Now in its third year Inspirare, meaning “to breathe and to inspire,” was founded by its director Ann Small, internationally known scholar and conductor, who has taught music at Stetson University’s School of Music since 1983. Small’s articles on music education have been published on many occasions. Her children’s choirs, part of the Stetson Community School of the Arts, have performed across the United States and in Scotland and Canada. They also were featured in a worldwide event sponsored at Disney World by the Music Educators National Conference. Her choirs have sung for regional and national American Choral Directors Association and Music Educators National Conference.

Women singers from across Volusia County, as well as Stetson faculty and staff, have joined together to participate in Inspirare. Auditions were not required. Donations ($10 adults; $8 seniors; $5 students suggested) will be accepted at the door.

Accompanied by Tammy Miller, adjunct music professor, and directed by Small, the concert will also feature soprano Marya Barry, and the narrator will be Monya Winzer Gilbert.

Women’s choirs are ideally suited for music about spiritual and romantic love. The concert will include a work by Canadian composer, Imant Raminsh called “Chariot Children” and a French Canadian folk song.

The finale from Mendelssohn’s incidental music written for Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, will feature Miller, piano, and Barry, soprano. The narration will be read by Gilbert, former violinist, and well-known arts administrator, who was instrumental in bringing the International Festival to Daytona Beach.

To learn more about this group, contact Small at asmall@stetson.edu, or call Stetson’s School of Music at (386) 822-8950.

Singing musicians begin at an early age at Stetson with The Young Singers, a treble choir of boys and girls founded in 1985 by Dr. Ann Roberts Small. The choir, composed of 28 voices, from elementary, middle and high school ages, is currently conducted by Claudia Gatewood (pictured at right), director of the Community School of Music.

Although tickets are not sold, donations will be happily accepted at the door. The program will feature a wide range of music, that’s sure to please everyone in attendance.

For further information, visit www.stetson.edu/music/community-school, or call (386) 822-8962, or contact Claudia Gatewood directly at cgatewoo@stetson.edu.

The first rehearsal of the new choir season will be Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 4:15-5:45 p.m. at Stetson’s Presser Hall, 419 N. Woodland Blvd.

(Pictured left to right) Harry Price, Terry Farrell and Beth Paul.

During its convocation and commencement ceremonies, held Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11, Stetson University presented several awards to exemplary students and faculty.

William Hugh McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching is considered Stetson’s most prestigious award for faculty. It is awarded to a faculty member chosen by students and other faculty. Excellence in classroom teaching is the primary criterion, though other factors, such as intellectual growth, professional competency, academic activities outside the classroom, and service to students and the university as a whole may be considered. The recipient of this year’s McEniry Award is Harry Price, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry. The award was presented at the Saturday commencement ceremony by Terry Farrell, Ph.D., professor of biology, and last year’s recipient of this award.

“I believe education is as important as personal freedom,” said Price in a recent interview with Stetson University magazine. “I decided to become a college professor so that I could pass on my love of learning, my love of science, and my knowledge and insights to my students just as my professors had done for me. Teaching for me is my way of giving back, my way of changing a life for the better.”

“[Price] has an incredible ability to not only understand life in its most minute details—he can also relate biochemistry to the major challenges our society faces,” said Farrell. “More impressively, he also constantly inspires his students to do the same.”

Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award is presented annually to the man
and the woman in the graduating class whose nobility of character and dedication to service sets them apart as examples for others. This prestigious award is among the highest recognition given to a graduating senior and is given jointly by Stetson University and the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation in New York. This award was created nearly 100 years ago to honor Sullivan’s life of service to others. This year’s awards go to Lauren Dunn and Kai Eckenrode, and were presented at the Friday Honors Convocation by Beth Paul, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs.

Lauren Dunn

As a J. Ollie Edmunds Distinguished Scholar, Lauren Dunn’s resume is replete with the names of organizations she has not just been associated with, but has held leadership roles in: president and vice president of the Honor System Council; secretary of the Order of Omega Greek Honor Society; clerk of the Senate for the Student Government Association; and secretary, Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology. Dunn received her B.A. degree in psychology from Stetson, graduating magna cum laude.

“Lauren’s success as a leader, in part derives from her ability to cooperate and work with a variety of people,” said Paul, “a talent which stems from her open-mindedness and respect for others and her ability to understand their feelings.”

