Winter 1990
Volume XVIII No. 2
Russian Studies Program gets boost from Knight Foundation
With a $250,000 grant from the Knight
Foundation, matching funds and other
institutional support, Stetson University
has made a commitment of $1.4 million
to expand an already strong Russian
studies program, creating a premier
program and possibly one of the best and
most comprebensive in the nation.
"A number of schools claim to have
Russian studies programs," said Dr. Paul
Steeves, program director. 'The interdisciplinary program at Stetson includes five
professors with expertise in their chosen
fields of economics, music, history,
political science and geography. The
grant will allow us to expand to one of
the best programs in the nation."
Eminent Russian historian, Serge
Zenkovsky, began the program in 1958.
In 1972, Steeves came to Stetson as
professor of history and director of
Russian studies. He is a nationally recognized Russian scholar.
In studying the Soviet Union, students
are exposed to a society that challenges
his or her assumptions about political,
economic and cultural values, Steeves
said.
"Put simply, Russian studies makes
students think about the world around
them. It is a program designed to enrich
a liberal arts curriculum by broadening
the horizons of its students as it develops
academic skills," he said.
Additions to the program include a
professor of Russian language and
literature, more library and media
resources, and an student exchange
"Let Us Entertain You" at Homecoming 1990
Entertainment by Lewis Grizzard and
several new events are scheduled for
alumni who return to
DeLand for Homecoming
1990. "Let Us Entertain
You" is the theme for the
February 23-25 event.
Lewis Grizzard, a nationally-syndicated
columnist, brought to
campus by the Stetson
Union Board, will headline on Friday evening.
New events include the
Hatter Howl, a pep rally
before the Saturday night
basketball game, and the
Golden Hatter Reception to honor all alumni
who graduated in 1939 and before.
An admissions session is planned for
college-aged children of alumni, and
there will be an Alumni/Faculty/Student
"Olympics" in the Forest of Arden Saturday.
Alumni can get a "Stetson Update"
Saturday morning, and also hear about
Lewis Grizzard
the restructuring of the national alumni
association.
Other highlights
include the Hatter
Showcase, a display of
student talent around
Holler Fountain, and the
All-alumni dance. The
dance, to be held at the
Hilton, will feature a DJ
playing records from the
40s through the 80s.
The Saturday afternoon Decade Parties
have been moved back
on campus to enable
alumni to visit other
graduates.
Back by popular
demand is the "real" 5K road race on
Saturday morning.
The time for tbe basketball game has
been moved up to 7:30 p.m. to permit
Sunshine Network to televise it.
If you do not have a registration form,
or you need more information, call the
Alumni Office at (904) 822-7480.
program with Moscow State University.
'The goal is to create a Russian
studies program that combines the
breadth available at a research university
with the close faculty supervision of a
small, liberal arts college. It will serve as
the model in developing other distinctive
programs university-wide," Steeves said.
Pikes suspended for four yean
Stetson's Campus Life Committee has
suspended recognition of Delta Upsilon
chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha as an official
student organization for four years. The
committee determined that tbe fraternity
violated university policy against hazing
during an off-campus activity the night of
Nov. 9,1989. The chapter denied the
charges.
The national Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity has suspended the charter of the
local chapter and will recommend
revocation of the charter at the 1990
national convention, according to Steve
Cox, national executive director.
Provost Louis Brakeman upheld the
decision of the Committee after an
appeal by the chapter. He called hazing
"repugnant to the values of this University and ... vigorously opposed by national
fraternity leadership."
The Campus Life Committee's action
followed a two-week investigation of the
incident by Mrs. Amy Tamberrino,
director of student life at Stetson.
The Campus Life Committee, with
equal numbers of faculty and student
members, has authority in matters
involving allegations of student life
policy violations by campus organizations.
When recognition of a campus
organization is suspended, the group
cannot participate in any student
activities, use the name of the organization in connection with any university
activity, or make use of any university
facilities. The national fraternity may
apply for recognition in the fall of 1993.
