Stetson Commons 1994-6-1

Families, YOUR weekend is coming! IS OCT. 21-23 circled on your calendar? That's Stetson University Family Weekend, and you're expected. Watch for your registration form in the mail. Among the highlights of this year's program: An all-day golf tournament Oct. 21 at the LPGA international course in Daytona Beach, hosted by the Athletic Department; Stover Theatre's production of She Stoops to Conquer, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday; and a concert by the Stetson Symphonic Wind Ensemble at 8 p.m. Friday. The Athletic Department has planned Fun in the Sun, an afternoon of sports activities on Rinker Field and in Edmunds Center Saturday (wear your shorts!). Prefer something less strenuous? "Enroll" in Family Weekend 101, special classes taught Saturday afternoon by Stetson professors. Robert Masucci is the student coordinator for Family Week, assisted by Cynthia Destefano, Jennifer Split, Peter Trakas, and Ashleigh Scudder. The President's Parents Council will meet on Friday, Oct. 21, from Noon to 8 p.m. PPC representatives provide a direct channel of communication between parents and the administration. The 1994- 95 PPC will focus on strengthening Stetson's reputation in an increasingly demanding environment. According to David and Susan Mitchell, Council co- chairs, all parents play a role in maintaining Stetson's quality by: ♦ Recommending Stetson graduates to prospective employers, ♦ Utilizing professional associations to strengthen the University's corporate and foundation contacts, ♦ Recommending Stetson University to college-age students, and ♦ Becoming a member of one of Stetson's giving clubs. ons A Newsletter for Families of Stetson Students Fall 1994 Volume VI No. 1 President's challenge: Embrace change PRESIDENT Doug Lee has challenged students, faculty, administrators and staff members to open themselves to change this year. While noting that change can be terrifying, he insisted at opening Convocation that it is part of life-long learning, the goal of any real university. "Wc must meet the needs of our ever- changing society. Last year's assumptions must be revised," he said. Stetson has been reaching out to rhe larger community for some time now, seeking new regional partnerships with which to share its resources and expand real world opportunities for its students. "During the next decade, the quality of higher education will be defined more in terms of public service and successful careers for students than in comparisons with other institutions," said Lee. "We will increasingly focus our attention on building educational, service, and problem-solving networks rhat will link Stetson's distinctive programs and talent base with the problems, needs, opportunities in our region and state." Stetson was the 1994 winner of Mainstreet Florida's Outstanding Supporter Award tor work with Mainstreet DeLand. Two academic programs began this fall: Latin American Studies, expanded from a minor to a full major, is a multidisciplinary program with courses in six different departments: economics, political science, foreign languages, geography, history and sociology. The new minor in Applied Ethics also draws from various departments, including philosophy, communication studies, religion, management and teacher education, to offer a series of courses about ethical concerns. The Sport and Exercise Science course, launched last fall after a complete reorganization of the former physical education offerings, is one of the university's fastest growing programs with 78 majors. New at the graduate level is an expanded finance option for the Master of Business Administration. The highly successful Roland George Investment Program, in which upperclass students invest an actual portfolio of more than $1.5 million, now includes MBA students. Comedian Carrot Top performs CARROT TOP, the 1993 National Campus Comedian of the Year, performec at Edmunds Center Sept. 10 to a capacity crowd. He has appeared on the Tonight Show, Arscnio Hall, Evening at the hnprov, and MTV. US* ISews ranks Stetson second STETSON ranks second among regional universities and colleges in the South in the U.S. News & World Report 1995 special report, "America's Best Colleges." Stetson again placed first in its category among Florida universities. In this year's top 10 southern regional universities, the University of Richmond was first, followed by Stetson and then Rollins College, also in Florida. Wake Forest University, first in Stetson's category last year, and Berea College, third, were moved to other categories. "We are always pleased to have the quality of a Stetson education recognized," said Provost Eugene Lubot. "We will continue to provide students with the best education we can, with particular attention to how that education prepares them for careers or graduate school." First year students at Stetson and their families know all about change. Moving in during FOCUS are Susie Prochaska, left, and her parents. — Photo by Mary Ann Rogers