Dunn has served her community both here and abroad. She volunteered with the Woodward Elementary after-school program, read with elementary students at Starke Elementary, worked with the Volusia County Literacy Council teaching adult women practical reading and writing skills, cleaned up and removed branches and other obstacles from the handicap trails at Lake Woodruff, served as tutor in the Psychology Department here, and volunteered with the Transgender Equality Network of Ireland in Dublin, Ireland, helping them fight for workplace rights.

Kai Eckenrode

Kai Eckenrode “represents the best of the Stetson student experience,” according to Paul. “Overall, he is an outstanding student and a well-rounded, thoughtful person who is committed to living out his values.” Eckenrode received his B.A. in communication studies.

Eckenrode is an NCAA soccer player, who previously played soccer in the United Kingdom.  He is an activist on social issues, evidenced through his involvement with environmental activism, gender issues and politics. Research Eckenrode did in summer 2012 (supported by a SURE Grant) will be presented at the undergraduate honors conference at Stetson’s regional communication conference this month in Louisville, Ky. Eckenrode also is president of the Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honor Society and has served as a teaching assistant helping mentor younger students.

Etter McTeer Turner Award is named for Stetson’s first woman dean of students, and is presented to the student who shows outstanding academic achievement, leadership and service to the community. This year’s recipient is Tara Formisano. This award was presented at commencement by Provost Paul.

Tara Formisano

Formisano received her B.S. in integrative health science with minors in French, chemistry, and women and gender studies. She is an exceptional student, graduating summa cum laude, who is motivated by a love of learning. Formisano has received several awards including first place in the Anne Morris Research Essay, first place in the duPont-Ball Library Research Essay, and was recognized as an Outstanding Junior/Senior in the Integrative Health Science Department. Formisano is also an Atlantic-Sun Conference Scholar Athlete, as a member of Stetson’s softball team. Formisano was recently inducted into Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society.

“It is evident from her experiences that her motivation to pursue a career in medicine stems from genuine interest, altruism and advocacy,” said Paul in presenting the award. “Her path is filled with volunteer experiences that fuel her passion to help and empower others providing her an understanding of the service side of medicine…It is these experiences that fuel her passion to pursue a career in medicine and research.”

Formisano participated in a Global Medical Brigades trip to Panama to assist in the administration of health care to the less fortunate in that country, exemplifying a commitment and passion for helping others, strong personal and leadership attributes, and superior academic achievements.

Kimberly FlintHamilton

The John Hague Award for Distinguished Teaching in the Liberal Arts and Sciences celebrates Stetson’s tradition of excellence in teaching and its devotion to scholarship, morality and friendship. These are the guiding principles of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious undergraduate honorary society. Kimberly FlintHamilton, Ph.D., professor of sociology and anthropology, is this year’s recipient. The award was presented at Honors Convocation by Karen Ryan, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

“A lover of the past and the very origins of liberal education, [Kimberly] is praised for helping students to find eureka moments in their undergraduate education,” said Ryan when presenting the award. “As a mentor of senior projects or a steadfast counselor of students and colleagues, this professor is someone who truly embodies the values of liberal, or liberating education.”

FlintHamilton received two nominations for the award from Phi Beta Kappa students who praised her “clear and contagious enthusiasm for every subject she teaches, every single day,” adding that “she engages with all of her students on a level I have never experienced in any other classroom, and more than anything, she just has this innate capability to bring people together and lead them in meaningful discussion.”

Established in 2007, this award is named in honor of the late John Hague, professor emeritus of American studies, and a widely admired teacher, scholar and academic leader. Hague led Stetson’s application to earn a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa in 1982, which became the first chapter established at a private university in Florida. The initial gift allowing Stetson to honor the career of John Hague was made by William and Margaret Dunifon.

The Hand Awards were established by Stetson Trustee Emerita and College of Law alumna Dolly Hand and her husband, Homer, to applaud faculty members who are not only dedicated teachers but also who have notable achievements in scholarship or creative work in their areas of expertise and who have made a difference in their local or larger communities. These awards were announced at Commencement by Provost Paul.

The Hand Award for Research, Creative and Professional Activity honors outstanding faculty. This year’s recipients are Mark Powell and Michael Rickman.

