Family Weekend 2025 Schedule - the 2026 Schedule will be posted next August.
Friday, November 7, 2025
Welcome Back to “R” Neighborhood Check-In
10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Family Weekend Check-In/Registration/Information Center.
Be sure to visit us in the Archibald Granville Bush Science Center Auditorium lobby to pick up your name badge and welcome packet.
Location: Bush Auditorium lobby, Bush Science Center
Self-guided Mister Rogers Walking Tour (all weekend)
To honor our beloved alumnus, Fred Rogers '51 '74H, and explore the neighborhood that shaped Mister Rogers, take part in our 5-stop, self-guided Walking Tour of memorabilia during Family Weekend. You’ll see many special tributes, including the stunning 7 and 1/2 foot tall bronze sculpture, A Beautiful Day for a Neighbor, created by British artist Paul Day. To enhance your tour experience, download the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Walking Audio Tour.
Rollins' Monthly Market Day!
10:30-3:30 p.m.
Enjoy the monthly Rollins Market Day on Bush Lawn where you can get your coffee fix, purchase treats and eats from great food trucks, and shop local from unique boutiques to everyone’s favorite flower truck and one-of-a-kind vendor tents. Be sure to follow Market Day on Instagram @rollinsmarketday
Location: Bush Lawn
Join a special Family Weekend tour of the Rollins Museum of Art (RMA)
11 – 12 p.m.
Whether you are a long-time art enthusiast or it’s your first time visiting the RMA, you’ll enjoy exploring the fall season exhibits. The Rollins Museum of Art is the only teaching museum in the greater Orlando area, and as part of the staff-led tour, you’ll explore a selection of recent acquisitions and works from the museum’s current exhibitions.
Location: Rollins Museum of Art
Take Part In a Service Project with Rollins Catholic
12-2 p.m.
Join Rollins Catholic students for a service project and help assemble snack bags for the Ronald McDonald House.
Location: Kathleen W. Rollins Hall, Rm. 330
2nd Annual Peg Cornwell Waterski Exhibition
12 – 2 p.m.
Rollins students first took to the water in 1940, with the College officially forming a water ski team in 1948. Since then, the Tars have become a powerhouse in collegiate water skiing, consistently ranking among the top teams at national championship competitions. Join us for a special exhibition showcasing the talent, tradition, and teamwork of this storied program.
Location: Behind the Alfond Pool, beach area, in front of ski jump
Variations on a Theme: Loyalty - A Rollins Improv Players (RIP) Show
1 – 1:50 p.m.
Come relax and laugh during this Friday afternoon Rollins Improv Players (RIP) show. Celebrating its 21st year, RIP is a theatrical improvisation student troupe performing a variety of long form and short form shows. RIP creates improvisational theatre that expresses challenging and provocative subject matter and represents the dramatic and comedic aspects of student life and beyond!
Location: Bush Auditorium, Bush Science Center
Tours of the Annie Russell Theatre and the Tiedtke Theatre & Dance Centre
Tours begin at 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3 p.m.
2 – 3 p.m.
Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the historic Annie Russell Theatre and the Tiedtke Theatre and Dance Centre. From the 93-year-old “Annie” to the new Tiedtke Centre, we’ll explore our bustling classroom and production spaces, currently preparing for Let the People Sing and Expressions. Plus, we’ll share more about our happy haunts!
Location: Meet on the front steps of the Annie Russell Theatre
How Parents Can Partner in the Grad School Journey
2 – 2:45 p.m.
Stop in this info session and meet staff from Crummer Graduate School of Business, and the Hamilton Holt School who’ll update you on Rollins top-ranked graduate and 3/2 programs offered at the College and offer tips for guiding career and graduate school and share a checklist of questions to ask when evaluating grad programs.
Location: Bush Auditorium, Bush Science Center
"R" Focus on Career & Life Planning
3 – 4 p.m.
Rollins has made a commitment to developing a robust career and life planning program. The Center for Career & Life Planning is leading this initiative alongside campus partners to expand current services and programs that will integrate career planning resources into students’ overall Rollins Gateway experience. Our goals are to help students explore and clarify potential career pathways through experiential opportunities and to increase the professional marketability of our students. We hope you consider joining us for an interactive afternoon to learn more!
Location: Galloway Room (Room 300), Kathleen W. Rollins Hall
Rollins Women's Basketball Practice
3 - 5 p.m.
