Thaddeus & Polly Seymour Acts of Kindness Day
Join us on February 18, 2025, for a day of service and kindness, celebrating the legacy of Rollins’ 12th president, Thaddeus Seymour, and his wife, Polly.
A Legacy of Kindness & Service
Find out how the legacy of Thaddeus and Polly Seymour inspired the College to create a new day of service in their honor.
Get a Head Start on Kindness
5 – 7 p.m. | Bush Lawn
This year, we’re getting the goodwill going early. Stop by Bush Lawn on Monday evening to share and receive a message of kindness.
Project for Hope Drive – Stuffed Animals for Ronald McDonald House
All Day | Kathleen W. Rollins Hall, first floor lobby, second floor Gathering stairs and the C-Store
Project for Hope, established in 2012, gives children in the hospital a donated stuffed animal to hold during their treatment, serving as a reminder that someone is hoping for their recovery. Project for Hope has donated more than 900 stuffed animals through their donation drives.
Jars for Tars Collection Drive
All Day | Kathleen W. Rollins Hall — first floor lobby, second floor Gathering Stairs
Swing by Kathleen W. Rollins Hall to make a donation to the Tars Pantry. Rollins’ on-campus food pantry accepts all non-perishable goods, new and gently used business attire, and perishable goods with a long shelf-life, available to students and Rollins employees.
OneBlood Drive
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Holt Ave. near the Chapel
OneBlood’s Big Red Bus will be on campus all day. Please consider donating if you’re able and bring your friends and family along to increase your lifesaving impact.
Share a Message of Kindness
8:30 – 10 a.m. | Tars Plaza
Join forces with student representatives from Omicron Delta Kappa to decorate campus with messages of kindness and support. Grab a free coffee and doughnut to get your day started off on the right foot.
Labyrinth Peace Walks
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Behind the Mister Rogers Sculpture
Join the Dr. Rev. Dorrell Briscoe, Dean of Religious & Spiritual Life, for an interactive labyrinth walk in which you’ll focus on how to spread kindness in our community and beyond.
12 Bell Salute
12:12 p.m. | Knowles Memorial Chapel
Listen at 12:12 p.m. because the Knowles Memorial Chapel bell will ring a dozen times in honor of Rollins’ 12th president.
Pathways of Kindness: 5-Minute Difference Projects
12:30 – 1:45 p.m. | Tars Plaza and Mills Lawn
Grab a Kindness Passport and collect stamps as you complete 10 different 5-Minute Difference projects that will range from making notes of gratitude and kindness or fun care packs for Mayflower and Gardens at DePugh residents, packing hygiene kits for the Coalition for the Homeless. If you collect six or more stamps, you’ll receive a T-shirt and be entered into a drawing for a goodie bag. Projects will be hosted by student and campus organizations.
Polly’s Book Drive
12:30 – 1:45 p.m. | Tars Plaza and Mills Lawn
Help support a lifelong love of reading just like Polly Seymour by donating new or gently used books for young children during this all-day book drive. Your donation will benefit Polly Seymour New Leaf Bookstore in the Winter Park Library.
Polly's Celebration of Life
A celebration of life for Polly will take place on Tuesday, February 18 at 2 p.m. in Rice Family Pavilion. A reception will follow at the Rollins Labyrinth.
We "R" One: Art, Unity, and Connection Unveiled
4 – 7 p.m. | 5th floor of the Rollins Garage
This community celebration will unveil two murals that reflect themes of belonging, mental wellness, and connection, showcasing the work of muralist Delia Miller and the collaborative efforts of students, faculty, and staff. The event aims to foster dialogue, connection, and a shared commitment to mental wellness and suicide prevention through art.
A Legacy of Love
Learn more about how Thaddeus inspired this celebration of service.
October 26, 2020
Remembering Thaddeus Seymour
The Rollins community shares their favorite memories of Rollins’ beloved 12th president, Thaddeus Seymour ’82HAL ’90H.
October 23, 2020
His Goodness Goes Viral
The life of Rollins’ 12th president, Thaddeus Seymour ’82HAL ’90H, is a testament to that which he held most dear: kindness. Now the College declares a day in his honor—a day for us all to come together and sprinkle a little bit of the magic that was so distinctively Thad.
October 28, 2019
In Memory: Thaddeus Seymour ’82HAL ’90H
Rollins’ 12th president was magical in every sense of the word.