Mark Powell

Mark Powell, Ph.D., assistant professor of English, is the author of four novels: Prodigals (2002, nominated for the VCU First Novel Award), Blood Kin (2006, received the Peter Taylor Prize for the Novel), The Dark Corner (2012), and The House of the Lord (2012). He has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Breadloaf Writers’ Conference, the Collegeville Center for Ecumenical Research and the Vaclav Havel fellowship in playwriting to the Prague Seminar. For the past three years, Powell has taught a fiction workshop at Lawtey Correctional Institute, a Level II prison in Raiford, Fla. In spring 2011, Powell took his students to the prison to participate in a Creative Writing course called “Creative Outreach.” Powell compiled the resulting work of the inmates into an anthology and had it published. Powell and his students continue to work with the inmates to help them with their creative writing.

Michael Rickman

Michael Rickman, Ph.D., professor of music, has been hailed by the New York Times and newspapers around the globe for his brilliance on the piano. One of his most significant achievements came in 2009 when Rickman was named to the prestigious roster of Steinway artists, consisting of only 1600 pianists worldwide. With international performances in Latvia, Chile, Bolivia, Italy, Germany, Austria, Toronto, London, and Paris as well as throughout the United States, Rickman’s performances have received exceptional praise from audiences and the media worldwide. This year marks Rickman’s 30^th at Stetson. A highly sought-after performer and teacher, he maintains a studio of prize-winning students, preparing them for musical studies in noted graduate programs, competitions, and positions in the professional musical world.

The Hand Community Impact Award celebrates the achievements of faculty serving the needs of the community – the Stetson community as well as the community beyond campus. This year’s recipient is Robert Sitler.

Robert Sitler

Robert Sitler, Ph.D., professor of modern languages and chair of Stetson’s Latin American Studies academic program, fell in love with the Mayan world in the mid 1970s while visiting Ch’ol villagers in the rainforest of Chiapas, Mexico. Sitler’s ongoing academic passion for all things Maya has been complemented by numerous immersion experiences in Guatemala, Mexico and Belize, where he travels frequently. These student trips provide substantial “real world” exposure for Stetson students to Native American cultures and languages as well as Spanish and Hispanic culture. Sitler also serves as chair of Stetson’s Values Council. His work on behalf of environmental initiatives and his commitment to the Latin American community both in our region and beyond, is an “orchestra of outreach, cultural understanding, and development that draws town, gown, and others together,” said Paul. “Bob’s commitment to both is immersive and comprehensive: his impact on the community has been profound.”

Wendy B. Libby, president of Stetson, will give the “charge” at both ceremonies – a tradition where the president places a duty and responsibility upon the graduates. Spring Commencement includes all graduates who completed degree requirements in July 2012, December 2012 and May 2013.

The College of Arts and Sciences will kick off commencement at 9 a.m. Elly Bludworth and Tara Formisano have been chosen to address 395 students, along with teachers, visitors, friends and family members. Bludworth is a political science major who has spent a significant amount of time at Stetson in service to others. While at Stetson, Bludworth devoted four years to Hatter Harvest, publicizing events and planning on-campus farmers markets. Bludworth also spent three years with Housing and Residential Life, serving in both Emily Hall and Gordis Hall. This experience inspired her to continue working with younger people as a mentor with City Year after graduation.

Formisano is a Ridgefield, Conn., native and integrative health science major with minors in French and gender studies. Following graduation Formisano will be working for Publicus Healthcare Communications Group in Manhattan as a medical drug researcher. At Stetson, Formisano was active in the National Organization for Women hoping to inspire passion in others about social justice, gender equity and women’s rights.  She also was able to present her senior research at the National Autumn Immunology Conference in Chicago, an experience which she says, “greatly helped hone my research skills and confirmed my goal to one day be a physician-scientist.”

The Schools of Business Administration and Music will hold their commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. on May 11. Alisha Hoffman and Kirsten Shippert will deliver the commencement addresses to 287 candidates for degrees, and their friends and families. Hoffman is a management major in the School of Business Administration and a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, an international organization that honors academic achievement in business, and Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society. She is also captain of the Sand Volleyball team, All-Academic Team 2011-13, All-Conference First Team 2013, and nominated for Atlantic-Sun Conference student athlete of the year in 2013. Hoffman plans to attend graduate school in the fall to earn her M.B.A.

Shippert, a native of Atlanta who transferred to Stetson in fall 2011, has been a member of the Stetson Concert Choir for the duration of her time at Stetson, and she also has participated in multiple opera productions. She is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda and Omicron Delta Kappa. This summer, Kirsten will begin her M.B.A. studies at Stetson, and next year plans to pursue a master’s degree in vocal performance.

