Stetson Cupola 1985-13-2

[ HOMECOMING Home is where the Hats are and Earl Joiner, Paul Langston and J. Ollie Edmunds have called Stetson University home for many years. These three men will be honored during the Homecoming '85 celebration, and thanked for their never-ending contributions to the university. The Stetson University Alumni Newspaper Vol. 13 No. 2 (USPS 990-560) Winter 1985 Hats off to J. Ollie! Homecoming Tribute by Keni Browning When Stetson's chancellor died in April, 1984, he left a university with memories of happy times and achievement for students and faculty. J. Ollie Edmunds, "Jollie Ollie," was the first alumnus to return to a Florida university as president. He served as Stetson's president from 1948 to 1967. Edmunds' ties to Stetson remained strong throughout nearly 60 yearr of service, organizing the Stetson Alumni Association in the late 1920's and serving as a trustee from 1934 until his death. Edmunds was one of Stetson's greatest benefactors. After his retirement, "Jollie Ollie" was named the school's first chancellor. "Those of us in DeLand rememberhimprimarily in terms of his great commitment and dedication to Stetson University," President Pope A. Duncan said at funeral services held for Edmunds. "Perhaps the finest quality in this man was his constant forward-looking stance. He appreciated the past; he knew listory; but he was not shackled Dy it," Duncan said. This forward-looking attitude of Edmunds, is said to have had its most eloquent expression in Edmunds' keynote address at the September, 1982 Convocation ceremony, marking the beginning of Stetson's Centennial Celebration. Edmunds said, "I remind you of the words of our founder, Henry Deland, who as an old man, spoke with tears in his voice when he returned to this campus for a special Convocation, 'I have dreamed a dream. Not now, but later, my dream will come true.' "To Henry Deland and others among the great cloud of witnesses who encompass us this morning, I think we can say: Mr. DeLand, we have not abandoned your dream. What is past is prologue, and what is best is yet to be, Edmunds said. Edmunds' commitment to excellence in education in a Christian setting and his concern for the students was felt by all individuals who knew him, said Susan Bauerle, alumni director. "This is why we chose to salute J. Ollie Edmunds during this year's Homecoming celebration," she said. That famous 1982 Convocation address was videotaped and it will be shown Saturday, February 23 at the Homecoming Banquet. "Hats Off to 'Jollie Ollie1 is the theme," Bauerle said. Dr. J. Ollie Edmunds during his last formal appearance on campus. Alumni to give Top Hat salute to two of the best Earl Joiner celebrates 30 years Langston Retires to classroom Dr. E. Earl Joiner Dr. E. Earl Joiner, a 1949 Stetson graduate, began teaching in the religion department in 1955 and this Homecoming marks his 30th year at Stetson. "Dr. Joiner accomplishes a tremendous amount of work whether in academic pursuits, denominational service, university service, or community service," said Bill Allen, director of university advancement. "No one who knows him can figure yout how he has managed for years to be so involved in so many activities and still do the quality job he does. I grow weary just trying to list the things he has done," Allen said. Jomer has taught every course offered by the religion department at some time or other, but his versatility doesn't stop with instruction. Joiner serves as the grievance officer for university employees, curator and secretary-treasurer for the Florida Baptist Historical Society, president of the West Volusia Council on Human Relations, and he has written 50 articles a year during the past six years for the Florida Baptist Witness. Joiner admits that he is involved in many things, but it never seems to be too much. "Somehow everything gets done. I try to make projects serve a dual purpose," Joiner said. As minister of the Bulah Baptist Church in Putnam County for 18 years, Joiner combines his Biblical studies at Stetson with sermons at the church and the Sunday School Lessons he writes for the Wit- the Baptist state ness, continued on page 4 "I thought that by giving Paul Langston time to compose, it would satisfy his urge and he would return to the dean position wholeheartedly," said Pope A. Duncan, Stetson's president. "But, it in fact, made him more serious about his composing. I guess reverse psychology doesn't always work," he laughed. Langston's "Petros," the oratorio about the life of the Apostle Peter, debuted during Stetson's Centennial year and cemented Langston's love of composing. It was then Langston chose to return to the classroom and composing. "I miss the students and I miss the chance to compose," Langston said. "Now, instead of devoting my time to administrative duties, I can devote it to composing and teaching. Someone else can handle the paperwork and I get to have some fun," he said. "I am a teacher at heart." Langston considers himself a church musician. He was assistant professor of church music from 1960 to 1963, when he was made dean of the music school. He has worked in Episcopal, Methodist, and Baptist Churches in North Carolina, Kentucky, New Jersey, and Florida. His teachings have included score reading, composition, music theory, music history, continued on page S Dr. Paul Langston Homecoming... Be There! mmmmm u,mmmMllm. Mt