”
Dr. Jack Lane, Weddell Professor of American History Emeritus and College Historian: “Dr. O’Sullivan and I taught a course on Florida Studies for
Dr. Kathyrn Norsworthy, Professor of Counseling: “In addition to his extensive and well-respected scholarship and leadership in, for example, Florida Studies, I always t h i n k of Dr. O’Sullivan’s passion for his Irish identity and roots. For example, I loved the pipes performance and that he wore
well as cranes circling the building and lifting materials over it. Also, students would have been forced to walk through construction tunnels to get to and from the building. “Some people had already been complaining about noise like trucks and beeping,” said Meghan Harte Weyant, dean of students. “The thought of students having to live in that perimeter—it would be hard to
sleep, hard to study, [and] the living experience was going to be really difficult.” Originally, the new Lakeside Residential Complex would have been completed in phases, with about half the rooms finished in August 2020 and the other half by December 2020. Now, the College hopes to have the entire complex completed by August 2020. The new plan will save on
his kilt at his 50-year teaching anniversary celebration. Thank you, Socky, for all the ways you have put Rollins on the map and helped make us the great liberal arts institution that we are.” Dr. Mike Gunter, Director of Holt International Affairs: “Hats off to Dr. O’Sullivan! It’s pretty special to have someone of his stature as a colleague, one whose stunning 50 years within the Academy are only surpassed by the continued passion he brings to both the classroom and his scholarship. Look no further than past and present students, as well as fellow professors, to see his life-changing impacts here at Rollins.”
Courtesy of Rollins College Archives Dr. O’Sullivan in his early years as a professor.
construction costs and avoid “logistical nightmares,” said Hayner. In the scenario that the Lakeside Residential Complex is not completed in time, then the adapted housing plan will continue until it is finished. “We’ve committed full steam,” Hayner said. “I think we have a good plan in place, [and] the project team is very confident they can deliver the full project.”
Rachel Stern
The parking lot behind McKean Hall is decorated with cranes and construction materials. The 57-year-old building will be demolished in May.
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HALL OF FAMERS Continued from page 6 Nikki Sullivan Jessee Women’s Basketball Jessee has little trouble pinpointing a main takeaway from her time as a member of the women’s basketball team: “Perseverance. I learned to persevere, and that tough times create strength. It’s how you use those tough times that creates growth,” she said, while admitting that learning is a continuous process. “It took me until my senior year to realize that.”
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A native of Lakeland, Fla., Jessee transferred to Rollins from the University of Florida and immediately grabbed Second Team All-SSC honors in her sophomore year, followed by an honorable mention as a junior and First Team as a senior. Despite her amazing performance, it was
The Sandspur • March 28, 2019 not always easy. “Dealing with the pressure I put on myself after transferring from the University of Florida was a great challenge. After I just learned to do my best and leave it on the court after each game, I relaxed and enjoyed it.” Jessee dominated the court, as demonstrated by the fact that she is the ninth all-time top-scorer in Rollins’ women’s basketball history, with 1,249 points, averaging 15.2 points per game. Nonetheless, when asked about her favorite part of the experience, she said, “My best memories were with my teammates, especially during the Christmas break when school was out but we were still in season. No one was on campus but the women’s and men’s basketball teams. We had a blast!” After a successful professional stint in England, Jessee returned to Florida, where she built a reputation as a coach. She took the Lynn University Fighting Knights to a new level before joining her husband at University of Tampa. Having enjoyed success throughout, Jes-
see then took charge of Saint Leo University’s program, but she is now the head coach at Lakeland Christian School. “Commit entirely to developing yourself as a basketball player, whether it’s the physical aspect, such as healthy eating, strength training or just simply get in the gym and work on your game daily,” advised Jessee to the current generation of Tars. “It’s 4 years of your life. Don’t waste it.” Jenna Mielzynski - Water Ski The SSC is the most academically demanding conference in the country and Jenna Mielzynski is a prime example of how excellence inside and outside of classroom go hand in hand. Chosen twice as Rollins’ Female Athlete of the Year, Mielzynski was also the class of 2009 Valedictorian. “It had always been a dream of mine to, one day, be inducted, so the fact that that dream has become a reality is truly indescribable,” she said. She came to Winter Park
from Ontario, Canada at only 17 years old. “To this day, friends still tease me about the fact that my parents had to sign and send a permission form for me to attend class outings during the first semester,”she said.
“It had always been a dream of mine to, one day, be inducted, so the fact that that dream has become a reality is truly indescribable.” That year had a bit of a nightmarish start, as she initially struggled to balance her commitments. “I realized early on that this was not a sustainable or fun
way for me to spend my 4 years at Rollins, as I was already experiencing burnout in my first semester,” she said. After adapting more efficient studying and focusing strategies, Mielzynski was good to go. She also credits her time as a student athlete with teaching her how to treat people fairly and compassionately, set goals, and be accountable. That same year, she came third at the Water Ski World Games. Mielzynski was the individual national champion at the 2007 NCWSA National Championship, and came second in jumps at the 2009 Games. However, her success would have been harder to achieve without her support system: “I’ll never forget how my coach, Marc, and his wife, Cindy, took me under their wing when I first started at Rollins and made sure that I had a family away from home.” Being almost 1500 miles away from home encouraged Mielzynski “to form the most meaningful, long-lasting relationships imaginable. For these, I will always be grateful.”