Stetson Cupola 1979-7-6

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.