Stetson Cupola 1980-9-1

VOL. 9 NO. 1 (USPS 990-560) STETSON UNIVERSITY, DELAND, FLORIDA JULY 1980 By Pope A. Duncan During a recent effort to clean out my desk, I found a copy of the report made by President Lincoln Hulley to the Board of Trustees of the University in 1930, fifty years ago. As I read the report I was reminded of two almost contradictory truths. One is that we have made great progress. The other is that the problems are almost the same. The report for 1929-30 indicates that there were a total of 430 students enrolled in Stetson University. Of these, only 46 were in law and 16 in business. Fewer than 14 students were in the "Conservatory of Music." This enrollment represented a 17% decrease over the previous year. A part of the reason for that decline was the fact that the student body had been "pruned" to make it possible to meet the standards of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to which Stetson had applied for accreditation. if there has been great progress since 1930, there are also ways in which things have remained the same. The University had diversity in its student body. The president was making the point very strongly that the small college has a great deal to offer. As Hulley put it, "contacts are closer...and by comparison the graduates stand up very well." He complained about the costs associated with the necessity of sending delegates to various associations as well as the cost of recruitment of students. He also complained about the problem of housing students. Hulley was particularly discouraged about the recession which had turned into depression, though he was able to say that the University "was able to keep its head above water...." He was trying his best to see that the landscaping, of the grounds was done in taste, so that the University would be a beautiful place. His greatest concern had to do with the problem of what the investment policy of the University ought to be—whether conservative or more venturesome. (He came down on the conservative side.) He also < indicated that his own emphasis __^ continued on page 2 .0' 445 Degrees Conferred at 97th Commencement Colwell Acclaimed Stetson's 97th annual commencement in May was highlighted with the presentation of 445 degrees, including 44 with honors and three honorary doctorates by Dr. Pope A. Duncan, university president. Three of the graduates, Beth Ann EJy of Biscayne Park, Gregory Daniel Smith of Tampa and Cindy Lou Turner of Fort Pierce, received their degrees summa cum laude. Kenneth P. Kirchman, founder and chairman of Florida Software Services, Inc. and also a trustee of the university, was awarded the honorary Doctor of Laws degree. i Daniel C. Stringer, executive director of the Florida Baptist Convention, delivered the Baccalaureate sermon and was also awarded the honorary Doctor of Christian Service degree. Hodding Carter, III, assisant secretary of state and spokesman for the U.S. Department of State, was awarded the honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Carter was unable to attend the commencement due to the extension of a European trip with newly-appointed Secretary of State Edmund Muskie. The degree was presented in June by Dr. Duncan during special ceremonies in Washington, D.C. Laurie Ann Jackson of Fort Pierce and Charles H. Mufinger of Grove City, Ohio, were selected by the senior class as commencement speakers. Both also graduated with honors. Jackson had served as a head resident and president of the Order of Scroll & Key. Mulfinger, a four-year letterman pitcher on the Hatter baseball team, was also a nominee for Academic All-American in that sport. Highlighting the commencement program was the announcement of the selection of Dr. C. Carter Colwell, professor of English, for the McEniry Excellence in Teaching Award. The award, given annually in honor of William Hugh McEniry, is based on nominations by members of the faculty and student body to a committee of the Faculty Senate. Dr. Marc H. Lovelace, professor of history, served as chairman of the committee and made the announcement at the ceremony. C. Carter Colwell, professor of English, was honored during the 97th Commencement with the McEniry Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. Colwell receives the university's most prestigious faculty award amidst a standing ovation as Dean Thomas Turner and Dr. Pope A. Duncan show their approval. Two of the three nationally prominent recipients of honorary degrees maintain close ties with the university. Kirchman, an alumnus of Stetson as well as a trustee, also serves on the Board of Overseers of the College of Law. He is also a director of the Tangerine Sports Association and the Florida House in Washington. Stringer assumed his responsibilities with the Florida Baptist Convention in the fall of 1979. He formerly held a similar post in the Northwest (Wash.-Ore.) Baptist Convention. President Duncan was assisted by university trustee Amory Underhill in presenting the honorary degree to Hodding Carter, III in Washington. The special ceremonies were conducted in the reception area by the offices of the secretary of state. Colleagues of Carter, state department officials, and several Stetson alumni residing in the Washington area attended the presentation ceremonies. The university also honored 11 members of the Class of 1930 with 50-year diplomas. The class attended a special luncheon prior to the commencement service. Gifts & Grants Total $1.75 Million A total of $1,756,564 in gifts and grants was given to Stetson this past year, it was announced by Frank A. Ford, '62, the 1979-80 annual fund chairman. The total included $440,868 from alumni of the university. "Stetson is extremely grateful for the support of all those who believe in the university and help maintain its high standards of academic excellence," Ford said. "In view of the current economic conditions, many of these supporters gave sacrificially." The goal of $1.2 million in unrestricted gifts was surpassed with the total climbing to $1,260,417. Included in that total was a record $682,267 from Florida Baptists. The alumni giving total included almost $295,000 in unrestricted gifts and about half of the $258,000 given by parents and other friends was unrestricted. Corporations and foundations contributed $214,500 toward the operating fund with $104,500 unrestricted. "Supporters of Stetson's College of Liberal Arts and Schools of Business and Music in DeLand and the College of Law in St. Petersburg are being challenged as never before to assist this outstanding university," Ford stated. "*SH