Stop by and watch the Women's Basketball team practice for the upcoming season!
Location: Alfond Sports Center
Rollins Culture Fest
3:30 – 5 p.m.
Culture Fest is a vibrant celebration of the traditions and global perspectives that make up the Rollins community. Hosted by student organizations, the event features cultural performances, music, food, and more. Join students for a lively afternoon where students, families, staff and faculty come together to experience and honor the richness of our campus community.
Location: Mills Lawn
Family Weekend Welcome Reception with President Brooke Barnett and Parent & Family Council
5 – 6 p.m.
Join us for complimentary light bites and a warm welcome from President Brooke Barnett, Rollins’ 16th president, along with members of the Parent & Family Council. This special reception offers a chance for parents and family members to connect and get to know one another.
Location: Rice Family Pavilion
Family Shabbat hosted by Rollins Hillel
7 p.m.
Rollins Hillel invites all for a Shabbat dinner with student-led traditional blessings and songs. Dinner is a $18 per person donation (children and Rollins students free of charge) and is open to everyone. Payment follow-up to be sent via email to those who register.
Location: Galloway Room (Room 300), Kathleen W. Rollins Hall
Rollins Volleyball vs. Univ. of Tampa
7 p.m.
Help give our Women's Volleyball team a home court advantage against rival Univ. of Tampa
Location: Alfond Sports Center
Saturday, November 8, 2025
Weekend Late Check in/Packet Pick-up
Late Check In/Packet Pick-up
9 – noon
Location: Tars Plaza |Map It
Life is for Service Event with CLCE and JUMP - EVENT IS FULL
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. *meet up is 8:15 a.m. 2nd Floor Kathleen W. Rollins Hall, Fox Den - THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL, unless you pre-registered and received follow up email.
Join the Center for Leadership & Community Engagement (CLCE) and Join Us in Making Progress (JUMP) to spend part of your morning volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and will assist helping to build and construct a home for a local family. Specific volunteer tasks will vary depending on the needs of the jobsite. More information will follow along to those who register for this event. Space is limited.
Location: Winter Park
Putt for a Purpose - AOII and SAE Golf Tournament
8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
18 hole tournament benefitting The Arthritis Foundation and Breakthrough Type 1 Diabetes - $75. Flyer with QR code to sign up will be available at weekend check in, or contact a AOII or SAE member for more details.
Location: Winter Park Pines Golf Club - 950 S. Ranger Blvd. Winter Park 32792
Family Weekend Brunch on Your Own in the Marketplace
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Enjoy a fantastic brunch on your own with all the Rollins favorites and more at a special Family Weekend price of $14.90 per person. Rollins students use their regular dining swipes with their R-Card.
Location: The Marketplace, Cornell Campus Center
Morning Yoga
9:15 – 10 a.m.
Greet the sun and the arrival of the weekend. During this outdoor yoga session, become aware of the rhythms of nature while balancing movement to strengthen, stretch, and rejuvenate your mind and body. Feel free to bring your own favorite yoga mat or towel. Rollins mats will also be available.
Location: Lakeside Neighborhood, Lawn
Women's Lacrosse Intra-Squad Scrimmage
9:30 - 11 a.m.
Experience the high energy of Women's Lacrosse during this competitive intra-squad scrimmage, where the team’s talent and skills will take center stage!
Location: Cahall-Sandspur Field Field/Barker Family Stadium
Tour and Explore the Rollins Greenhouse, Bee Campus & Urban Farm
10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Tours start at 10:40 11:20, 11:40 & 12 p.m.
Join us for tours of two of Rollins' most unique learning spaces: the Rollins Greenhouse and the Pollinator Garden & Urban Farm. The morning’s experience begins in Kathleen W. Rollins Hall (KWR) on the gathering steps with staff and student led overview of how these areas are—quite literally—buzzing with activity to support sustainability, research, and hands-on learning across disciplines.
From KWR, you'll embark on tours of the Greenhouse atop the Bush Science Center, the Pollinator Garden, and Urban Farm. The Greenhouse is home to more than 800 plant species from around the world. You'll walk through three distinct climate zones and learn how this incredible collection enhances classroom experiences across campus.
As a certified member of the Bee Campus USA program—which recognizes and promotes pollinator conservation on college campuses—Rollins is committed to supporting pollinator health, sustainable farming, and biodiversity. During your tour, you'll explore how students, staff, and faculty work together to advance these efforts. Whether you're a nature lover, eco enthusiast, budding botanist, or simply curious, you'll enjoy the tours.
