Stetson Cupola 1989-18-1

Fall ll)Sl> Cupola Alumni News Jfc»of Stetson University Volume Will No. Rinker Foundation gift creates tax and accountancy institute Stetson's new tax and accountancy institute will offer an annual national seminar for tax lawyers and accountants, increase the graduate course offerings in taxation, and make possible the addition of a new faculty position in tax, according to Dr. H. Douglas Lee, president of Stetson University. The institute, established with a $2.08 million gift from the M.E. Rinker, Sr. Foundation of West Palm Beach, was founded in December 1988. 'The creation of an institute for tax and accountancy at Stetson will increase the university's visibility in accounting circles and strengthen an already prominent centerpiece program in the School of Business Administration." said Dr. William Wright, dean of the school. The gift will benefit the Department of Accountancy, which will be renamed the M.E Rinker, Sr. Institute for Tax and Accountancy. Within the institute, the annual M.E. Rinker, Sr. Tax Conference will be funded, with programming focused on tax legislation and procedures. "We will be adding a faculty position in tax, and we will bring to Stetson nationally Sampson Hall, Stetson's first library, undergoes renovation Thirteen years ago, Stetson University began the renovation of Flagler Hall, site of the state's first law school, as the first step in an ambitious multi million dollar restoration of historic buildings on the DeLand campus and the entire St. Petersburg facility. The restoration of six buildings on the DeLand campus will be finished in late November 1989 with the complete interior and exterior renovation of Sampson Hall, the university's first library. A $784,000 contract was awarded by the university in mid June. Included in the project is a new heating and air conditioning system, a new electrical system, and complete remodeling of Sampson Gallery of Art and all art studios and upstairs classrooms. Built in 1908 with funds donated by steel magnet/philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and Mrs. John B. Stetson, Sampson Hall served as the university library until a new facility was constructed in 1964. The renovation project will restore the building's original exterior and interior beauty while making it handicap-accessible and more functional, said Dudley Howe, director of the physical plant. All of the work will be done in accordance with national preservation standards, he noted, because the building will be among those considered if the university seeks an historic district for the campus. An historic survey of campus and adjacent neighborhood buildings, funded by the Horida Division of Historic Resources and the Jessie Ball duPont Foundation, is scheduled for this fall, Howe said. Sampson Gallery will be closed until the spring semester. The university's permanent art collection has been placed in safe storage while the work is underway. The restoration is scheduled for completion in late November 1989. By Homecoming in February 1990, alumni will see a "new" Sampson Hall. known experts in national and international taxation," said Joe Master, professor and chair of accounting and information systems. The first floor Accounting Department area and the Lecture Auditorium in Davis Hall also will be named in honor of Mr. Rinker. Stetson's new Griffith Hall is open for business For the first time two student services, admissions and financial planning, are together--in Stetson's newest building, Griffith Hall. Two alumni, Edna and Jack Griffith (both '52) of Plantation, Fla., The Griffith Foundation, and the Charles A. Frueauff Foundation, Inc., New York, made the building possible. The Griffiths were honored during the dedication of Griffith Hall Sept. 15. "This is the first step toward a welcome plaza concept for the center of campus, which will give Stetson a more impressive and hospitable-looking front door," said President Lee. The 6,400 square foot building is located near the northeast wing of the Carlton Union Building. Griffith Hall incorporates several architectural characteristics of the C.U.B. such as copper roofs, arches and pillars, which unite the look of the two buildings. Griffith Hall was occupied in June. Approximately 694 new students for 1989-90 have been admitted through Stetson's new front door, according to the dean of admissions, Linda Glover. The number of new comers--501 freshmen and 193 transfers-is up from 675 last year. Mark Your Calendar Parents' Weekend Oct. 27-29, 1989 Stetson vs. Duke Feb. 12, 1990 Stetson Homecoming Feb. 23-25, 1990 Reunion Weekend April 20-22, 1990