Stetson Cupola 1989-17-3

Volume 17, Number 3 USPS 990-560 Spring 1989 Stetson's business school to become center for investment studies A one-of-a-kind institute of investment studies, with programming for undergraduate students, professionals, and the community, will soon be a reality in Stetson's School of Business Administration. Funded by a $3.7 million gift from the estate of Sara George, Eustis, Fla., the Roland and Sara George Investment Institute will build on one of the school's best known courses, the Roland George Investment Program. This finance class in which students invest a "real money" portfolio will become a major part of the institute. Meeting for the first time April 3, the institute's board of directors approved steps for establishing the institute as an applied investment study center. A four- way educational program will be implemented for students, alumni, the community and the investment profession. Planned are an expanded undergraduate major in finance with courses in applied investment (including the Roland George Investment Program); investment research and continuing education programs for investment practitioners; and free or low-cost community educational seminars. "This institute will be a one-of-a-kind center for investment studies," said Dr. Bill Wright, dean of the School of Business Administration and chairman of the institute's board. A priority project of the board is to search for an institute director. "The person in this position will be instrumental in guiding the programs in the four areas identified by the board," Dr. Wright said. "The plan is to address every major area of investment and to be on the cutting-edge of investment education and information dissemination. We believe Stetson University will be synonymous with investment in business and educational circles." To achieve the high standards set by the board, the director of the institute will conduct a research-gathering symposium for 30 of the top investment practitioners and educators in the country. They will be invited to DeLand this fall for three or four days of "brain storming" about the "ideal" investment institute. Students Bartley E. Longabach, and Julie Warren, both '89, are two of the students participating in the program, supervised by Dr. James Mallet. "They will, in essence, describe to us the ideal situation and we will digest their ideas and come up with a plan for the institute that will serve educators, practitioners, students and community laypeople," Dr. Wright said. The self-supporting, student-managed Roland George Program, already well known in the business school, was founded with a $500,000 from Mrs. George in 1981. The portfolio has grown to just under $1 million. Sara Staff Jernigan, '35, wins Doyle Carlton Award Sara Staff Jernigan, '35, former chair of the women's board of the U.S. Olympic Development Committee is the 1989 recipient of the Doyle Carlton Award, the highest alumni honor given by the university. "Inside and outside of Stetson, Sara is a dynamic, versatile, enthusiastic and tireless professional worker," said President Lee. "Sara Jernigan has made a special place for herself as an international leader in physical education." An active member of the National Association for Physical Education of College Women, Jernigan has served on its governing board and as president of its southern affiliate. Until her retirement five years ago, Jernigan was a professor in the department of health and physical education at Stetson. Jernigan received her award from J. Hyatt Brown, vice chair of the Board of Trustees. Alums can shape landscape plan for DeLand campus "Alumni's memories of 'romantic' places on campus can shape our plans for the future," landscape architect, Eldon Beck said of the master plan. (See page 2.) A long range campus landscape plan for Stetson's DeLand campus which will enhance the quality of the learning environment and preserve the historic "forest" environment has been approved in concept by the Board of Trustees, and planting has begun. The plan is described by President Lee as "an important first step" in implementing a campus master plan approved in 1988. The themes of both planning documents are respect for the quality of life on campus and in adjacent neighborhoods, retention of historic campus elements and systematic incremental growth that "fits" the present campus environment.