The Sandspur

Issue date: 10/16/06 Section: Life & Times

Media Credit: Laura Cole Thomas Grubbs, pictured here with Kelly Castino, will be attending Homecoming this year.

Media Credit: Courtesy of Thomas Grubbs Thomas Grubbs as a young child.

Homecoming is coming up soon and generations of alumni and current students are going to come together to celebrate Rollins College! This is an opportunity for students to broaden their understanding of the past by getting to meet with former alumni. While it is only a few weeks away, it is time to reflect back on the way you want to be remembered and how you want people to view you. And while you have the opportunity over the next few weeks, talk to someone that went here a long time ago and ask them about their experiences and any advice they would give. It will help you at the same time it is helping them.

One alumnus who will be visiting is Thomas Grubbs, '56. Alumni such as Grubb's provide a view of Rollins intrinsically different from a current student's view of Rollins.

When he began his studies at Rollins in 1954, the total enrollment was less than 600 people. As of 2005, the total enrollment for Rollins is approximately 1700. One thing that many students at Rollins had the privilege of enjoying in the 1950's was The Pelican on New Smyrna Beach. The Pelican was a place where students could go to hang out on the weekends. Also, on Fox day, there were games played by everyone on Mills Lawn. According to Grubbs, "Rollins had a small town atmosphere, where everyone knew everyone. When classes changed, the campus echoed with greetings and banter. Now, the campus is virtually silent...they are on their cell phones."

Grubbs was a Theatre major that earned both the Theatre Arts Achievement Award and the Pi Beta Phi Dramatics Prize as recognition for his successful participation in the plays and working backstage at the Annie Russell Theatre.

Born in 1928, Grubbs lived without electricity on his family's farm until 1936. Nowadays, it is difficult to imagine living without electricity. Grubbs' family owned a farm in Ohio then later moved to Salem. At 17, Grubbs enlisted in the Army and served in Germany. Following his discharge, he attended Kent State University on the GI Bill. The GI Bill provided money for veterans to attend college, buy homes, and start up businesses. When the Korean War broke out in 1950, Grubbs reenlisted in the Army, attaining the highest enlisted position at the time, Sergeant Major. Then, during a furlough to Central Florida in March of 1954, Tom discovered Rollins College. His military career finally came to an end, and he joined the Rollins family. Today, Grubbs still visits with veterans, even volunteering to help.

Grubbs occasionally visits Rollins also. Just a few weeks ago, Grubbs enjoyed watching "Annie Get Your Gun" at the Annie Russell theatre. He also plans to attend several of the Homecoming festivities the week of October 23. Grubbs would like to say to current students at Rollins, "Allow the Rollins experience to wrap around you; allowing you to learn, allowing you to develop as an individual, allowing you to serve beyond your personal boundaries. You may think you have limits, but Rollins helps you expand those limits."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools