STETSON UNIVERSITY, DELAND, FLORIDA
;■ i i .mi.. ■ 'f "
July, 1976
DOCTOR OF DIVINITY - The Rev. John Pelham, '50, left, president of the
Florida Baptist Convention, received a doctor of divinity degree from Stetson
May 16. University president Dr. John E. Johns made the presentation during
the school's 93rd commencement. Rev. Pelham delivered the baccalaureate
address earlier that day in Edmunds Center.
379 Graduated in May Ceremonies
Relatives and friends of 379 graduating students gathered at Edmunds
Center May 16 for Stetson's 93rd
Commencement ceremonies.
University president Dr. John E.
Johns conferred the degrees which
included 37 with honors.
Half-century diplomas were
awarded to members of the class of
1926 who were present: Charlotte
Smith, Sanford; I. Walter Hawkins,
Osteen; and Dr. Charles Emerson
Tribble, DeLand.
Dr. Tribble also was presented an
Algernon Sydney Sullivan award for
outstanding character, nobleness and
spiritual qualities. Graduating seniors
i_ee Ann Inman, Winter Park, and
Marc Schappell, Hollywood, received
similar awards from the New York
Southern Society.
English professor Kathleen Johnson, '30, was awarded a William Hugh
McEniry award for excellence in
teaching. This award is made upon
recommendation of both faculty and
students.
An honorary Doctor of Divinity degree was presented to Rev. John Pelham, '50, Stetson trustee, president
of the Florida Baptist Convention and
pastor of Palatka's First Baptist
Church. He had delivered Stetson's
baccalaureate address earlier that
day.
LTC Gregory F. Roche, commander of Stetson's ROTC program,
commissioned four graduating seniors into the United States Army as
second lieutenants.
Traditional academic processionals preceded both the commencement and baccalaureate services.
Endowed Chair of Music
Established at Stetson
A Fort Myers couple established
v\ endowed chair of music at Stetson
n April. University president Dr. John
*. Johns announced the endowed
caching position was made possible
y a gift of $300,000 from John and
liese Price.
Organist Paul Jenkins, professor
in the music school, was named to
fill the chair during a worship service
at Fort Myers' First Baptist Church
with the donors present. He served
as organist for morning worship.
continued on page 10
Johns Accepts Furman Pest
Returns to Alma Mater ^^——■
Stetson president Dr. John E. Johns accepted the presidency of Furman
University in May. He assumes his duties in Greenville, S.C, next month.
"I'm not leaving Stetson ... I'm returning to my alma mater," he explains.
Dr. Johns was graduated with honors from Furman in 1947.
"The reason I'm going back to Greenville is there are not many people in
my profession who have the opportunity to return to their alma mater as
president," he continues. "It's the only school that could tempt me to leave
Stetson."
Stetson's alumni association has provided Dr. Johns with what he says is
his first job at Furman — to become actively involved in alumni affairs.
"We've been very successful at Stetson in getting alumni involved with the
university's total program," he sums up. "Of course, I mean to work within
the already existing organization at Furman."
Dr. and Mrs. Johns moved to DeLand in 1948 when he began his Stetson
career which includes positions as professor of history and political science,
department head, business manager and vice-president for finance and
planning.
He was serving as vice-president when Stetson's board of trustees named
him president in April 1970.
"Dr. Johns accepted the presidency of Stetson in a very critical time in the
life of the institution," Douglas Stenstrom, '48, board chairman, points out.
"His leadership was magnanimous, and we will always be grateful to him
for his service."
"It is not surprising that Furman would seek a man of the talents and abilities of Dr. Johns," he adds.
"Dr. Johns has shown great leadership in fiscal management and operated
the university on a balanced budget for five consecutive years."
Stenstrom lists other contributions by Johns as: improved relations with the
Florida Baptist Convention; maintenance of high academic standards; con-
continued on page 10
MUSIC CHAIR ENDOWED - A John E. and Aliese Price Endowed Chair of
Music was established at Stetson this April through a $300,000 gift in trust
from Mr. and Mrs. Price, left and center. Organist Paul R. Jenkins was named
to fill the chair during Sunday worship services at Fort Myers First Baptist
Church. He served as organist for the service.
