The Stetson Reporter

florida's Oldest Coikgiatt 9\(euispaper f*BBaajaajj'—y—y-^y:—=-ri—'—~'~i WteETOP W$n HWMlfXWP ids fond oale Etter Turner, former dean ol'students,.is remembered''forher lifelong dedication Dr. Ann R. Morris Special to The Reporter Like many of her friends, I was stunned by the sudden death of Etter Turner. Even those of us who knew that she was terminally ill with cancer thought that somehow she would beat the odds against this enemy just as she had so many times done the impossible. In fact, I remember in the '70s when doctors fold Turner that she was going to have to start using a wheelchair before long. Instead, she found a surgeon who agreed to try a hip fusion. Just before Etter Turner flew to New Orleans for that operation, women students and faculty gathered in the Stetson Room ' for a big party, and the song we sang to her that night was "To Dream the Impossible Dream." She fulfilled impossible dreams all her life. And somehow she inspired those around her to try to do the same. A career woman before being a career woman was popular, even as a senior at Stetson, Turner violated gender stereotypes. One of her classmates remembers that Etter Turner was the only woman student who had a car on campus. In her job of student assistant to the Dean of Women, Turner would drive around campus checking to see whether all the women were in their residence halls by 6:00 p.m. as they were supposed to be. By the time Turner herself became . dean of womenin 1941, she already had a reputation as a strong disciplinarian who knew everything that was happening in the campus community. Betty Johnson,, now associate director for technical services in DuPont-Ball Library, remembers in the '50s the mandatory hat and gloves that women students had to wear to the afternoon teas Turner gave. In Johnson's words, "Dean Turner was determined to teach us how to be ladies—and she even succeeded with a few!" According to Johnson, even after she herself joined the staff in 1961, her respect for and awe of this inimitable dean made use of a first name impossible. "I always called her Dean Turner," says Johnson. Yet to over-emphasize Turner's forceful character and regard for discipline is to misrepresent this remarkable woman. "Etter-stories" showing her sense of humor also abound. Sara Jernigan, former director of women's physical education, tells one such story. During Christmas vacation of 1942, Jernigan had wed a young lawyer in St. Petersburg. When school re-opened in January, Turner stopped Jernigan on their way to the daily chapel service. When they entered Elizabeth Hall auditorium, Turner deliberately fell behind. Much to Jemigan's embarrassment, as she walked down the aisle alone, the organist started playing the wedding march and both students and faculty—all in on the joke Turner had setup—started laughing. Another example of both her omniscience and humor is the story told about some co-eds who were planning to "streak" (run in various degrees of. disrobement) from Chaudoin Hall to Minnesota Avenue, where the kiosk is now. Turner had found out about this plan and when the escapade was about to occur, Turner and her friend Barbara Rowe quietly pulled their car directly in front- of the get-away convertible. Turner and Rowe laughed for many years about how shocked the streakers were when they jumped in their car and realized they couldn't drive off. Disciplinary action was of course taken, but most of the young women involved turned out to be among Turner's best friends. ' ' ,A story that appeared in the Reader's Digestdeals with one evening when Turner discovered in her reserved parking place a car occupied by a young man and woman in an impassioned embrace. Turner pulled into an adjacent space but, eager to park her car in the reserved spot for the night, she politely called out to the young woman, "Can I trade places with you?" When I came to Stetson as a faculty member in 1961, Dean Turner quickly got me involved in some of her pet projects—Mortar Board, Student Affairs meetings, Publication Board. In a sense, she, more than any faculty member, became my mentor. A week seldom passes now without my remembering some valuable insight that she gave me. One of the mottoes she lived by was "There's no such thing as too much love." Indeed, as I have talked to Etter's friends, former students, and colleagues this past week, the words that I keep hearing are "available," "interested," "caring." She "rescued" many lost people—young and old—and got them back on the right track. What I remember also is how much she trusted students. Her philosophy that people grow to accept the responsibility you give .them led tojhe key system for women's residence halis long before other schools had anything so progressive. When other schools still had "house-mothers," Turner instituted the use of students as RA's. That philosophy is Etter Turner's legacy to all of us who knew her. When I was a student at Stetson, I went to a Stover Theater production of Thornton Wilder's The Long Christmas Dinner. The play has to do with a family Christmas dinner that lasts for years. As the dinner progresses and the years pass, various members of the family die and move off stage while others are born and move on stage. The conversation is repetitious in that, year after year, the family members talk about the weather, the sermon they have just heard, who is getting married, and so on. In the discussion that followed the play I remarked that I found this a very pessimistic play because it seemed to suggest that progress is a myth, that humans just keep worrying over the same problems and making the same mistakes over and over again. Etter Turner's response was that she found the play very comforting because it showed the indomitable spirit of the human race, that in spite of death and disappoint- Etter Turner (1912-1994) ment people keep on trying to improve. As I think about how much we will all miss Etter Turner, I remember that evening and know that Etter is not really gone. She is still part of the Stetson family who continue to work with each other, to trust each other, to help each other—even as we dream the impossible dream. Dreaming the impossible dream—a woman of vision, Jove, and admiration Pope A. Duncan Special to The Reporter- This article is courtesy of fhe Spring/ Summer 1994Pio Veritate. ' Her roots at Stetson University go back to the very beginning of the institution. Her uncle, J.S. Turner, was a