Alumni association president Tom
Horton believes education Is an exciting
process. (See story page 5.)
*
The Harveys place their faith and
commitment Into Christian mission. (See
story page 11.)
<*
Sociology program takes students into
prison and community project for learning
experience. (See story pages 6-7)
VOL. 7 NO. 6(USPS 990-560)
STETSON UNIVERSITY, DELAND, FLORIDA
MAY 1979
By
Pope A.
Duncan
The spring season for alumni
neetings is underway as I write this
jolumn. While this can sometimes
rtake for a hectic schedule when so
nany other things are happening,
or me it is always a rewarding
axperience to visit alumni meetings.
One of the most exciting aspects is
:o find alumni present whose ages
;over a broad spectrum. At a
neeting recently, 1978 graduates
were rubbing shoulders with a 1927
graduate, and every decade in
between was represented. Additionally, the variety of occupations is
fascinating. Lawyers, accountants,
teachers, businessmen, politicians,
ministers, musicians, housewives,
and many more find their ways to
these meetings.
What is it that binds these diverse
ages and types together? It is
Dommitment to their alma mater and
the kind of educational experience
which she provides.
continued on page 2
Gov. Graham Addresses 96th Commencement
400+ Receive Degrees
Alumni Pledge
Record $68,616
Stetson alumni pledged a record $58,616
in the university's sixth annual Alumni
Annual Fund telephone campaign in March
(a 15 percent increase above the $51,000
goal), according to campaign chairman
Fannie Ashcraft.
An additional $10,000 challenge grant
brought the total to $68,616 for the 20-night
program. The previous record amount
($51,100) was set in 1976.
Approximately 200 alumni, friends and
student volunteers garnered 1,525 pledges
which topped last year's 1,370 pledges.
Funds received from telephone campaign
pledges will help the Alumni Annual Fund
meet its 1978-79 goal of $175,000 by the end
of May, explained Jack F. Fortes, executive
director of annual giving.
Team captains for the telephone campaign
included: Jean Ogletree "Bunny" Lane, '61;
Mel Ott, '56; G. Robert Fox; Judy Weickel;
Bill Leveille; Helen Loxterkamp; Evelyn
Trundle West, '47; Linda R. Parson, '73;
Fred J. Mancinik, '54; Christine M. Aaron,
'65; and Thurmah Barrow, '59.
Steeves Tapped for McEniry
Teaching Excellence Award
Dr. Paul D. Steeves, assistant
arofessor of history, has been
lamed the 1979 recipient of the
V1cEniry Excellence in Teaching
award. The presentation was made
luring the 96th annual Com-
nencement Convocation by Dr.
fope A. Duncan.
"We honor today a teacher whose
toughness and gentleness have
nade Stetson University a more
:houghtful and humane commun-
ty," the citation read. "We are
Droud to honor a scholar whose wit
and wisdom prods us to live up to
the Christian convictions we profess
and to which the life of Hugh
VIcEniry was committed."
The award, established in 1974 in
lonor of the late William Hugh
vIcEniry, former dean of the
jniversity, is based on the "high
attainment of scholarly and teaching
3xcellence."
Dr. Steeves joined the faculty in
1972. He holds degrees from
Washington University of St. Louis
and the University of Kansas. An
acknowledged expert in the Russian
language and in studies in religion
in Russia, he is a leader in the
Stetson Russian Studies program
and conducts Winter Term Study
trips to that nation.
Dr. Steeves is the author of
several books and articles in the
fields of history, religion and
Russian studies. He is an Elder in
First Presbyterian Church and active
in campus activities.
Dr. Steeves is the fifth McEniry
award recipient. Joseph J. Master,
named in 1978 was a speaker during
the Commencement ceremony.
Marc H. Lovelace was the first
honoree (1975). Also previously
named were Kathleen Johnson
(1976), and Robert E. Fort (1977).
D. Robert Graham, 38th governor
of the State of Florida, delivered the
principal address and then was
joined by four distinguished
educators in receiving honors from
Stetson in the school's 96th annual
Commencement Convocation May
20.
Gov. Graham, a native Floridian
and noted advocate of higher
education both as governor and as a
legislator for 12 years, was honored
with a Doctor of Laws degree during
the 2 p.m. ceremony in Edmunds
Center.
W. Morgan Patterson, John C.
Howell and Cyril D. Garrett, all
graduates of Stetson and presently
top administrators in three Baptist
theological seminaries, were honored with Doctor of Divinity degrees.
H. Louis Freund, muralist and
former chairman of the department
of art at Stetson, received a Doctor
of Fine Arts degree.
Dr. Patterson delivered a
baccalaureate sermon Sunday, also
in the Edmunds Center.
The late Jean Flagler Matthews,
selected for honors prior to her
untimely death in March while
vacationing in Hawaii, was honored
posthumously by the university with
a Doctor of Humanities degree. It
marked the first time in the nearly
100 years of the school's existence
that such an honor has been
bestowed in this manner.
More than 400 persons received
bachelor's and master's degrees
from the university, the oldest
chartered institution of higher
education in Florida. The deans of
three schools and colleges of the
university - Liberal Arts, Music and
Business Administration -- presented the candidates to Stetson
president Pope A. Duncan, who
conferred the degrees on behalf of
the trustees.
Kirk Griffith, a senior from
Winter Park, Fla., spoke at the
Commencement Convocation as
graduating class representative.
Griffith was elected for the honor by
the senior class.
continued on page 2
URBAN AND RURAL MINISTERS OF THE YEAR NAMED - Rev. Jerry A.
Passmore, left, pastor of the Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, and Rev.
W. Arnold Shower, right, pastor of the Kathleen Baptist Church, were
named Ministers of the Year at Stetson. The awards, presented by Stetson
president Pope A. Duncan, were made following nominations for the honors
by churches and associations in the state.
