Stetson Cupola 1987-15-4

Daydreaming gets the OK from one Stetson professor See page 4 The Stetson University Alumni Newspaper Vol. 15 No. 4 (USPS 990-560) Summer 1987 H. Douglas Lee becomes eighth president of Stetson Univ. A former professor of Christian ethics, who believes in strategic planning and reads books on historical geology, biology and anthropology for relaxation, is the eighth president of Stetson University. Dr. H. Douglas Lee has been preparing for the Stetson presidency for a full year as president-elect. He came to Stetson in 1978 as vice president for development, was named vice president for planning and development in 1980, and became executive vice president in 1983. Dr. Lee has a strong academic and administrative background. He holds a bachelor's degree in English, with a minor in business administration, from the University of Richmond in Richmond, Va.; a master of theology degree and a bachelor of divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, N.C; and a doctorate in religion from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. His doctoral dissertation dealt with Christian ethics and he was a research assistant in that area while at the University of Iowa. As a professor of religion at Virginia Intermont College, he taught courses in ethics and politics and he originated courses in psychology and religion. He remains a member of the Society of Christian Ethics. Dr. Lee became heavily involved in academic long-range planning at Wake Forest University, where he designed the process for relating academic priorities directly to university-wide fund raising programs. He brought this interest to Stetson, developing the university's first comprehensive long-range plan and five-year budget. Associates say determination is a major characteristic of Lee, who prominently displays above his desk the picture of an exhausted long distance runner. Discipline and determination sound in his voice as he speaks of his aspirations for Stetson: "We have built a strong academic program and we have achieved financial stability. Our critical task now is to capitalize on our please see page 4 Dr. Lee and wife Margaret, their children Elizabeth and Gregory, and dog, Barkey. Maris, Whittaker, Parson assume new leadership positions The search is over for a new dean and reorganization has taken place in the development division. Dr. Gary L. Maris, '62, has been appointed dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Stetson. He was acting dean during the 1986-87 academic year. "Dr. Maris has distinguished himself at Stetson as a faculty member, as chair of the Faculty Senate and as acting dean of the College of Arts and Sciences," said Stetson President Dr. H. Douglas Lee. "He is totally committed to the mission of the university, and I am delighted that he will be a part of our administrative team." Noting that the search for a dean was conducted nationwide, Dr. Louis Brakeman, provost, said that, "Dr. Maris' knowledge of the college, when combined with his proven administrative skill, made him an obvious first- choice candidate for the dean's position. He will play a major role in charting the future of the college and the university." An expert in international law, Dr. Dr. Gary Maris F. Mark Whittaker Linda R. Parson Maris has been a member of the Stetson ,, . faculty since 1965 and is a professor of New development team political science. He holds the doctor's F. Mark Whittaker, vice president for and master's degrees from Duke Univer- college relations at Sweet Briar Col- sity and a bachelor's degree from Stetson, lege, Miss Linda R. Parson, director of He received Stetson's highest faculty development at Stetson, and Mrs. honor, the McEniry Excellence in Teach- Patricia Germelman, research assistant ing Award, in 1984. He has chaired the at Sweet Briar College will be assuming Faculty Senate three times. He is one of new positions in the development divi- the founders of the university's unique sion at Stetson University in prepa- college-level Model Senate program ration for a comprehensive campaign, and of the Model U.N. program and is a Whittaker has been named vice presi- memberofPhi Beta Kappa and of Omi- dent for university relations, Miss cron Delta Kappa leadership fraternity. Parson, '73, has been promoted to asso ciate vice president for development; and Mrs. Germelman is director of development services. "Mr. Whittaker is known nationally as one of the top advancement officers in the country. The Board is very excited about his coming," said Mark Hollis, chairman of Stetson's Board of Trustees. Whittaker's appointment is part of a reorganization of the university's advancement division, Dr. H. Douglas Lee said. Whittaker, 41, will lead the campaign effort and be responsible for coordinating the development program, alumni relations, and public relations. He has been at Sweet Briar since 1971 where he directed two national campaigns, including a five-year $15.2 million comprehensive campaign, and assisted in the completion of a third capital gifts program. He also directed five challenge grant campaigns. Miss Parson, a native Floridian, received her bachelor's degree from Stetson. She earned a master's degree in insti- please see page 4