Summer 1997
Volume XXII No.
Middleton
Alumna helps provide
low-cost counseling
for those in need
Community service
is a way of life for
Merrilee Middleton,
'53, cofounder of the
Center for Group
Counseling, a Boca
Raton organization with
the mission of "helping
people help themselves."
Founded in 1973
with the goal of providing professional
counseling to those who could not afford
private treatment, the Center for Group
Counseling has helped to meet the mental
health needs of over 30,000 men, women and
children in South Florida.
"The idea of professionals volunteering
their services was very avant garde," said
Middleton, who earned her Psy.D. degree
from Nova University in 1988. Over 50 of
the Center's 350 volunteers have a master's
degree or higher in psychology, social work or
counseling.
"Stetson has really launched me in many
ways," said Middleton, who offers pre-
doctoral internships to Stetson students
through the Center. A leader in student
government, Pi Beta Phi, and the Women's
Council during her years as a student, she
later returned to help George Hood establish
Stetson's Counseling Center.
Middleton, who was a state delegate to
the President's Summit for America's Future
last April, now serves as a special advisor to
the Center. Recognized as one of President
Bush's thousand Points of Light, the Center
offers programs ranging from children's play
therapy to senior adult group counseling,
from family communications services to
counselor training.
U.S. News: Stetson third in Southern regional universities
Stetson's oldest
alumna, EUa Reardon
Kelley, '48, center,
celebrated her 109th
birthday March at the
DeLand Convalescent
Center, with, from left,
Pope Duncan, Amory
Cnderhul, '36, Linda
Davis, '73, Mary
Hood, Qeorge Hood,
Freda Lane Ebert,
'80, and Fred Lane,
'52. Kelley, who was
60 when she
graduated, received a
key to the city from
DeLand Mayor David
Rigsby. (Photo/Cheryl
Downs)
Stetson Weekend '98 looks both ways:
Into the future as well as the past...
Alumni attending Stetson Weekend 1998,
Feb. 6-8, will have two special opportunities —
one a glimpse into the future, and one a look
back into the past.
The first is a series of events marking the
dedication of the Hollis Center, a new fitness
and wellness facility built around the swimming
pool. Designed as a new center for student life,
it will also create new campus traditions, such as
the ringing of its Victory Bell on special
occasions.
The second opportunity includes a concert,
reception and dinner honoring the late Harold
"Prof Giffin on Saturday, Feb. 7. Alumni who
sang with "Prof may sing in the celebration
choir led by Bing Vick, '66, a "Prof protege
now teaching at FurmanUniversity.
Combining the best featutes of Homecoming
and Reunion, Stetson Weekend will be a time
fot all alumni to meet on campus, and for the
classes of 1943, '48, '53, '58, *63, '68, '73, '78,
Stetson University tanks third among the
South's top regional universities in U.S. News
& World Report's 1998 special edition,
"America's Best Colleges." Fot the 1 l'h yeat,
Stetson is recognized as one of the best
comprehensive regional universities in the
nation. Ranked fourth in 1997, Stetson shares
the third place spot this year with James
Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.
The U.S. News rankings are based on a
study of fout-yeat acctedited colleges and
universities, combining the results of an
"academic reputation" survey of college
presidents, provosts and deans of admission
with statistical data on retention, faculty
tesoutces, student selectivity, financial
resources, and the alumni giving rate during the
1995-96 academic year.
'83, and '88 to come together for special Reunion
events.
"It will be a fun event," said Gary Meadows,
executive ditectot of the alumni association. "We
ate planning the Second Annual Fraternity Row
Barbeque, bigger and bettet class banquets, a new
55th year class reunion, a home basketball game,
receptions, tours, and more."
Call the Alumni Association Office at 904-
822-7480 fot more information.
Alumni choir to honor 'Prof
The School of Music will celebrate the life
of the late Harold "Prof Giffin, longtime music
professor, during Stetson Weekend.
Alumni who sang with "Prof are invited to
perform his favorite music during a 2 p.m.
concert on Saturday, Feb. 7, in Elizabeth Hall.
Rehearsals are set for Thursday, Feb. 5, at 7:30
p.m.; Friday, Feb. 6, at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.;
and Saturday, Feb. 7, at 12:30 p.m. A detailed
letter has been mailed to music majois, asking
singers to register by Nov. 1. Others who
would like to sing may call the Music School
for more information at 904-822-8950.
Also, a book of "Prof stories is being
compiled to raise funds for the Giffin Scholarship. Please send your stories to the Alumni
Office, 421 N. Woodland Blvd. Unit 8257,
DeLand, FL 32720 or e-mail them to
[email protected].