Both commencement ceremonies will be live streamed on GoHatters.com for those who cannot attend. There is no site registration required to watch commencement via the website.

During commencement the William Hugh McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching will be presented by Beth Paul, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. The winner of the McEniry Award is chosen by faculty and students. Excellence in classroom teaching is the primary criterion, though other factors, such as intellectual growth, professional competency, academic activities outside the classroom, and service to students and the university as a whole may be considered. The McEniry Award is considered Stetson’s most prestigious award for faculty.

Prior to commencement, on Friday, May 10, will be the ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at 10 a.m. in Lee Chapel at Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. The Army ROTC program provides students the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge necessary for commissioning as a second lieutenant. This year two students will be commissioned: Caitlyn Amelia Edwards, B.A. in environmental science; and Ronald Ethan Wagnon, B.A. in American studies with a history minor.

Also on Friday, May 10, Stetson will hold its Academic Awards Convocation at 3 p.m. in Lee Chapel at Elizabeth Hall. This event recognizes graduating students who have been awarded honors in each of the colleges and schools for various projects, research and other academic achievements.

Following the Academic Awards Convocation will be a reception at 4:30 p.m. at Palm Court for graduating students, their families, friends and visitors. A Baccalaureate will be held at 7 p.m. in Lee Chapel, Elizabeth Hall. The baccalaureate is a traditional inter-denominational service to honor the graduating class. Graduating students, their families, friends and visitors are welcome to attend.

Several awards will be presented at the convocation, but among the most prestigious are:

Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award

The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award is presented annually to the man
and the woman in the graduating class who best represent the qualities described here. This prestigious award is considered among the highest recognition given to a graduating senior and is given at many universities jointly by the institution and the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation in New York. The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award was created nearly 100 years ago to honor Sullivan’s life of service to others. The awards are given annually by the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation to recognize individuals whose “nobility of character” and dedication to service sets them apart as examples for others.

The John Hague Award for Distinguished Teaching in the Liberal Arts and Sciences

Established in 2007 and named in honor of the late John Hague, professor emeritus of American studies, this award celebrates Stetson’s tradition of excellence in teaching the liberal arts
and sciences and its devotion to scholarship, morality, and friendship. These are the guiding principles of Phi Beta
Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious undergraduate honorary society. A widely admired teacher, scholar and academic leader, Hague led Stetson’s application to earn a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa in 1982; Stetson’s chapter was the first established at a private university in Florida. The initial gift allowing Stetson to honor the career of John Hague was made by William and Margaret Dunifon.

Guests do not need a ticket for entry to the commencement ceremonies as seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests should arrive one hour prior to commencement. For more information on commencement or the convocation, please visit the website or contact University Events at events@stetson.edu or 386-822-8920.

Schedule for Stetson University Commencement Ceremonies

Friday, May 10

10 a.m. — ROTC Commissioning Ceremony

Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand

3 p.m. – Academic Awards Convocation

Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand

4:30 p.m. — Academic Awards Convocation Reception

Palm Court (in the Quad)

7 p.m. – Baccalaureate

Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand

Saturday, May 11

9 a.m. – College of Arts and Sciences Commencement

Edmunds Center, 143 E. Pennsylvania Ave., DeLand

2 p.m. – Schools of Business Administration and Music Commencement

Edmunds Center, 143 E. Pennsylvania Ave., DeLand

10.       Q – When do I need to be at Edmunds Center?

A – That depends on whether you are a graduate or a guest. Grads go to the Hollis Center. Guests go to Edmunds Center. The doors to the Edmunds Center will open one hour prior to each ceremony. The College of Arts and Sciences ceremony starts at 9 a.m., so doors will open at 8 a.m. The ceremony for the Schools of Business Administration and Music begins at 2 pm., so doors will open at 1 p.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive as early as possible.

9.         Q – Where do graduates get their honor cords?

A – The cords representing any of the three Latin honors—Cum Laude; Magna Cum Laude; Summa Cum Laude—will be pre-set on your assigned seat in Hollis Center. Other cords representing various organizations, will have been distributed before May 11. Confused about what cord represents what? Information will be in the Commencement printed program.