member of the first Board of Trustees. She, herself, arrived in 1931 during the i?:. administration of the.second president ;J of the university, Lincoln-Hulley. For '»;• -63 years, there, has.been a love affair between Etter and Stetson. A two-degree alumna (B.A., 1935, and M. A., 1936), she has served her alma mater in many roles: religious life counsellor; assistant professor of religion; assistant, associate, and dean of women; associate dean of students; and, finally, : dean of students (the first woman in. Stetson's history to hold that title). ,, :, When she retired in 1977, she had been associated with every president except the first, John Forbes. But a recital of degrees or positions does not begin to catch the spirit or fundamental contribution of Etter Turner. Hundreds of stories are told about her, and thousands of former students remember her, with both awe and affection. Since returning to Stetson in 1977 (I knew Etter in my earlier sojourn in the late 40s and early 50s), I seldom visit with alumni across the land without being asked about "Dean Turner." Usually, after assuring the questioner that she is well, I am told how much she meant to that person, and quite frequently, hear some incident from their life as a student relating to the dean. All this is to say that her love for students, and her confidence in them, never wavered throughout the many years that she worked so closely with them. Whatever the difficulties, no matter the times they gave her problems or the disappointments in individuals or groups, she never lost her optimism about students. She believed in giving them opportunities to succeed or to fail, to make mistakes or to overcome obstacles; and, through it all, she continued to'love them and have faith in them. It is no wonder that the students dedicated the 1969 Hatter yearbook to her in the following words: "How do you...map concern?...translate love? ...color courage?...draw kindness?...paint pain?.,.sketch loyalty?... diagram involvement?...blueprint vision?...You live a day in the life of Dean Etter Turner." Hundreds, even thousands, would happily testify as to the contribution of this remarkable person to Stetson and to students. The following are typical. Linda Parson Davis ('73), associate vice president for planned, giving: "Etter Turner epitomizes what many of us fondly remember about our student days at Stetson. She was "always interested in our personal growth and how she could help. Those days of growing up were sometimes very difficult, and Etter provided much needed guidance and understanding." George R. Borders ('61), former vice president for student affaire: "It was my pleasure to have been dosely associated with Etter Turner for over twenty years as a student and fellow student dean. I know of no one who has had a greater ' impact on shaping the student personality of Stetson University than Etter Turner." George Hood, former director of counseling services: "Her Impact on the lives of students at Stetson is unmatched. She was, respected and beloved by students and colleagues who recognized her strength of character and her forthrightness. She always seemed to find fresh perspectives for her work and challenged others to do so." Etter Turner's place in the history of Stetson is secure, and as the many years pass the legend will only grow— and with good reason! Etter McTeer Turner Etter McTeer Turner, former dean of students, died Thursday, Oct. 18, in Halifax Memorial Hospital from terminal cancer. Miss Turner devoted her entire life to helping generations of students as Stetson. In her years as a student, she studied pre-med and was the first president of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She was also a member of the Mortar Board, and participated in the American Association of University Women. After receiving her bachelor's degree in 1935 and master's degree in 1936, she served as a religious life counselor, assistant professor of religion, and associate dean of students. She was the dean of women until 1976, and in 1977 retired as dean of students. Miss Turner lived in Chaudoin Hall from her graduation until her retirement. May her memory and Stetson spirit live forever. Reporter photo by Sean Richter Zeta Tau Alpha raises money for Greenfeather through the Greek Unique fundraiser. See photo feature on backpage. Greenfeather events draw to a close Angela Ha mei The Stetson Reporter By this time everyone is familiar with the "Energizer Bunny" fanny that is this year's Greenfeather theme. But besides being a week of fun-filled events and competitions, Greenfeather is about working together to build community. This year's goal was set at $15,000, and when The Reporter spoke with Kelly Holzapfel, Greenfeather's student coordinator, she seemed very pleased with this year's participation, especially on behalf of first year students. Stating that her goal as coordinator this year was to make sure that everyone knew what Greenfeather was, and why Stetson has made it such a long-standing tradition; She admitted "when I was a freshman I really didn't know about what Greenfeather was, I had no idea what was going on." And Holzapfel further indicated that this year's Carnival, despite the rain, was more successful than last year's, bringing in over $1,000. Campus organizations, Greek organizations, and residence halls participated in numerous contests, such as chalk art, relay-races, and banner competitions. Such events served to build community spirit within the respective organizations, while raising money indirectly, helping to further mount the Greenfeather spirit. All the events were assigned point values, and were awarded to participating organizations. Entry fees were also paid in order for organizations to participate in various competitions. Just a few of the groups that will benefit from this year's Greenfeather proceeds include Habitat for Humanity, various AIDS groups, and the Volusia County Literacy Council. Everyone knows that a little friendly competition can raise a lot of money, and hopefully this year's competition will mean lots of money to the Greenfeather beneficiary organizations. Overall winners of the Greenfeather competition were: Residence" Halls: Chaudoin, 1st; Conrad, 2nd; Organizations: SAI 1st; AK*F 2nd; BSU 3rd; Fraternities: IN, 1st; AXA, 2nd; ATO, 3rd; Sororities: ZTA, 1st;' FIB®, 2nd; AEA, 3rd. Many thanks to all who dedicated their time to make this year's Greenfeather campaign a success.