THE STETSON UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY NEWSLETTER
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August, 1977
Dear Alumni and a few others,
THE DELAND SCENE: So many new chain restaurants have opened on North
Boulevard—Long John Silver's, International House of Pancakes, Ranch House,
and Sambo's—that there are rumors that a theme park (Six Flags Over Georgia?)
will locate in the area. DeLand Airport, it is rumored, will be expanded to
become the regional airport since its runways are longer than those of Daytona
Beach airport. Neither rumor has been confirmed. Two of the largest vacant
buildings in town have been refurbished. The old Setzer's grocery building on
West New York Avenue has been renovated for Daytona Beach Community College's
West Volusia branch, which opened in temporary quarters this summer with classes
ranging from astrology and belly dancing to Spanish. On Georgia Avenue the law
offices of James Clayton '54 and Craig T. James '63 is one of the most attractive
buildings in the city. Now Jim Clayton has redone the old A & P building,
fitting it with a very handsome mansard roof.
WELCOME POPE AND MARGARET: Many of us on the faculty have known Pope and
Margaret Duncan, our new president (as of July 18) and his wife, but no one has
known him batter than Marc Lovelace. I asked Marc to write about things we don't
know about Pope and Margaret. Here is his account:
"Pope A. Duncan, like his predecessor John Johns, is an historian, having
earned his doctorate in church history. He is also a world traveler, having
conducted travel seminars with me to Europe and the Middle East. In addition,
he is a jogger, doing two miles daily; he is the only known person who can walk
faster than I. Margaret Duncan is an avid tennis player. Like Pope, she is a
member of Phi Beta Kappa, and, again like her husband, she holds an M.A. in
physics."
THANKS GEORGE: Being the interim head of a college is difficult, but
George Borders '61 performed admirably as our Chief Administrator for the past
year. His administration improved communication with the faculty, generously
Increased faculty salaries, blanketed most University staff personnel under the
retirement program, and continued the renovation of Flagler Hall (the old
science building). This valuable experience will be helpful to George as he
moves toward a distinguished career as a college administrator. He now looks
forward to returning his attention to the student deans* affairs with a new
title of Vice-President for Student Affairs. George is also settling into his
new position as a member of the DeLand City Commission, saving been appointed
unanimously by the other commissioners to the post vacated when Jim Ed Summerhill
was elected mayor.
BETTY AND EVANS: Spring brought Betty's annual complaint that I had not
produced a "bloomin' thing" for the yard. The glads have produced two blossoms
costed out at $12.50 a blossom. The day lilies from President Johns's and
Judge Blount's '51 yards have not bloomed. I argued that the neighbors on either
side of our house have quantities of azaleas so that unless you look carefully
our lack of blossoms is not apparent. My final argument before capitulating
was that we have too much shade to produce flowers0
Oh well, buying plants always brings me into pleasant contact with Dave
Bride '51. Dave, a one-time professional ball player, was trained in law but
has practiced little since his nursery has grown into the largest in West
Volusia. Dave's once black hair is now silver, but his ruddy face and powerful