8.         Q – For Commencement guests with disabilities, what is the procedure for reserving floor seating?

A – Edmunds Center is fully accessible to all guests with seating available both on ground level and in permanent bleachers. Persons with disabilities can pick up a priority floor seating pass at the tents located at the north and south entrances of Edmunds Center. Ushers will be available to guide guests to the priority floor seating area in Edmunds Center.

7.         Q – What is the procedure for dropping off people with disabilities before parking the car?

A – There will be ample parking available close to Edmunds Center, and it will be clearly marked. Please refer to the campus map that shows locations for public parking. Shuttle service will be available from the Lynn Business Center, Flagler Hall and Allen Hall parking areas from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 11. Shuttle service is accessible for persons with disabilities.

Parking for persons with disabilities is available on the north side of Edmunds Center. Cars parked in this area are required to display a disabled parking permit. Access to this area is on E. Pennsylvania Avenue and Fraternity Circle. Public Safety Officers will be present to offer directions.

A circular drive accessible from E. Pennsylvania Avenue and Fraternity Circle will be available for drivers to drop-off persons with disabilities. Drivers will then be asked to move to the designated public parking areas.

6.         Q – How long will the ceremony last?

A – Each ceremony will last approximately 90 minutes.

5.         Q – What foods will be served at the reception between the morning ceremony and the afternoon ceremony? Will it be substantive enough for my family to make it through the day?

A – The reception fare will be delicious, but light. We recommend eating lunch somewhere in the area, enabling you and your party to enjoy both events.

4.         Q – Who should attend the Academic Awards Convocation on Friday afternoon?

A – The Academic Awards Convocation is a ceremony that recognizes those graduates who have been awarded honors in each of the colleges and schools for various projects, research and other academic achievements. All award recipients will be notified in advance through the Office of Academic Affairs. Those receiving awards will be asked to arrive at 2:30 p.m. and sit in the reserved seating area. It is recommended that graduates wear business attire for this event. All graduating students and their families are invited to attend.

3.         Q – How far is the Hollis Center from the Edmunds Center?

A – The Hollis Center is a short walk from the Edmunds Center. If someone in your party needs to ride to the reception in Hollis Center, a shuttle will be available in front of Edmunds Center, traveling to parking areas and Hollis Center.

2.         Q – Where do graduates pick up their caps and gowns?

A – Graduates can pick up their caps and gowns at the Stetson Bookstore, located at the north end of the Carlton Union Building. The Bookstore is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 11, from 7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.

1.          Q – I won’t be able to attend the festivities on Saturday. Is there a way to watch the event live?

A - Yes! Friends and family unable to attend the ceremonies on May 11 can access our live video streaming at http://www.gohatters.com/liveEvents/liveEvents.dbml. When the event starts a PLAY button will appear on the page (approximately 10 minutes before the ceremony is scheduled to start). Note: You do not have to register. This is a free service for the Hatter community.

Remember to leave your air-horns at home and do your shouting on social media with the hashtag  #hattergrad !

For answers to these and more questions, visit the Commencement 2013 website. Congratulations, Stetson graduates! GO HATTERS!

Wendy B. Libby, president of Stetson, will give the “charge” at both ceremonies – a tradition where the president places a duty and responsibility upon the graduates. Spring Commencement includes all graduates who completed degree requirements in July 2012, December 2012 and May 2013.

The College of Arts and Sciences will kick off commencement at 9 a.m. Elly Bludworth and Tara Formisano have been chosen to address 395 students, along with teachers, visitors, friends and family members. Bludworth is a political science major who has spent a significant amount of time at Stetson in service to others. While at Stetson, Bludworth devoted four years to Hatter Harvest, publicizing events and planning on-campus farmers markets. Bludworth also spent three years with Housing and Residential Life, serving in both Emily Hall and Gordis Hall. This experience inspired her to continue working with younger people as a mentor with City Year after graduation.

Formisano is a Ridgefield, Conn., native and integrative health science major with minors in French and gender studies. Following graduation Formisano will be working for Publicus Healthcare Communications Group in Manhattan as a medical drug researcher. At Stetson, Formisano was active in the National Organization for Women hoping to inspire passion in others about social justice, gender equity and women’s rights.  She also was able to present her senior research at the National Autumn Immunology Conference in Chicago, an experience which she says, “greatly helped hone my research skills and confirmed my goal to one day be a physician-scientist.”

