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Vol. 16 No. 1 (USPS 990-560) Fall 1987
Stetson
CUPOLA
Expectations of a new administration
Dr. Lee pledges his support to faculty as "the heart and soul of
Stetson."
Help us preserve Stetson's great heritage—this is
what Stetson University's eighth president, Dr. H.
Douglas Lee, is asking of alumni and friends of the
institution.
In turn, he pledges to try to live up to their expectations: to keep the quality of the academic experience high, and to support the faculty as "the heart
and soul of Stetson."
Dr. Lee outlined what he believes the university's
various constituencies expect of him, and what he
will expect of them, during his first address to faculty and students at the 105th convocation Sept. 2 in
the Forest of Arden.
"We do have a great heritage, and we must preserve it," Dr. Lee declared. Whatever we have given
in the past, we must continue to give in the future.
Stetson will not achieve its goal of academic quality
with anything but our very best level of support."
As president, he expects the faculty to "move beyond the position of stability and great teaching to
the position of renewal and responsibility. . . . The
students and alumni . . . are depending on you to
protect and improve the quality of our academic
program, and ... you simply must succeed."
To assist faculty in reaching these goals, Dr. Lee
announced a $2 million endowment fund for faculty
development, established by the late Dr. J. Ollie Edmunds and his family. The program will support faculty research, new course development, and sabbati
cal leaves. A total of 20 grants will be made each
year.
Dr. Lee also revealed that the university's fourth
president and only alumnus to hold that position,
was responsible for the fund which supports the
McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching, awarded
annually at Stetson. Noting that Dr. Edmunds "was
and is Stetson . . . the grand old man of the university," he recalled an admonition Dr. Edmunds has
given him: "Young man, don't you ever forget that
the key to Stetson University is its faculty . . . they
are the heart and lifeblood of this university."
He urged students to "pursue your humanity . . .
understand who you are as a person . . . and develop
the competency and skill to do a worthwhile task,
fill a need or live a productive life." He challenged
them to "pursue a relationship with God and to
strive to develop every skill that God has given to
you."
"The danger is to see these expectations and the
future as the other person's problem," Dr. Lee declared. "We can only achieve our goals if we unite, if
we make both an individual and a corporate commitment to the task at hand. I believe we will commit, that we will unite, and that this day . . . truly
marks a new beginning ... in the life of Stetson
University. . . . May God give us the wisdom, the
stamina, and the courage to achieve the task that is
before us."
Busy year ahead for Stetson community
The 1987-88 academic year will be a busy one at
Stetson with the inauguration of the university's
eighth president, Dr. H. Douglas Lee, the opening of
Stetson's first sorority houses and a new focus for
some old programs.
Although inaugural events are set for November 5
and 6, Dr. Lee and his cabinet have been deep into
planning the new presidency. There were two intensive planning sessions this summer—one on campus,
the other a week-long retreat—to set agendas for the
coming year.
Dr. Lee, the deans of the four schools and the
administrative deans are looking at a five-year university-wide plan in terms of programs and opportunities. These sessions are essential for the administration, Dr. Lee said, since the university has three
other new faces in key positions: Dr. Louis Brake-
man, provost; F. Mark Whittaker, vice president for
university relations; and Dr. Gary Maris, dean of the
College of Arts and Sciences.
The first sorority houses in the history of the 105-
year institution opened this fall. The Sorority House
Complex, between May and Minnesota Avenues,
provides housing for all women's Greek organizations. The $1.6 million project accommodates 112
students now using other university housing. West
University Hall is being closed.
Other construction on campus this summer included a new roof for the Gillespie Museum of Minerals, phase II of the renovation on Elizabeth Hall
(primarily air conditioning estimated at $375,000),
remodeling of classrooms in Davis Hall (business
building), redecorating the faculty lounge in the
Carlton Union Building and remodeling and redecorating the President's Home.
In the School of Music, Dr. James Woodward,
dean, has set the date for the Contemporary Music
Festival, Jan. 15-22, with the focus on chamber music. The Church Music Workshop, an alternate year
event, will now be held annually. This year, Dr.
Donald Neuen, Eastman School of Music, is guest
lecturer. An Organ Recital Series will be announced
soon and Bobby Adams, new assistant professor of
music will be directing the University Orchestra and
teach music education.
In the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Gary
Maris, dean, has announced 14 new faculty members. The chemistry department, using a National
Science Foundation grant, will begin implementing
microscale techniques in laboratory experiments,
which could revolutionize chemistry instruction.
The Latin American Studies program is being
strengthened.
In the School of Business Administration, Dr. William Wright, dean, has announced new faculty in the
management and marketing areas and a focus on the
finance department for course expansion and possible faculty additions. The master of business administration program has been entirely revamped. MBA
students now may tailor their program by choosing
more electives, and will pay less per credit hour.
The Division of Continuing Education, under the
direction of Dr. Douglas Strickland, will increase the
number of Elderhostel programs, giving Central
Florida senior citizens a chance to participate at a
reduced "commuter rate." The division also plans a
(please see Stetson, page 8)
