Stetson Cupola 1992-21-1

of Stetson University Fall 1992 Volume XX No. 1 Stetson ranks fourth in southern regional universities in US, News & World Report ii r COLLEGES A M I R I C * ' f BEST ■ Stetson University ranks fourth among southern regional universities and colleges, according to U.S. News & World Report's 1992 special report, "America's Best Colleges," which appears in their Sept. 28 issue. Stetson ranked first in its category among Florida universities. "We are delighted to be near the top of the list of so many fine universities," said Stetson President H. Douglas Lee. "We don't consider such WS.HOOES hii surveys as a game of 'who's first?": The most important thing is what we do to improve the quality of the Stetson experience." In this yeat's top 15 regional universities in the south, North Carolina's Wake Forest University again ranked first; the University of Richmond in Virginia, second; and Kentucky's Berea College, third. In 1991, Stetson and Berea tied for thitd place. Rollins College is listed as fifth. Another honor. For the thitd consecutive year, Stetson has been selected for the John Templeton Foundation Honor Roll for Character Building Colleges. There are only 112 universities and colleges included in the 1992 national listing. Stetson and Baptists alter funding relationship A proposed new relationship between Stetson Univetsity and Florida Baptists will increase the need for Stetson's alumni and friends to strengthen theit commitment to the univetsity, Ptesident Doug Lee says. A new funding plan, to be voted on duting the Nov. 9-11 Florida Baptist Convention, calls for Stetson to relate in the future to individual Florida Baptist churches, not to the Convention. Each church would decide whethet to designate part of its Cooperative Program contributions for Stetson. Total contributions would be capped at $312,000 annually. Stetson and Convention officials jointly proposed the new plan this summer to replace the 1990 agreement, under which allocations to Stetson were to be reduced $400,000 (from $950,000 to $550,000) over five years, Lee said. "Stetson has recognized the denomination's need to change its priorities/fund allocations. We continue to seek ways to preserve the motal integrity of the 1990 Covenant and the historic relationship between the university and Flotida Baptist churches," Lee explained. "I hope that any changes in the relationship will be constructive, and that Flotida can avoid the turmoil other higher education institutions and their conventions have experienced." If the new agreement is approved in November, individual Baptist churches would determine whether Stetson University would receive Cooperative Ptogram funds from congregations. The proposal calls for churches to check a box on the state convention's remittance form. The university would receive up to $312,000 pet year; if money is received above that amount, it would be returned to the state Convention. "We recognize that many churches wish to maintain the historic relationship between Flotida Baptists and Stetson," Lee said. "We wish to make it possible for them to do so." The proposal has been approved by the Convention's State Boatd of Missions. Florida Baptist funding to Stetson 1990 $950,000 1991 $800,000 1992 $700,000 1993 ($312,000 maximum) School of Business receives accreditation Stetson Univetsity's School of Business Administration has been accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, one of two business school accrediting agencies approved by the fedetal Department of Education. The specialized business school accreditation was sought last yeat for the first time in Stetson's history, Business School Dean William Wright said. "We have always been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as a part of Stetson," he said, "but we decided to move beyond that and seek specialized accreditation in business because of the growth of our business program." Enthusiasm builds for Carter's visit to campus Former President Jimmy Carter will visit Stetson on Oct. 26 for the second annual Stewart Lecture, sponsored by the Institute for Christian Ethics. "The announcement of his visit has brought an overwhelming response from alumni and the general public," according to Dixon Sutherland, director of the institute. "We are pleased to be able to bring President Carter to campus, and delighted with the enthusiasm for his visit." The university is investigating the possibility of an overflow auditorium with closed circuit viewing to accommodate those unable to get tickets, according to Dr. Suthetland. President Carter will be on campus for about five hours and spend time with students in a question and answer session and a reception for student volunteers. He will deliver a public address at the Edmunds Center at 7:30 p.m. New student enrollment up over 1991 figures Stetson welcomed 671 new students to campus this fall, up approximately 40 students over last year. They include 221 men and 282 women. Anothet 65 men and 103 women are transferring from other colleges and univetsities. DeLand campus enrollment is expected to remain at a little over 2,000. The College of Law is experiencing record enrollment with 633 students. Stetson's freshmen have strong academic credentials, according to Linda Glovet, dean of admissions. Nearly 40 percent of them had high school grade point averages of 3.5 or higher and 12 percent earned all A's. Seventy-five percent of the new students ate Floridians, 9 percent come from the Nottheast, with the rest from around the country and the world. Mark Your Calendar Parents Weekend Yule Log Lighting Candlelight Concerts Homecoming '93 Reunion '93 Oct. 23 - 25 Dec. 1 Dec. 4, 5, 6 Jan. 22 - 24 April 16 - 18 (Reunion '93 is for classes ending in 3 and 8, i.e. '43, '48, '53 '58, '63, '68, 73, 78, '83, '88) ■9T J7W