The Schools of Business Administration and Music will hold their commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. on May 11. Alisha Hoffman and Kirsten Shippert will deliver the commencement addresses to 287 candidates for degrees, and their friends and families. Hoffman is a management major in the School of Business Administration and a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, an international organization that honors academic achievement in business, and Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society. She is also captain of the Sand Volleyball team, All-Academic Team 2011-13, All-Conference First Team 2013, and nominated for Atlantic-Sun Conference student athlete of the year in 2013. Hoffman plans to attend graduate school in the fall to earn her M.B.A.

Shippert, a native of Atlanta who transferred to Stetson in fall 2011, has been a member of the Stetson Concert Choir for the duration of her time at Stetson, and she also has participated in multiple opera productions. She is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda and Omicron Delta Kappa. This summer, Kirsten will begin her M.B.A. studies at Stetson, and next year plans to pursue a master’s degree in vocal performance.

Both commencement ceremonies will be live streamed on GoHatters.com for those who cannot attend. There is no site registration required to watch commencement via the website.

During commencement the William Hugh McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching will be presented by Beth Paul, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. The winner of the McEniry Award is chosen by faculty and students. Excellence in classroom teaching is the primary criterion, though other factors, such as intellectual growth, professional competency, academic activities outside the classroom, and service to students and the university as a whole may be considered. The McEniry Award is considered Stetson’s most prestigious award for faculty.

Prior to commencement, on Friday, May 10, will be the ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at 10 a.m. in Lee Chapel at Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. The Army ROTC program provides students the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge necessary for commissioning as a second lieutenant. This year two students will be commissioned: Caitlyn Amelia Edwards, B.A. in environmental science; and Ronald Ethan Wagnon, B.A. in American studies with a history minor.

Also on Friday, May 10, Stetson will hold its Academic Awards Convocation at 3 p.m. in Lee Chapel at Elizabeth Hall. This event recognizes graduating students who have been awarded honors in each of the colleges and schools for various projects, research and other academic achievements.

Following the Academic Awards Convocation will be a reception at 4:30 p.m. at Palm Court for graduating students, their families, friends and visitors. A Baccalaureate will be held at 7 p.m. in Lee Chapel, Elizabeth Hall. The baccalaureate is a traditional inter-denominational service to honor the graduating class. Graduating students, their families, friends and visitors are welcome to attend.

Several awards will be presented at the convocation, but among the most prestigious are:

Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award

The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award is presented annually to the man
and the woman in the graduating class who best represent the qualities described here. This prestigious award is considered among the highest recognition given to a graduating senior and is given at many universities jointly by the institution and the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation in New York. The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award was created nearly 100 years ago to honor Sullivan’s life of service to others. The awards are given annually by the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation to recognize individuals whose “nobility of character” and dedication to service sets them apart as examples for others.

The John Hague Award for Distinguished Teaching in the Liberal Arts and Sciences

Established in 2007 and named in honor of the late John Hague, professor emeritus of American studies, this award celebrates Stetson’s tradition of excellence in teaching the liberal arts
and sciences and its devotion to scholarship, morality, and friendship. These are the guiding principles of Phi Beta
Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious undergraduate honorary society. A widely admired teacher, scholar and academic leader, Hague led Stetson’s application to earn a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa in 1982; Stetson’s chapter was the first established at a private university in Florida. The initial gift allowing Stetson to honor the career of John Hague was made by William and Margaret Dunifon.

Guests do not need a ticket for entry to the commencement ceremonies as seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests should arrive one hour prior to commencement. For more information on commencement or the convocation, please visit the website or contact University Events at events@stetson.edu or 386-822-8920.

Schedule for Stetson University Commencement Ceremonies

Friday, May 10

10 a.m. — ROTC Commissioning Ceremony

Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand

3 p.m. – Academic Awards Convocation

Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand

4:30 p.m. — Academic Awards Convocation Reception

Palm Court (in the Quad)

7 p.m. – Baccalaureate

Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand

Saturday, May 11

9 a.m. – College of Arts and Sciences Commencement

Edmunds Center, 143 E. Pennsylvania Ave., DeLand

2 p.m. – Schools of Business Administration and Music Commencement

Edmunds Center, 143 E. Pennsylvania Ave., DeLand

Questions about Commencement? Go to Commencement website!

