Stetson Cupola 1987-15-3

STETSON '87 Wrap up - see pages 4-5 for highlights The Stetson University Alumni Newspaper Vol. 15 No. 3 (USPS 990-560) Spring 1987 '87 Alumni awards to Duncans Hollis elected trustee chair New officers of the Stetson University Board of Trustees were elected during the February meeting, according to Dr. Pope A. Duncan. Chairman of the board is Mark C. Hollis of Lakeland, president of Publix Super Markets, Hollis, '56, a trustee of Stetson since 1979, succeeds Wendell Jarrard, Jr., DeLand, who was elected board treasurer. Daytona Beach insurance agency president Hyatt Brown is vice chairman. Brown has served as a member of the board of trustees and also on the College of Arts and Sciences Board of Visitors. Ed Renfroe, DeLand, president and chief operating officer of Barnett Banks of Volusia County, is the new secretary tc the board. Jarrard, a financial consultant, is former president of Holiday House, Inc., and has served on the Stetson board since 1977. Renfroe succeeds Mrs. Marie Dawson, now a trustee. Also a member of the College of Arts and Sciences Board of Visitors, Refroe is the second major Barnett Bank officer to serve as secretary to the board. Pope and Margaret honored by alumni. Dr. and Mrs. Duncan received a scrap- book filled with letters from the alumni council presidents, representing the Stetson National Alumni Association. They were awarded this year's Distinguished Service Awards. Largest corporate grant endows eight Barnett business scholars Mark C. Hollis, '56 New trustees named The Stetson University Board of Trustees has elected four new members and returned one previous member, Dr. Pope A. Duncan, Stetson president, has announced. David Rinker, West Palm Beach, was elected to a five-year term, replacing his continued on page 2 The largest corporate gift in Stetson's 104-year history, a $400,000 grant from Barnett Banks of Florida, was announced by Dr. Pope A. Duncan, Stetson president. The funds will endow eight merit scholarships for outstanding students in business administration. The grant was made jointly by Barnett Banks of Florida, Inc., and Barnett Bank of Volusia County, headquartered in DeLand. "In order to sustain the growth of Florida and to realize the state's potential for leadership in the national business environment, we must attract the best young minds available into the field of business administration," said Bill Fackler, executive vice president of Barnett Banks of Florida. "Stetson's tradition of high quality, innovative programs in business administration and the performance of graduates Barnett has recruited from Stetson prompted us to make this investment in the university's development of future business leaders," he added. "Although Stetson has been fortunate enough to receive numerous major corporate gifts, this one sets a new standard for corporate commitment to the university's academic program," Dr. Duncan said. "This is a generous expression of Barnett's confidence in Stetson's quality and mission. We appreciate the initiative Barnett has taken to challenge other corporate leaders to increase their involvement with the university." The grant will establish an endowment to fund a merit scholarship program for students majoring in business administration.Two Barnett Scholars per year, totalling eight in four years, will receive these grants, based on academic achievement and promise. "This grant illustrates Barnett's support for Florida higher education and the company's special commitment to Stetson," Fackler said. "Although our company always has supported Stetson, this grant represents Barnett's commitment to greater involvement in the university and its goal of nationally recognized academic quality." Dr. Pope A. Duncan and Mrs. Margaret Flexer Duncan were given the highest honor awarded by the Stetson Alumni Association, the Distinguished Service Award, at the Homecoming Banquet. Dr. and Mrs. Duncan each received an award for their dedication during the Duncan years, 1977-1987. Sally Gillespie, Alumni Association president, and Mark Hollis, alumnus and chairman of Stetson's Board of Trustees presented the awards to the retiring president and the first lady of the university. Mrs. Duncan has "quietly, ably and loyally served Stetson for the past 10 years as official hostess and unofficial head cheerleader," Gillespie said. "A self described extrovert, individualist and joiner, Margaret Duncan has created a unique position for herself at Stetson," she added, noting that Mrs. Duncan is the university's official hostess for all events and an appreciative listener at practically all university music performances. "To the alumni she is the president's partner, the smiling face and welcoming voice at homecoming functions. She has exhibited for many years a personal commitment to the ideas and objectives of the Stetson Alumni Association and dedicated service to the advancement of the goals of the university," Gillespie said. Mrs. Duncan is a former math teacher and newspaper columnist. She is a Phi Beta Kappa and Mortar Board graduate of the University of Georgia and she attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. She is a charter member of the Stetson University Women's Club and has served as its president twice. A dedicated member of the First Baptist Church of DeLand, Mrs. Duncan was a Sunday school teacher for more than 35 years. She is a native Georgian and a poet and songwriter. In 1981, she was the winner of the National Pen Women's award for song, winning first place in the inspirational category at Palm Beach. Dr. Duncan will retire as Stetson's seventh president in May of this year. "In the nine years since his inauguration, Dr. Duncan has shown us all what continued on page 2