Hugh F. McKean (1951-1969)

Hugh F. McKean (1951-1969)

Description

Hugh Ferguson McKean (1908-1995), the tenth president of Rollins College, played a defining role in shaping both the College and the broader Winter Park community throughout the mid-20th century. A Rollins graduate (Class of 1930), McKean was an artist, educator, and philanthropist whose leadership helped anchor the College in a legacy of art, beauty, and civic responsibility.

Born in Pennsylvania in 1908, McKean moved to Central Florida as a child and later returned to Rollins as an art instructor in the 1930s. His academic and artistic training included studies at prestigious institutions in the U.S. and France. In 1945, he married Jeannette Genius McKean, granddaughter of industrialist and major Rollins benefactor Charles Hosmer Morse. Together, the McKeans would become stewards of the arts and ecology in Winter Park, contributing significantly to its cultural identity.

Jeannette founded the Morse Gallery of Art in 1942, and Hugh served as its director for decades. Their shared passion for the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany led to a vast collection of Tiffany glass and art, now housed at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. Hugh would later author several books on Tiffany’s work and philosophy.

McKean became president of Rollins in 1951, following a turbulent period for the College. He guided the institution through nearly two decades of steady growth, during which the College balanced its budget, expanded enrollment, constructed nine major buildings, and more than quadrupled its endowment. A pivotal moment in McKean’s tenure came in 1965, when Rollins College was formally integrated. This decision, made under his leadership, marked a significant step forward in realizing Rollins’ values of equity, access, and community.

Beyond campus, McKean was a champion of conservation. He and Jeannette lived at Wind Song, a lakeside estate surrounded by preserved natural Florida habitat. They were active in maintaining Winter Park’s environmental integrity and architectural charm.

Known for his humility, creativity, and commitment to education, McKean remained deeply involved with Rollins even after stepping down in 1969, later serving as Chancellor and Chairman of the Board. He passed away in 1995 leaving an indelible mark on Rollins and Winter Park. To commemorate his contributions to the College, Rollins Student Association launched the Hugh McKean Award, to be selected by students and given to a faculty member annually, “who has given outstanding services to the students both in and out of the classroom.” In addition, Rollins also established the Hugh and Jeannette McKean Grant to enable a faculty member to undertake a research project, an artistic work, or a teaching-related project that will contribute to the educational mission of the College, which is a $15,000 cash award designed to provide an "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a faculty member to accomplish what would otherwise be deemed impossible in a single professional career."

First Year of Presidency

1951

Hugh F. McKean (1951-1969)
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