VOL. 8 NO. 2 [USPS 990-560]
STETSON UNIVERSITY, DELAND, FLORIDA
SEPTEMBER 1979
By
Pope A.
Duncan
Registration is over and the
numbers are in. Would you believe
it, we have a record number of
students on the DeLand campus. We
were not trying to set a record, but it
happened. The dormitories are
bulging, and we have had to add a
number of sections of classes to
those which have been scheduled.
There is nothing inherently great
about such a record, and we do not
intend to become significantly
larger. That would not fit our
purposes. Nevertheless, it is
encouraging to know that Stetson is
still attracting students in the midst
of a world where there are many
options for almost any student.
Not only do we have quantity, but
we have quality. This centennial
class which has just enrolled, the
Class of 1983, I believe will prove to
be the best class yet. Thus far, at
least, they are showing themselves
to be eager and conscientious
students. Like all classes of Stetson
students, they are delightful!
In addition to being the
Centennial Class, this freshman
group has another thing going for
them. The second night they were
continued on page 2
Centennial class receives special welcome
97th Year Opens with Record Enrollment
The Centennial Class received a special welcome at a
reception for new students held at the president's home
during orientation. The record number of
undergraduates made their presence known in the
bookstore by packing the aisles preparing for the
opening of classes.
DAN C. STRINGER, executive director-treasurer of the Northwest
Baptist Convention (Washington and Oregon) has just been elected
executive secretary-treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention by the FBC
State Board of Missions. He and Mrs. Stringer were greeted by Pope A.
Duncan at a September dinner in their honor at Lake Yale hosted by the
State Board. The Rev. Stringer has served in the Northwest since 1971 and
will assume his leadership responsibilities in Florida in November.
The 97th year opened with a
record enrollment and a special
welcome to the Centennial Class by
Stetson President Pope A.Duncan.
Latest figures on registration,
which continues through the month,
indicated a total of more than 2,000
undergraduate students, which surpasses even the veteran-inflated
post World War II years.
The incoming freshmen have been
dubbed the Centennial Class since
their 1983 graduation coincides with
the 100th anniversary of the
university.
The initial days of September
saw new students undergoing
testing and orientation.
Convocation formally opened the
new school year with Dr. Duncan
introducing ndw faculty members,
presenting academic awards to
students, and challenging all to
unite within a true spirit of
community to achieve the goals of an
education.
The formal school-opening ceremony, held in the Forest of Arden,
was preceded by the traditional
academic processional. Seniors were
seated in a special section.
"We symbolize in the convocation
the making of us into a single body
for the tasks of the year," Dr.
Duncan said. "We come from many
places—most of the counties of
Florida, many of the states of the
union, and many countries of the
world.
"We represent many stages on
the journey within the university; we
have diverse interests and majors;
our goals differ. But there is a
commonality which we share. We
are part of a single university. We
have responsibility for each other,"
Dr. Duncan said.
The record-breaking enrollment
is felt in the dormitories where many
students share triple rooms and the
guest rooms have been impressed
into student use.