Share your Hatter Pride this Commencement week so that the entire Hatter Nation can celebrate with you.  Just remember to use the hashtag #hattergrad. Add the hashtag to your Instagram photos, Twitter comments, Vine videos, Facebook posts, blog comments and other favorite social media activities. Real-time moments shared before, during and after convocation, receptions, and commencement ceremonies May 10 and 11 will brim with the significance of the Stetson community, and will deserve wide audiences.

The Stetson University social media team will share as much activity as possible, especially May 10 and 11. Watch for photos to be posted on the StetsonU Flickr site and StetsonU Facebook page. The team also will gather contributions into a Storify feature to capture the emotion, excitement, and enthusiasm of these times of outstanding achievement and important milestones for Hatter grads.

Members of the Stetson community who won’t be at Commencement ceremonies can still be part of (and perhaps relive) the celebration by watching the live stream scheduled to air on the Athletics website www.gohatters.com.  The stream will go live shortly before each of the two (9 a.m.  and 2 p.m.) Commencement ceremonies May 11.  The StetsonU Facebook page and StetsonU Twitter account will post reminders about the live streams just before the ceremonies begin. If you don’t already follow these StetsonU social media sites, you can find them at https://www.facebook.com/stetsonU and https://twitter.com.

We’re only a few days away from the big moments, and excitement is building. Stay up-to-date by regularly checking the Commencement website at http://www.stetson.edu/commencement and by following StetsonU social media, including our Commencement idea boards on StetsonU Pinterest.

At this year’s celebration, Dr. T. Wayne Bailey, political science professor at Stetson since 1963, was recognized for his 50^th anniversary at Stetson. Bailey, who is one of the founders of Stetson’s Model U.S. Senate and the annual International Symposium, is director of the Washington Semester at American University program and he chaired and continues to serve on the Pre-Law Advisory Committee at Stetson.

In her remarks honoring Bailey in front of an assembly of faculty and staff on Monday, April 29, Provost Beth Paul said, “Dr. T. Wayne Bailey has taught nearly every political science course ever offered at Stetson. Many former students have gone on to serve in state legislature and congressional positions, including former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland, a 1964 Stetson graduate, and at least three alumni currently serving in the Florida Legislature. Dr. Bailey is well known for volunteering his expertise for local, state and national groups. He has held various leadership positions in the Florida Democratic Party and was a Florida delegate to the Democratic National Convention from 1972 to 2012, attending 10 National Conventions. He has done extensive work with local government – cities and counties – upgrading their charters and reforming their governments.”

Bailey has been an active member of the American Lung Association for over 40 years, and in 2004, was the first person in the United States to receive the Discovery Health Channel Medical Honor for his work with the ALA, in making Florida’s public areas officially smoke-free.

Celebrating 50 years at Stetson University, Bailey was inducted into Stetson’s Gold Circle. President Wendy Libby and Provost Paul presented Bailey with a personalized Seiko gold and silver watch.

Also honored at Stetson’s 2013 Employee Recognition Celebration:

• 40 years of service, each receiving a mantle clock:
  • James R. Beasley
  • A. Richard Kindred
• 35 years of service, each receiving a crystal pitcher:
  • Derek T. Barkalow
  • Robert D. Batey
  • Robert D. Bickel
  • Linda P. Davis
  • Richard A. Ferland
  • Benjamin Heflin
  • Gloria Heflin
  • Earlene G. Kuester
  • Donald W. Musser
  • David C. Rigsby
• 30 years of service, each receiving marble coasters:
  • Pamela D. Burdett
  • Mitchell Reddish
  • Michael Rickman
  • Stephen Robinson
  • Beverly Romans
  • Theodore Surynt
  • Sally G. Waters
• New inductees into the university’s Silver Circle for 25 years of service, each receiving a silver clock:
  • Deborah A. Bartles
  • Peter G. May
  • Michael W. McFarland
  • Lynn A. Musco
  • Marleen O’Connor
  • Kenneth B. Oliver
  • John H. Pearson
  • Sandra L. Wilcox
• Retirees, each receiving a crystal cube:
  • Robert D. Batey
  • Jane Bradford
  • Pamela D. Burdett
  • John Cooper
  • Rosemary Congelosi
  • Shirley D. Ferguson
  • Joyce Fulton
  • Linda Grooms
  • Richard Peter Heine
  • Willard Kilgore
  • A. Richard Kindred
  • JoAnne L. Longo
  • Lizabeth Moody
  • Christine B. Nelson
  • Paul Steeves
  • Judy Ward.

