Rita Bornstein (1990-2004)

Rita Bornstein (1990-2004)

Description

Rita Bornstein (1935-2024) made history in 1990 when she became the thirteenth—and first female—president of Rollins College. Over her 14-year tenure, she not only elevated the college’s national standing but also redefined what it meant to be a college president through her visionary leadership, fundraising acumen, and deep commitment to community engagement.

Born in New York City in 1935, Bornstein’s path to leadership was anything but conventional. After an early departure from the University of Chicago, she moved to Los Angeles, married young, and later returned to Florida as a single mother. She earned her B.A. and M.A. in English Literature from Florida Atlantic University and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Miami. Her early career included teaching high school English and directing the U.S. Office of Education Technical Assistance Center, where she helped implement Title IX across the Southeast.

Before arriving at Rollins, Bornstein served as vice president for development at the University of Miami, where she led one of the most successful fundraising campaigns in higher education at the time. This experience laid the foundation for her transformative presidency at Rollins.

Under Bornstein’s leadership, Rollins experienced a renaissance. The college’s endowment grew from $39 million to over $260 million—a sevenfold increase. She launched and completed “The Campaign for Rollins,” raising $160.2 million to support scholarships, faculty, and facilities. Her tenure saw the construction and renovation of 25 buildings, including the Cornell Campus Center and the McKean Gateway, which symbolized a new era of openness and connection between the college and the Winter Park community.

Academically, Bornstein championed liberal education and innovation. She introduced new programs, including Sustainable Development and the Rollins College Conference for first-year students (RCC), and helped the college rise from sixth to first place in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of regional universities in the South. She also established 16 new endowed chairs and led efforts to improve faculty compensation and student academic standards.

Bornstein’s presidency was marked by a strong emphasis on civic engagement. She encouraged service learning and community partnerships, leading to Rollins being honored with the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year Award in 1994 and naming Bornstein its Citizen of the Decade in 2004.

Beyond administration, Bornstein was a prolific scholar and author. She delivered over 100 presentations and wrote extensively on higher education. Her leadership style—described as both formidable and deeply empathetic—earned her national recognition, including the CASE Chief Executive Leadership Award and the Summit Award for lifetime achievement in fundraising.

After retiring in 2004, Bornstein remained active as the George D. and Harriet W. Cornell Professor of Philanthropy and Leadership Development at Rollins. She also served on numerous nonprofit boards and continued to advocate for education and community development.

Rita Bornstein passed away in January 2024 at the age of 88 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Her legacy endures not only in the physical and academic transformation of Rollins College but also in the lives of the countless students, colleagues, and community members she inspired.

First Year of Presidency

1990

Rita Bornstein (1990-2004)
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