On February 13, students, faculty, and staff gathered on the interior steps of Kathleen W. Rollins Hall (KWR) to celebrate the building’s 5th anniversary. Throughout the past five years, the community within KWR has supported students taking steps toward their careers, with the offices and programs serving as resources to help them rise to their goals. In their remarks to the crowd, both President Grant Cornwell and AVP and Dean of Gateway Micki Meyer said they couldn’t believe five years had passed since KWR’s opening.
In 2019, Trustee Kathleen W. Rollins committed $10 million to renovate the building, previously named Mills Memorial Hall, into a facility that would house ten different spaces. According to Meyer, over 112,000 people walked through KWR in 2024, and over 5,000 programs and events were held.
“It’s not only a destination for students to gain support from programs—including international student and scholar services, international programs, community engagement, and career and life planning—but it’s also a place where the campus community comes together to meet, build community, work on projects, study, and visit with faculty and staff,” said Meyer. “Before KWR, Rollins did not have a space on campus that physically connected people in such a profound way, and I often think of KWR as Rollins’ version of Grand Central Station.”
Meyer discussed the challenges those at KWR have faced, as in 2020, two weeks following the grand opening, the building shut down due to COVID-19. Still, students are currently involved at a record rate. “It’s been inspiring to see how the programs and students have rebounded over the last few years,” said Meyer.
Kathleen W. Rollins herself was also present at the anniversary, where she gave a short speech, helped Cornwell cut KWR’s “birthday” cake, and took photos with students afterward. In her speech, Rollins discussed her work as a trustee and what KWR means to her. “I’m reminded of the value of helping not only people in need but students who are striving to succeed,” she said.
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