Stetson University - Hatter Yearbook (DeLand, FL)

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Presidents Lead Stetson Through One Hundred Years John Forbes Lincoln Huiley William Sims Allen Dr. John Forbes, the first pre- sident of Stetson University, served from 1885 to 1904. Born and raised in Rochester, New York, he graduat- ed from the University of Rochester, then taught Latin and Greek at Brockport State Teachers ' College. In the fall of 1885, when Dr. Forbes accepted the presidency of DeLand Academy, the campus consisted of four acres of land and one building, the present DeLand Hall. Forbes, a very aggressive and able man, was responsible for interesting Mr. John B. Stetson in contributing toward the construction of a sorely needed dormitory. The original Flagler Hall and the present Stetson, Chaudoin, Elizabeth, and Sampson Halls were ail buili during Dr. Forbes ' pre- siden ' . ' . Stetson University ' s second president, Dr. Lincoln Huiley, received his Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University, another Ba- chelor of Arts degree and his Master ' s degree from Bucknell University, and his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Chicago. Dr. Huiley was an autocratic individual, a man of great intelligence, and an exceptionally fine orator. Dr. Huiley built Stetson from a small school with little equipment or endowment in 1904 to a strong university with state-of-the-art equipment and modern buildings in 1934. During his presidency. Dr. Huiley donated the chimes which were placed in the cupola of Elizabeth Hall and began con- struction of the tower that bears his name and to which the chimes were moved in 1934. A graduate of Baylor University with a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Columbia University, Dr. Wil- liam Sims Allen served on t ' accrediting committee of the South- ern Association of Colleges and Schools before coming to Stetson in 1934. Dr. Allen drew on his exper- ience with the Association in raising the standards of the school by implementing an Honors System in which junior and senior students who showed exceptional ability were allowed to work independently in the fields of their choice. Being a man of vigor, strength, and congen- iality, Dr. Allen succeeded in improving university relations with the Florida Baptist Convention. At one time the need for campus housing was so severe as to force Dr. Allen from the president ' s home to provide living space for some of the female students. Dr. Allen resigned from the presidency at the 6nd of 1947 due to failing health. Opening

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1. Alison Steele looks over her notes in the Hat Rack. 2. Aerospace photography produces some interesting aspects of Stetson ' s campus. 3. Colorful beach towels decorate the Phi Mu apartment during rush. 4. The cupola on Elizabeth Hall is one of Stetson ' s landmarks. 5. The Hat Rack patio is the place to be during the ten o ' clock hour. 6. The ten o ' clock hour is also a good time to catch up on the news or do some last minute studying. 7. Backpacks and bikes prove invaluable to some Stetson students. 8. IFC bid pickup finds these Lambda Chi Alpha fall pledges. 9. Maria Stokley makes her way from Davis Hall. Opening 7

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J. Ollie Edmunds Dr. Paul Francis Geren received a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Harvard University and served as a foreign service officer in the State Department for twenty years. He was the first deputy director of the Peace Corps and the author of the best-selhng book, Burma Diary. Dr. Geren was chosen as president of the Univer- sity in 1967, and foreign exchange programs were first instituted during his administration. Dr. Geren grew unpopular with the faculty and students and resigned in 1969, after serving a term of only twenty-one months. Paul Francis Geren Dr. J. Ollie Edmunds graduated from Stetson University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1925. In 1927, he was awarded a Master of Arts degree and, in 1928, a Bachelor of Law degree. Dr. Edmunds is the recipient of many awards from state, national, secular, and religious organizations, signifying his contribution to mankind as a statesman and a leader. Following fourteen years of service on the Board of Trustees, Dr. Edmunds was elected president in 1948. During a presidency which spanned nearly nineteen years, he saw Stetson add sixteen buildings and 47 acres of land. Dr. Edmunds was elected Chancellor of the University following his resignation and continues to serve Stetson in that capacity today. Dr. Pope A. Duncan, the current president of Stetson, received his Bachelor of Science degree and a Master ' s degree from the University of Georgia and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was unanimously elected president of Stetson in 1977. Dr. Duncan has long been involved in administrative and scholarly leadership, having taught at four different universities and seminaries and having served as president of two colleges. Dr. Duncan is committed to the traditional relationship between Stetson University and the Florida Baptist Convention. He believes the University has a responsibility to provide students with a quality education within a Christian environment. John E. Johns Dr. John E. Johns began serving Stetson University as an instructor in the history depart- ment, and later advanced to Chairman of the history and political science departments. In 1970, he was named president of the University. Dr. Johns was liked and trusted by the faculty, the students, and the Florida Baptist Convention, which enabled him to transform a divided institution into a more unified, cooperative organ- ization. It was during his presi- dency, from 1970 to 1976, that the much larger and improved Ed- munds Activities Center was con- structed and a grant was secured for the remodeling of Flagler Hall. Presently, Dr. Johns is president of Furman University. Dr. Pope A. Duncan Opening 9