Stetson Cupola 1983-11-3

S0N UN,** Stetson Spring 1983 TS0N IjNlvt** Vol. 11, No. 3 (USPS 990-560) DELAND HALL NAMED NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE DeLand Hall, the oldest building in continuous use in higher education in Florida, has been listed officially on the National Register of Historic Places, according to L. Ross Morrell, state historic preservation officer with the Florida Department of State. The designation by the federal government of DeLand Hall as a national historic site is a follow-up on the state of Florida's approval of the building for listing in the Florida Marker Program last year, recognizing DeLand Hall as a site of statewide historic note. DeLand Hall's acceptance into these registries denotes its national significance as a historic landmark. "We are very pleased and excited that DeLand Hall, Stetson's oldest building, has been selected for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Landmarks," said President Duncan. "It is especially appropriate for the university as we celebrate our Centennial Year this year and shows us how our past, present and future are linked as we begin our second hundred years at Stetson." DeLand Hall was constructed in 1884, as the first building on campus, only a year after DeLand Academy opened its doors. The building was a multi-purpose facility, equipped with recitation rooms, chapel, library, offices and gymnasium. DeLand Hall was built by Henry DeLand, the New York baking soda magnate turned Florida land developer. DeLand Hall has been used variously as a dormitory; an administration building; site of the music and mathematics departments; a kindergarten; a fraternity house; a woman's residence hall; and the home of the School of Music until 1969, when the music school moved into the newly erected Presser Hall. For several years after that, DeLand Hall was the headquarters of Stetson's speech and theatre department. The decision to completely Please turn to page 5. Presenting an official resolution of commendation to Stetson University are (left to right) Florida Secretary of State George Firestone, Governor Bob Graham, State Attorney General Jim Smith and State Insurance Commissioner Bill Gunter. Receiving the document are Pope A. Duncan, Dr. Robert McMillan, president of First Baptist Church of Tallahassee and a Stetson trustee, and H. Douglas Lee, Stetson vice president of planning and development. 100 Years of Service... Florida Cabinet Commends Stetson Stetson University was recently recognized for its traditions of excellence and spiritual emphasis in higher education in an official resolution of commendation by Florida Governor Robert Graham and the State Cabinet. The resolution cites Stetson's role in Florida educational history as a contributor of many ' 'firsts" in Florida education. These include the first university in the Sunshine State, the first to admit women as students, the first law school in Florida, the first program of early admission of exceptional high school students, and graduating the first woman law school graduate in Florida who was also the first licensed woman attorney in the state. Also mentioned was Stetson's selection or a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's most prestigious honorary society, in 1982, the first private institution in Florida to be so honored. The resolution cited Stetson's high caliber of administration and faculty throughout its history, the fact that the university is currently in the midst of celebrating its Centennial Year, and the many outstanding achievements of Stetson graduates. The resolution noted that Stetson alumni include three American ambassadors, two U.S. Cabinet officers, four members of Congress, a member of the United States Court of Appeals, two Florida governors, four justices of the Florida Supreme Court, and the incumbent state attorney general, Jim Smith. Dr. Pope A. Duncan, president of Stetson, and Dr. H. Douglas Lee, Stetson's vice president for planning and development, received the resolution document from Governor Graham and members of the Cabinet. Also present at the ceremony was Dr. Robert McMillan, pastor of First Baptist Church of Tallahassee and a member of Stetson University's Board of Trustees. ' 'We are pleased and proud to be honored by our State Cabinet with this resolution, coming as it does during Stetson's celebration of its Centennial Year," said Dr. Duncan upon receiving the resolution. He noted that three incumbent members of the Cabinet—Governor Graham, Attorney General Smith and Commissioner of Education Ralph Turlington—are holders of honorary degrees from Stetson University.