The Lovett School is celebrating a “truly historic moment” following the announcement in November 2025 of a record-breaking $30 million commitment from the Rollins family. This monumental gift, the largest single donation in the school’s 99-year history, serves as the lead gift for the “One Lovett” centennial campaign, designed to lay the foundation for the school’s next century. The initiative is strategically aligned with the school’s 100th anniversary in 2026.
The transformative commitment comes from alumni family members Amy Rollins Kreisler (’88), Pam Rollins (’75), and Tim Rollins (’81). It honors the late alumna Rita Anne Rollins (’72), the oldest child of Randall and Peggy Rollins.
The $30 million gift is the latest and most impactful expression of the Rollins family’s profound and multi-generational connection to The Lovett School. For decades, the family has been deeply interwoven with the Lovett community through alumni status, leadership, and philanthropy. The family patriarch, the late Randall Rollins, demonstrated this commitment by serving on the Lovett School’s Board of Trustees from 1973 to 1979. The Rollins family, who founded and operate the pest control company Rollins Inc., are regularly featured on the Forbes Billionaires list.
This historic donation specifically serves to honor Rita Anne Rollins (’72), the oldest child of Randall and Peggy Rollins. Rita Anne was a Lovett student who tragically passed away in 1970 before her junior year, and the new campus centerpiece will be named Rita Anne Rollins Hall in her lasting memory. The family’s connection extends to Rita Anne’s siblings, several of whom are alumni: Richard Rollins (’73), Pamela Rollins (’75), Tim Rollins (’81), and Amy Rollins Kreisler (’88). This legacy continues into the next generation, with several grandchildren having attended or graduated from the school.
The family’s long-standing support extends beyond this single record-breaking pledge. They have generously backed the Lovett community for decades through significant investments dedicated to faculty and staff support and the academic resource center, underscoring a consistent belief in strengthening the foundational elements of the Lovett experience.
A significant portion of the funds is dedicated to the construction of Rita Anne Rollins Hall, which is designed to be the new central hub of the campus, bringing students, faculty, alumni, and families together. The new building will be a versatile, multi-purpose complex combining academic, spiritual, and communal spaces.
Key features of the Rita Anne Rollins Hall complex will include:
The construction of this facility is timed to coincide with the school’s centennial celebrations. The year 2026 marks the school’s 100th anniversary, and the groundbreaking for Rita Anne Rollins Hall is anticipated for Summer/Fall 2026. Following the start of construction, the new facility is currently expected to open to students and faculty in Fall 2028.
The $30 million gift is the lead commitment for the One Lovett campaign, which aims to prepare the school for its next century of excellence. The funds are dedicated to four specific areas within the campaign:
While the campaign’s overall fundraising goal has not been publicly announced, the focus on the centennial year highlights its importance. More details on the campaign’s comprehensive plan can be found on the official website, OneLovett.org.
The historic Rollins donation spearheads the One Lovett centennial campaign, but the school’s mission is sustained by a diverse ecosystem of annual giving, endowment support, and parent-led initiatives. These diverse programs, along with individual student-led philanthropic efforts, help sustain the school’s mission and enhance the student experience:
As The Lovett School approaches its centennial year in 2026, the historic Rollins contribution is viewed as a definitive step in securing its future. Head of School Meredyth Cole noted that the extraordinary generosity “allows us to dream bigger for our students and faculty” and “lays the foundation for Lovett’s next century of excellence.”
The construction of Rita Anne Rollins Hall will stand as a tangible testament to the Rollins family’s deep, multi-generational connection to the school and their belief in the power of education to shape character and community.