The Senior Art Exhibition by graduating senior Troy Norton, from Oviedo, Fla., pictured (left) sanding the tree branches of his art project, will be held Friday, April 26, from 6-9 p.m. in Conrad Warehouse, 113 W. Georgia Ave., in downtown DeLand. The exhibit is open to the public, free of charge.

Because the “Tree of Life,” Norton’s senior project, depicts the life cycle of a real tree, he needed a space larger than a typical exhibition space on campus. He scouted for a workable space that would encompass his finished project, and he found the perfect place in the warehouse space in Artisan’s Alley, across the street from Café DaVinci’s.

Norton has arranged for live musical entertainment, catered foods, all donated from many established restaurants in the area, as well as an array of beverages.

“Troy Norton is the only art major to win two Best of Shows back-to-back,” said Sculptor Professor Dan Gunderson, Norton’s faculty advisor. “He is the most decorated art student we’ve ever had at Stetson. He has worked well over 2,000 hours on this one project, alone.”

Extended viewing of the exhibition will continue through Friday, May 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., by appointment. For more information, call (407) 929-6074.

The Senior Thesis Exhibition of Studio Art at Hand Art Center will continue through Friday, April 26. “Oscar Bluemner’s Germany: Juxtaposing Jerichow” will run through Monday, April 29.

School of Music concerts include:

• University Concert Choir featuring Timothy Peter, conductor, 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 26. This will be the final concert performance by School of Music students and faculty until next semester.
• The Community School of Music’s concert by the Young Singers, Claudia Gatewood, conductor, will perform in concert Saturday, May 18.
• Inspirare, Stetson’s intergenerational women’s choral group, Ann Small, director, will meet for the first rehearsal Monday, April 29, 7-9 p.m., and every Monday after that, until the concert, May 30.

Friday, April 26:

• Lavender and MSC Awards Banquet
  

Saturday, April 27:

• Habitat for Humanity Build

Sunday, April 28:

• Chapel Service

Tuesday, April 30:

• Inspirational Storytelling with City Commissioner Vonzelle Johnson and Teacher Education Professor Glen Epley. They will share their stories as 1st generation  grads.
• One Million Bones Project – Join us to create a paper mache bone to contribute to the One Million Bones Project, an exhibit that will be constructed in the National Mall in Washington, D.C. from June 8-10. The bones will serve as a visual protest to inaction in regards to ongoing genocidal conflicts worldwide. Sponsored by STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition

Wednesday, May 1:

• CLASSES END
• Deadline for Summer/Fall Registration for currently enrolled undergraduate students
• First Year Fiesta – A celebration of students’ first year at Stetson. Food, fun and music to help celebrate the occasion!

Thursday, May 2:

• Honors Project – Living Sustainably in Finance – Karen Carlson – Speaker Karen Carlson’s workshop  will teach important financial lessons, such as: budgeting for your first year out of school; understanding your credit report (how to access) and your score; how to maximize your credit score – what this means for you; managing student loan payments; saving to fuel your dreams.

FINALS: May 3, 4

• Here’s our Finals Survival Guide to help Hatters and students everywhere - 

Visit GOHATTERS.COM for all Hatter Sports schedules! 

Through a wide range of experiences at local disadvantaged schools as well as studies in his major, DeDon has learned firsthand the effects of poverty on educational success and college accessibility. For that reason, DeDon is developing a college access program for 52 middle schools in Central Florida. This program is designed to attract students from disadvantaged middle schools who have a passion for music performance and education. It will bring young men and women to Stetson’s DeLand campus for free workshops and lessons with Stetson School of Music students and faculty.

Given the public school funding challenges and family-based hardships that such students face, DeDon’s program will be one of the only opportunities for these youth to engage in a community that embraces music education and scholarship while nurturing their musical interests and talents. Through this exposure, these students can realize that a college education is both desirable and possible, thereby increasing the likelihood that they will pursue a college education and break the cycle of poverty to which many of them are accustomed.

The Newman Civic Fellows Awards are made possible through the generous support of the KPMG Foundation. For a full list of the 2013 Newman Civic Fellows, please visit:  http://www.compact.org/initiatives/awards-programs/the-frank-newman-leadership-award/the-2013-newman-civic-fellows/

by Sarah Taylor