Sealed with a Kiss!

Webcam connects students to loved ones across the miles. 

NinaColbySittingSmiling copyHoller Fountain is one of the most iconic images of Stetson University. The fountain serves many purposes; it’s a place to sit and study, reflect, unwind, make wishes, and sometimes, spark romances that last for a lifetime. Nina O’Keefe May ’74 and Colby May ’75 shared their first kiss over 40 years ago by the fountain.

Now, to celebrate their relationship to each other and their relationship to the Stetson community, the Mays made a generous donation to their alma mater for a new, high-definition webcam that has been installed in the duPont-Ball Library, providing a panoramic view of the fountain and the Quad/Palm Court area surrounding it. It’s become very popular, too, with 2,000-3,000 views a month. This webcam, one of three high-def webcams on Stetson’s DeLand campus, connects Stetson students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends to loved ones across the miles – sealed with a kiss! Visit Stetson University Webcams to see the view from the other webcams.

Nina's fashions 1975 copy-reducedNina and Colby May, pictured in 1975, right, were married on September 28, 1974 before their friends, family and God at New Hope Baptist Church near DeLand. Well into their 41st year of marriage, they are still going strong and still very much in love.

Known for her boundless energy and reputation for helping people in countless ways, Nina founded The Renaissance Foundation in 1983, to encourage people to become leaders in their respective areas of influence and to challenge these leaders to new standards of excellence and spiritual renewal.

Also an independent filmmaker of several documentaries, TV shows and educational videos, Nina returned to DeLand for the premiere of her independent feature film, Life Fine Tuned, which screened at the Athens Theatre in DeLand in 2013. Written and directed by Nina, Life Fine Tuned, which is a Renaissance Women Production, has received awards in several film festivals, including the American International Film Festival, International Family Film Festival and Kids First! Film & Video Festival.

Nina received the 2014 Legacy Board Award at the Renovation Gala for the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center in Washington D.C. The Recreation Wish List Committee, of which Nina is a board member, built the tennis center in southeast D.C., which has helped thousands of children receive the tutoring they need, as well as tennis scholarships to different colleges.

A practicing attorney, Colby is senior counsel with the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) in Washington, D.C. He serves on the board of directors of many civic organizations including a public charity fostering microeconomic development in emerging countries of the world, and Enough is Enough!, a pro-family organization working to make the Internet safe for children.

In addition to their financial support, the Mays have always shown their Hatter support by hosting several alumni and student recruitment events for Stetson.

“We were thrilled when Linda Davis gave us the opportunity to help with the fountain webcam,” said Nina and Colby May. “When she told us what the problem was, we were immediately reminded of that first kiss by the fountain. We thought how special it would be to bring that part of the campus alive for friends, parents and alumni who have the same wonderful memories of Stetson. And with technology today, you can feel like you are back at that special spot where it all began.

“We actually first met in the Commons in the first few days of our freshman year and became good friends,” Nina continued. “That friendship grew until that first kiss turned into love. We still laugh that a hippie and a cheerleader could find enough in common to fall in love. And it was the wonderful, safe, beautiful environment of Stetson’s campus that allowed our love to blossom and grow. We will be forever thankful that God brought us to Stetson for an incredible journey that has lasted well over 40 years.”

with contributions from Grace Aguda