John B. Stetson University
Transcribed from an undated handwritten document by Stetson President (1885-1903) John F.
Forbes. Date is circa 1890.
This institution under the name of "DeLand Academy" was the first, we believe, established in
Florida in which could be obtained under directly Christian auspices not only a thorough
Academic Education in the proper sense of that term, but also a complete preparation for any
college in the country. It certainly was the first educational institution under the general control of
a religious Denomination to be chartered by the state Legislature. Its charter is a broad and
liberal one admitting of the organization of every kind of special and professional school as well
as a college, Academy & Normal School for both sexes. This charter has constituted the basis
for the charters of several other denominational schools in the state.
The central and controlling idea involved in its foundation history and present administration is to
give in Florida, especially to the young men and women of Florida a Christian education and as
broad, as liberal and as thorough as can be obtained in any part of our country and at the same
time, by a low rate of tuition, by scholarships and other assistance to students needing it, to bring
such education within the reach of every young man or woman who really desires it. The
question has been asked, and very properly, too, how are we to keep our bright young men and
women in Florida when there are such magnificent educational facilities in the other states. The
men in control of John B. Stetson University have recognized the fact that there is but one answer
to this question and that is "by making this institution equal to the best in the country and thus
commanding patronage by the character of the work done." This is a very high aim, but the
University is willing to aim at nothing lower than this. The real power and value of any school, of
any grade, is in its teachers. Buildings, libraries and apparatus are good and give added power,
where there is already power to use them aright, but they can never, no matter how extensive,
constitute a University.
"Mark Hopkins at one end of a log and the student at the other end" is a better ideal of a
University than all the buildings, libraries and apparatuses in the world can, of themselves, afford.
The vital contact of the students with vigorous and stimulating mind and heart -this is the sine
qua non of a successful education. It is in line with this principle that teachers have been
selected for John B. Stetson University. The trustees for this Institution have not neglected to
provide beautiful and elegantly furnished buildings, extensive and expensive apparatuses and
illustrative material, the most complete general and reference library in the state and yet they
have felt that the primary - the most important thing was to find men and women of large heart
and mind, apt to teach and full of enthusiasm and stimulating power. And so they have gone to
the University of Rochester, the University of Michigan, Wesleyan Univ., Shurtleff College, Vassar
College, Wellesley College, and many others of the best institutions in this country as well as
abroad and asked for the best in scholarship, character and experience. In this respect they have
not spared expense, as is indicated by the fact that during the last year they expended nearly
$10000.00 more than they received from students in the salaries of faculty - and other current
expenses and in assisting students who needed and desetved assistance. This outlay, for these
purposes, will increase rather than diminish and is made possible by endowments and direct gifts
-of noble-hearted, philanthropic men and women, directly interested in Christian education.
External Equipment
John B. Stetson University has, at present, three buildings - Stetson Hall - a beautiful, three
storied building, with veranda across the entire front, containing, on the first floor, reception and
Music rooms, suite of five rooms for the President and family, matron's rooms and dining room,
with a broad ample hall running from front to rear. The second and third stories contain the
students' rooms and rooms for three members of the Faculty who reside in the building. The
entire building is elegantly furnished and the rooms are large - each with ample closet adjoining
and heated by steam. Pure water, in abundance, is supplied to each floor and arrangements are
