The Sandspur

Issue date: 4/14/06 Section: Life & Times

Media Credit: Courtesy of Rollins College Archives ROLLINS AT THE REGATTA: The Rollins crew team was so successful that they were able to travel to England for the Henley Royal Regatta.

Rollins College has an overwhelming amount of historical and traditional legacies not known by the majority of the student body and faculty and staff. Our past is composed of traditions, influential people, and historical events that shape today's Rollins, so unique and special than any other private institution of higher learning. The following are some of the top ten most interesting facts about Rollins history and its past.

10. Hamilton Johnson was the first man to graduate from Rollins College in 1893. This is eight years after Rollins received its first charter in 1885.

9. In the 1940's, first year students were invited to be a part of the freshman class "Sneak" Day. Rollins would provide transportation and food for these guests as they spent all day socializing and having fun. At this time, every time Rollins had a social event off campus, they would stay at a beach house owned by the school in New Smyrna Beach called the Pelican.

8. In 1974, Rollins students tried for a Guinness Book of World Records by launching a water balloon 162 feet long. That same year Lyman Hall had a major fire. 7.Until the 1960's, freshman new on campus during freshman orientation were known as Rats. During the whole orientation, these freshmen had to wear "Rat Beanies" as a symbol of their meekness.

6. In 1963, Rollins Crew Team coached by Professor U.T. Bradley, achieved advancement to the semi-finals in England's prestigious Henley Royal Regatta.

5. There have been four presidents to visit Rollins College: Cleveland, Coolidge, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Truman. Out of these four, Roosevelt and Truman actually spoke on Campus.

4. Rollins Varsity Teams before 1917 were called the Blue and Gold. But soon after 1917, the name changed to the Tars, a small naval training vessel stationed in Lake Virginia during World War 1. Our mascot in the 1950's was not the Fox of today but a miniature Mexican Burro called the "Tar Baby", a gift from President McKean. This burro was part of all weekend and weekday social events. One event in particular that everyone would party look forward to on Mills Lawn was called the "Fiesta".

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