VOLUME 17, NUMBER 2
USPS 990-560
WINTER 1989
Homecoming to focus on international ties; honor classes of 1939 and 1964
So, you haven't seen your freshman
roommate since graduation? And, how's
that professor who made your life
miserable your junior year when you
were planning to have fun? Is the
fraternity house still the same? Now's the
perfect time to renew those friendships
and visit your alma mater. Join more
than 1,000 other alumni on campus
March 3, 4 and 5 for Homecoming 1989:
"Stetson Around the World."
More than 25 activities, from the
Reunion Dinner (entertainment by the
former members of the Stetson "Mad
Hatters") to a 25th anniversary open
house for the study abroad program, are
planned for Homecoming weekend. The
theme was chosen because of Stetson's
strong international ties—180 Stetson
alums live abroad.
"Stetson will use this opportunity to
honor alumni whose careers have
involved service throughout the world.
These alumni have served as
missionaries, diplomats, international
entrepreneurs, Olympic officials, and in
many other fields," said Gary Meadows,
executive director of alumni programs.
"The program will recognize international students, both past and present,"
Meadows said.
There are 68 foreign students
currently studying on campus. Opportunities exist for Stetson students to study
at any of the four foreign universities in
Spain, Germany, France and England.
New events include a 25-year
reunion reception, a Friday night
reunion dance co-sponsored by the "S"
Club, and open houses in all academic
buildings for alumni, students and
faculty. There are plenty of opportunities
to spend time with old friends and catch
up on what's going on at Stetson.
Registration forms were mailed
January 12. You didn't receive one?
Call the Alumni Office at (904) 734-4121,
ext. 346.
Trustees pledge $1.7 million to stimulate alumni giving
To increase support for faculty
salaries and the academic program,
Stetson's Board of Trustees has personally pledged more than $1.7 million as a
challenge gift.
"The purpose of the challenge is
simple: to set an example for others to
follow," said Mark Hollis, chairman of
the Board of Trustees. "By initiating the
challenge gift for all alumni and other
donors, the trustees hope to position
Stetson to be among the top ten
universities of its kind in the nation,"
Hollis continued.
The challenge was initiated to
encourage others to contribute to the
Annual Fund, at any dollar amount. The
goal is to double, from 20 to 40 percent,
the number of donors who participate in
Stetson's Annual Fund program.
"Compared to 15 similar institutions,
Stetson's current percentage of donor
participation ranked 15th," said President
Lee. "This Annual Fund Challenge gift
from our Board of Trustees represents
an unprecedented commitment to
academic excellence at Stetson
University."
The Trustee challengers are: Mark
and Lynn Hollis, J. Hyatt and Cici
Brown, Doyle and Mildred Carlton,
Dennis McNamara, Pat and Patricia
Wilson, and an anonymous donor.
A challenge gift represents a
minimum pledge of $125,000 for the
Annual Fund, which can be paid over
five years. Other challengers to date are:
Murray Sams, a member of the College
of Law Board of Overseers; Florida
Power Corporation; Sun Bank of Volusia
County; and the St. Petersburg Times.
The St. Petersburg Times is targeting
their challenge gift to College of Law
alumni to encourage their participation
in the College of Law Annual Fund.
Remember anyone? Here are the Senior
Senators from the Class of '64 as pictured in
the Hatter.
Leadership program to
offer classes; begin
implementing ideas
This year the Hollis Leadership
Development Program will employ a
full-time director, begin the first regular
leadership class, offer a Winter Term
course, and continue 1988 activities.
"Exploring Leadership: Choice and
Responsibility," the first leadership
course to be added to the curriculum,
will be taught by Dr. Ellen Smith. "It
introduces students to the study of
leadership in the broadest sense,"
explained Dr. Charles Vedder, interim
director, and professor of sociology.
Dr. Peter Heine, assistant professor of
management, taught "Leadership and
the Community" during Winter Tenn.
"The students not only had a valuable
experience in terms of learning about
these organizations, but had an emotional experience in helping to provide
needed human service to the community," said Dr. Heine.
The Hollis Leadership Development
Program was established with a $1
million gift from Mark and Lynn Hollis in
September 1986.
The program will continue to
sponsor the Hollis Book Feast, and a
post-commencement workshop for
faculty; reactivate the Woodrow Wilson
Vising Fellow program; and will
continue to implement other recommendations of the task force.
