myregion.org CEO Roundtable member Rita Bornstein recently announced her resignation as President of Rollins Collegeto pursue a new career with the non-profit sector.

See the following article for complete details.

Rollins President to Resign
Orlando Sentinel
February 22, 2003
By Mary Shanklin

WINTER PARK -- Rita Bornstein, one of Rollins College's most successful presidents, shocked faculty and community leaders Friday by announcing that she is resigning to work with nonprofit groups.

After 13 years of setting fund-raising records and improving academics at the private college, Bornstein told trustees, faculty and students that she will leave in summer 2004.

"The college is in such good shape on every front. We've transformed the campus. Student enrollment is strong. Applications are up," said Bornstein, 67. "By the end of 2004, I will have served 14 years. That's a long run."

Bornstein said she was recently in the midst of writing a book about college presidencies. She had completed chapters about the early and middle years of an administration and as she was writing about presidents' final years, realized that it might be time for her to leave. She said she wants to write more books and find ways to help nonprofit groups realize more of their potential, particularly in ways that would benefit the region and the state. She insisted that she is not retiring.

"I work," Bornstein said. "I don't play golf. I don't play tennis."

The New York City native and former real-estate agent worked her way up to become vice president at the University of Miami. She came to Rollins as its 13th president in April 1990.

The first female president of the 118-year-old school announced her decision Friday, but she conferred with the board of trustees several months ago.

"We had talked about this when Rita came to the conclusion a couple months ago," said Frank Barker, chairman of Rollins' board of trustees.

"I think what Rita Bornstein brought to Rollins was a discipline that coordinated the academic needs of the college with the financial needs, and she was so relentless in her dedication to doing," he said. She was so relentless that the college raised $160.2 million -- 60 percent over the goal -- in a campaign that culminated in 2001. The money was targeted for student scholarships, faculty chairs and academic programs.

One of Rollins' most notable claims in recent years has been its newfound national stature. Last year, U.S. News & World Report ranked Rollins the second-best regional university in the South and first in Florida. A decade ago, the school ranked sixth regionally.

In 1990, the average SAT score for Rollins' incoming freshmen was 1,040. It's now 1,150, an increase of more than 10 percent. Total enrollment is 3,835.

"I'm very proud of our focus on academic excellence, and I want Rollins to be known as one of the top colleges in America, and I think that is happening," she said.

When the search begins for a new president, Barker said, trustees probably will look for a Bornstein clone. Rollins faculty dean Roger Casey said he was devastated by the news. "Her commitment to the attention of the academic programs and raising funds for that is paramount to her career," Casey said.

The number of endowed chairs -- professorships supported by donations to the college -- increased from nine to 24 during her tenure.

Bornstein's attitude toward professors shows in the centerpiece of her office. In the middle of her conference table are the latest publications by faculty members. "I think at this point in her presidency, she is extremely widely acclaimed by faculty," Casey said.

Some faculty members may have been skeptical when the academic institution picked a top-notch fund-raiser for its president, said Rollins physics chairman Don Griffin. Most skeptics became converts when they saw her dedication to building the school's credibility, he added. Winter Park Mayor Terry Hotard said the city is losing a strong partner.

When Bornstein came to Rollins, the college entrance was marked by a car lot. Today, a $1.5 million gateway -- with lights, brick streets and landscaping – has replaced the used cars. And she helped revitalize Park Avenue through Rollins' development of SunTrust Plaza, Hotard added said.

"I'm devastated," he said. "I think we have one of the finest town and college relationships in Central Florida and the state -- and maybe the nation," Hotard said. "She's been a strong friend."

Bornstein said one of her fondest recent memories was watching Winter Park firefighters and police join a recent commemoration of Sept. 11, 2001 at the college's Knowles Chapel as the Bach Choir performed Mozart's Requiem.

She said she is not leaving Winter Park.

The wife of retired University of Miami education Professor Harland Bloland said her longtime friends from that university had urged her to return there. She turned them down.

"This is my home now," she said.

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