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.
A Deep, Multi-Generational Rollins Family Legacy
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.
Rita Anne Rollins Hall: A New Campus Centerpiece
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:
- A new chapel and assembly space.
- Dedicated performing arts venues.
- A spacious new dining commons.
- Academic and activity spaces such as a new learning commons.
- Dedicated makerspaces and media studios.
- An expansive Campus Green space surrounding the facility.
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.
Four Key Initiatives Propelled by the Donation
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:
- Construction of Rita Anne Rollins Hall: Building this new central campus hub.
- Faculty Support: Strengthening investments in faculty excellence through enhanced resources.
- Student Opportunities: Expanding and enhancing opportunities available to all students.
- Financial Aid: Contributing significantly to financial aid initiatives, ensuring expanded support for students with need.
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.
Diverse Fundraising Sustains Lovett’s Mission
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:
- True Blue Fund: Lovett’s primary annual giving initiative, providing immediate impact on current school operations.
- Endowment Funds: Long-term funds supporting scholarship funds for financial aid, faculty enrichment, and programs like Siempre Verde (Lovett’s cloud forest preserve in Ecuador).
- LionBackers: Supports athletic programs through events like tournaments and concessions.
- Friends of the Arts (FOTA): Promotes and supports the fine arts community through events like the annual Arts Show and Sale.
- Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program: Allows community members to redirect their state income tax liability for need-based scholarships for new students.
Securing a Legacy for the Next Century
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.
