Stetson Cupola 1995-24-1

Fall 1995 Volume XXI No. 1 Stetson and Baptist Convention sever formal ties Stetson University and the Florida Baptist Convention have agreed to sever all remaining formal ries. Stetson will return to the Convention the $568,000 principal from a 50-year-old endowment fund for pre-ministerial scholarships. Stetson's duPont Library will retain control of the Baptist collection, to which Florida Baptists will continue to have full access. "Stetson had not wished to walk away from its historic partnership, but it was cleat several years ago that ultimately formal separation would be the only means by which either Stetson ot the Convention could maintain integrity of purpose," President Doug Lee said. The Stetson University Board of Trustees endorsed the final separation agreement during its Sept. 15 meeting. After the Flotida Baptist State Convention acts on it in November, a legal document containing the terms of the agreement, which both parties will sign, will replace all previous agreements between Florida Baptists and Stetson. The century-long relationship has resulted in the development of strong leaders for the denomination, outstanding musicians for Baptist churches, and continuing education opportunities like the summer camps for Baptist lay persons and the Winter Pastor's School. The Convention was at one time Stetson's largest single donor, but funding has declined steadily from more than $1 million a year in 1987 to less than $20,000 in 1994. Lee noted that the focus of both institutions has changed with the growing complexity of modern life. Florida and Southern Baptist funds, he said, increasingly are being allocated away from higher education to the growing needs of church development. Stetson's primary focus "is to provide its students with an academically rigorous learning environment which supports their continued development as socially responsible adults," he said. Editor's Note s This Cupola is packed with a great deal of information about recent events at the university as well as exciting plans. Also, notice the new date for Homecoming, Jan. 26 - 27. The cartoons in this issue were drawn by recent grad Danny DeAngelo. In response to requests from our readers for information about Stetson, we've included a brochure featuring Stetson merchandise. Wear your green and white proudly! It's great to hear from our readers. Use the form on page 8 to give us your news. Also on the same page is a form you may use to tefet prospective students. Clip and send! —Jill Woods, '85, Editor woods@suvaxl .stetson.edu P.S. Be sure to use the enclosed envelope only for sending in your donation. Orders for merchandise should be directed to Campus Box 8259. The Convention will continue to fund the ministerial scholarships through May 1996, when they will be absorbed into the more than $5 million in merit and need-based scholarships Stetson funds each year. Annual gifts from the Convention have been replaced by the Challenge Fund, with more than $700,000 in annual gifts, primarily from Stetson trustees and advisory board members; and Stetson's current endowment totals $72 million. "We firmly believe there is a need for an institution like Stetson University, where young people can receive an academically excellent university experience in an atmosphere that encourages them to deal with contemporary issues in the context of a religious commitment," Lee said. Stetson is ranked for 10th year in U.S. News listing of the best Stetson University is recognized as one of the top five teaching universities and one of the top three regional universities in the South in the U.S. News & World Report 1996 special report, "America's Best Colleges." "We are very pleased to have Stetson's strength as a teaching institution recognized by a national publication," said Provost Gene Lubot. "We are strongly committed to undergraduate instruction, although we also have strong graduate programs in law, education, and business, which offer students many possibilities beyond graduation." Noting that Stetson is listed among the top universities in the South for the 10th consecutive year, Interim Vice President fot Enrollment Management Jim Beasley said, "These and other rankings are not absolute indicators of the quality of an institution, but we understand that parents and students consider them important in making enrollment decisions. As long as prospective students and their parents realize that such rankings don't tell the whole story, they can be useful. The match between student and university is the important thing: rankings are only one tool in making that determination." Stetson student named Miss Florida Kristin Ludecke of Eustis, a senior voice major at Stetson is the new Miss Florida. The 19-year-old won her crown as Miss Central Florida for her determination to help young people build self esteem through music and the arts. Ludecke competed in the recent Miss America competition in Atlantic City. She will be enrolled in an independent study course this year as she travels on behalf of the Miss Florida Scholarship Program. (Photo courtesy of C. Ludecke) Trustees approve six new projects A new fitness center and fieldhouse, an addition to the DeLand campus libtary, an athletic center, a tennis center and a new information center for the law school campus were approved by the Board of Trustees at their mid-September meeting. The fitness center has an estimated total cost of $4.5 million, which includes building costs of $3.5 million and an endowment goal of $1 million. It will be built near Griffith Hall on Bert Fish Drive. Mark '56 and Lynn Hollis have committed $2.5 million to name this facility. M.E. Rinker Sr. has pledged $800,000 to name the field house which will be a part of this project. The $4 million library renovation and expansion project will include a two-story wing added to the north side and will increase space by about 27 percent. Partial funding will come from a segment of the Hull estate. The athletic center will adjoin Edmunds Center on the west side and provide improved facilities for university athletes and closely related academic programs. Pat and Patricia '47 Wilson have pledged the lead gift to name this building which has a $ 1.3 million project cost. Six courts fot the Mandy Stoll Tennis Center will be constructed near the soccer field on East Univetsity. An additional six courts will be built as funds become available. The law school is expected to break ground for a new $7.5 milllion Legal Information Center in December 1996. Mark Your Calendar Family Weekend Oct. 20 - 22 President's Parents Council Oct 20 Christmas Candlelight Concerts Dec. 1-3 Yule Log Lighting/Chili Dinner Dec. 5 Homecoming 1996 Jan. 26-27 The Gala, Daytona Beach March 22 Reunion 1996 April 26-28 THE ALUMNI BOARD IS CHALLENGING EACH DISTRICT TO GIVE TO THE ALUMNI FUND. A GRAND PRIZE WILL BE GIVEN TO THE DISTRICT THAT REACHES THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION AND RAISES THE MOST MONEY. WE NEED TO v DECIDE WHAT THAT PRIZE WILL BE...! y ^C msm