Location: Meet in Kathleen W. Rollins Hall first floor Gathering Steps (enter at the back of the building). Tours start at 10:40, 11:20, 11:40 and 12 p.m.
Men's Lacrosse Exhibition Game vs. Alumni
1-3 p.m.
Come out and see the Men's Lacrosse team play against the alumni of the program. This annual scrimmage promises to showcase the drive and competitive spirit of past and current players!
Location: Cahall-Sandspur Field Field/Barker Family Stadium
From Chalkboards to Chatbots: The AI Classroom Revolution
1 – 2 p.m.
You'll go "behind the scenes" with Dr. Lucy Littler, interim director of the Endeavor Center for Faculty Development on how AI works, how faculty are embracing it, and how higher education institutions are thinking about teaching and learning in a new era.
Location: Galloway Room (Room 300), Kathleen W. Rollins Hall
Support the JV Baseball team in a home double-header
2 p.m.
Come out and root for the Rollins JV Baseball team as they take on Warner University in a double header.
Location: Alfond Stadium - 340 Aragon Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
The Next Chapter: How Families Can Foster Student Success and Life Skills
2:15 – 3:15 p.m.
Join Drs. Connie Briscoe, Executive Director of Campus Health and Wellness, and Penelope Strater, Associate Dean of Students and Director of the Student Outreach & Resource Center, for a talk on "The Next Chapter: How Families Can Foster Student Success and Life Skills"
For those who joined or "From Setbacks to Success," during orientation, this is the next step in learning how to support your student through their college years. If this is your first session with us, you’ll find a wealth of practical insights as well. We’ll review student feedback from recent surveys to understand their vision of success and the life skills they consider essential. Join us for tips and suggestions on how to support your student as they navigate college life academically, socially, and emotionally.
Location: Galloway Room (Room 300), Kathleen W. Rollins Hall
Family Weekend Cornhole Tournament
3 – 5 p.m.
Fraternity & Sorority Life invites families and students to engage in some friendly competition at the third annual Family Weekend Cornhole Tournament! Families and students are encouraged to sign up as teams of 2-3 to participate. There will be a prize for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners! Cash bar for beer, wine, water, and soft drinks will be available. Teams will be asked to register in advance.
Location: Lakeside Neighborhood Lawn, rain site: Rice Family Pavilion
Women's Volleyball vs. Florida Southern
4 p.m.
This conference game is the Volleyball team's annual Parents and Family Day! Come out and cheer on our women's team!
Location: Alfond Sports Center
WHITMAN ON WALLS! (WoW!)
6 – 8 p.m. Immerse yourself in Whitman on Walls! (WoW!) with an outdoor short film and live performance event
Inspired by Walt Whitman's radical “Song of Myself” (1855), NYC-based theatre company Compagnia de’ Colombari produced seven short films with 50 performers worldwide, bringing Whitman’s iconic words to life in startling and beautiful new ways. Each film will be followed by performances from Orlando poets and writers who "talk back to Whitman" in their own words.
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, WoW! is touring all 50 states by 2026 and selected Rollins College as the Florida location.
Before the live performance, the College Archives and Special Collections will be hosting an exhibit in the library lobby from 4 – 6 p.m.: Book Arts on Transcendentalism, featuring special items from the Walt Whitman Collection and the Rollins College Book Art collection.
Click here for more information: https://rollins.libcal.com/event/15176020
Location: Mills Lawn, rain site: Knowles Memorial Chapel
Family Weekend Trivia Night in Dave's Boathouse
8 – 9 p.m.
Question: How do you find out who has all the answers in your family? Answer: Head to Family Weekend Trivia Night in Dave’s Boathouse! Stop in for a fun evening and challenge your Rollins, current event, and pop culture acumen!
Location: Dave's Boathouse, Cornell Campus Center
Sunday, November 9, 2025
Founders' Day Service
10 a.m.
Rollins families are welcome to take part in a joyous Founders' Day worship service celebrating the establishment of Rollins College and our historical roots in the Congregational Church. The Rollins Department of Music provides magnificent arrangements as part of this annual celebration.
Location: Knowles Memorial Chapel
Happenings Around Campus and Winter Park
Enjoy various other events and experiences around campus and Winter Park while you're here. Also, find discounts for the bookstore.
More Here