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Historical Reflections

Dr. Edward J. Harrell, Professor of History

It is a distinct privilege for me to share with you some historical reflections as the Rollins Brevard era comes to a close 53 years after its inception. In 1951, Harry Truman was president of the United States, the Cold War had begun and it had spawned a hot war in Korea. It was in the summer of that year that Rollins College established at Patrick Air Force Base extension courses as part of the military program of educational services for its personnel labeled "Operation Bootstrap." Hence Rollins has the distinction of being the first college in the state of Florida to establish higher education in Brevard County.

From its inception, Rollins professors offered their services both for on-campus teaching and courses taught at the base to help military personnel complete or begin their work toward a college degree. In that first year as many as 20 classes, ranging from mathematics and business administration through humanities were offered. Moreover, at the Patrick Missile Test Center on Cape Canaveral a "Sandwich Bag Thermos Bottle" extension course allowed 30-40 airmen to enroll for one or more credit courses.

Although the 1950s and 1960s were often fraught with international tensions including the armaments race between the United States and the former Soviet Union, and the harrowing Cuban missile crisis of 1962, Rollins in Brevard continued in its mission to provide quality higher education to both military and aerospace related personnel.

In 1972, Rollins opened its enrollment to qualified residents of Brevard County at what was then designated as Rollins College, Patrick Air Force Base Branch. In the next decade and a half, the full-time faculty was joined by professors still associated with the program. These include Lyvonne Burleson (Associate Professor Emerita of Business Administration), Larry Holt (Associate Professor of Computer Science), Gary Winarski (Associate Professor of Accounting) and myself. In 1982, Ralph Pallex joined the Patrick Branch as Coordinator of Records and Registrations and he remains to this day as perhaps the "heart and soul' of our campus.

In 1988, after 37 years at the Patrick Air Force Base location, the College acquired new facilities in Rockledge and a new name:  Rollins College Brevard Campus. During this period (1988-1994) the full-time faculty was enhanced with the appointments of such distinguished professors as Maggie Dunn (Professor of English), Sandra McIntire (Associate Professor of Psychology), and Patricia Lancaster (Professor of French, and subsequently Dean of the Rollins College Brevard Campus). Rollins Brevard was fortunate when Sharon Carrier, who is now Assistant Provost in Winter Park, came to Rollins Brevard in 1983 as an instructor in humanities. In 1988 she assumed administrative responsibilities as Assistant to the Dean, and later as Associate Dean. Marianne Bartman, who is at present Assistant Dean for Operations and Student Services, joined the staff in 1992. Marianne is perhaps the only person whom I have known that accomplishes tasks almost before they are assigned!

With the leadership and foresight of Dean Patricia Lancaster, Rollins Brevard acquired in 1994 facilities in West Melbourne, which proved the most accommodating, appealing and "campus-like" in the history of the college’s presence in Brevard Campus. Joining our faculty were talented professors as Mary Robsman (Visiting Assistant Professor of Education), Patricia Bush (Visiting Assistant Professor of Education) whose untimely death saddened us so, Madeline Kovarik (Visiting Assistant Professor of Education and Director of Teacher Education), Ronald Presley (Visiting Professor of Economics) and Joe Siry (Associate Professor of Environmental Studies).  And our wonderful staff has been enhanced even more in recent years by Angie Jones, Allison Matteson, and Jennifer Robinson-Felber.

Of course, talented and outstanding as the people of our full-time faculty and staff have been, Rollins Brevard would not have achieved the first-rate reputation that it has without the enrichment provided by an array of talented and gifted instructors associated with the adjunct faculty. Within its ranks have been writers, artists, teachers, attorneys, accountants, psychologists, and telecommunications-computer-and information technology gurus. This program was indeed fortunate to have such women and men give of their time, to share their enthusiasm for imparting knowledge. In my view, these individuals represented some of the most academically talented and intellectually stimulating educators living within our community.

Twenty-two years ago — May 1982 — the Rollins program in Brevard held its first commencement in Brevard County. It was "our" commencement celebrating "our" graduates. Today we honor our graduates at the 23rd and last commencement of Rollins College Brevard Campus. Meanwhile, in the intervening years, the Cold War, the Berlin Wall, the Soviet Union and so much more have become "history." And Rollins College Brevard Campus? Will it be cast "into the dust bin of history?"

The pessimistic and cynics might conclude this. But those — and they are many — who appreciate the historical perspective and the majesty of history would not. Since its inception in 1951, this program has graduated over 5,000 students. Several thousand alumni of Rollins Brevard still reside in Brevard County and central Florida. They have shared that special Rollins Brevard experience:  they tell of the dedication of professors and staff; they repeatedly speak of how they were never treated “as a number” at Rollins; they appreciated the enthusiasm of their instructors, as we instructors marveled at how these men and women managed to balance careers, raise families, and pursue college degrees. The Rollins College Brevard Campus made a difference in their lives. And many will continue to remember, relate, and cherish this special time in the years to come. They will share these memories with friends, family, and even strangers.  And that is what history is. Shared. Timeless. Majestic.

Graduates of the Class of 2004 — as well as those graduates who preceded you — remember, too, that as Rollins College alumni you are one of the components of the Rollins College family.  And that Rollins today is one of the most admired and respected private liberal arts colleges in America. As you move on with your lives, I hope that occasionally you might recall the Latin inscription which has adorned the Rollins logo for so many years — "Fiat Lux" — "Let There Be Light!" May your intellectual light, the light of your accomplishments, the light of your caring and commitment to community, to society, and to the remembrance of Rollins College Brevard Campus never grow dim. I wish you the very best!  Thank You!