Stetson Letter 1968-16-3

DELAND Qtetson Jetter ST. PETERSBURG February, 1968 Mrs. Henry Sage was honored at the dedication of Sage Hall in a gala ceremony which featured Dr. John David Maguire. SAGE HALL Formally Dedicated Stetson University dedicated Sage Hall for the physical sciences Friday morning, Nov. 17, with an address by Dr. John David Maguire, associate provost of Wesleyan University, and the introduction of Mrs. Henry J. Sage, a major donor to the building. Dr. Maguire told the gathering of prominent scientists and educators on the DeLand campus that "no university is strong when its work in science lags." Speaking-as a humanist, he noted that he expects his "scientific colleagues to stay as close as possible to the frontiers of their fields." Presented for the first time to the Stetson community was Mrs. Sage. She and her late husband provided a greater portion of the finances for the $1.5 million structure which is a tribute to her family. She was introduced by Dr. Earl Edington, Stetson trustee. Sage Hall is a completely modern facility designed for the departments of biology, chemistry, and physics at Stetson. In addition to lecture- laboratories, seminar rooms, and a science library, the building houses various items of research equipment which was formerly located in the antiquated facilities of Flagler Hall. Four Davis Brothers Honored At Dedication Formal dedication ceremonies were held in DeLand on November 29, 1967, to name Stetson University's new building for the School of Business Administration. Davis Hall, named for the four Davis brothers of Jacksonville, was formally dedicated today during a ceremony attended by three of the four brothers. The Davises, principal stockholders in the Winn-Dixie Food Stores, Inc., made available to Stetson funds for construction of the Recognized as a distinguished businessman, Henry J. Sage was president of H. J. Sage Insurance Co. Inc., New York City, for 27 years before retiring to St. Petersburg with his wife. Their son, Jeffery Carver, was born in December 1911, and died in January of 1920. The Sage's decision to help Stetson provide a new science hall was, according to Mrs. Sage, "determined out of a dream for the education which our son might have had, and which so many young people need." Mr. and Mrs. Sage came to Florida to live in St. Petersburg in 1952 from their home in Newark, N. J. They lived quietly in St. Petersburg and traveled extensively after his retirement. He passed away in St. Petersburg in 1963. Henry Sage, born in Haggerstown, Md., was educated in Brooklyn schools and earned a degree from the New York Law College. He was a Mason for over 50 years and a past-commander of the Jersey Com- mandery. He was a member of the Salaam Temple of the Shrine and collected items of geology and miner- ology as a hobby. His collection is presently on display at the Newark Museum. building. Pioneers in the business world themselves, the Davis brothers have expressed an interest in the development of Stetson's School of Business Administration. A. D. Davis, chairman of the executive committee, noted the progressive aspects of Stetson's school both in the design of Davis Hall as a facility for learning, and in the forward looking curriculum developed by the School's administrators. He pointed with pride to the architectural features incorporated in the building which will cut educational and maintenance costs. The brief ceremony held in front of the building, attracted a large number of business leaders through out Florida. Stetson President Paul F. Geren has previously invited business firms to consider the opportunities and advantages of holding seminars and planning programs on the Stetson campus. Also present were J. E. Davis, chairman of the Board, and Tine W. Davis, senior vice-president in Montgomery, Ala. Austin Davis of Miami was unable to attend. Davis Hall is considered to be one of the most modern schools of business administration at any independent college in the southeast. The two-story structure contains nine classrooms. 17 faculty offices, a faculty lounge, reading room, two seminar rooms, and a lecture auditorium. Stetson's School of Business Administration has operated since 1885 as the State's only private nontax-supported school. For nearly 20 years, it was housed in a surplus Navy building which had been moved to campus from a Naval station close to DeLand in the late 1940's.