For the Messersmith family Stetson University’s Homecoming 2015 was more than a traditional gathering: It was a multi-generational family reunion comprising a beautiful canvas of Stetson students and alumni.

The impact of this family on Stetson — and the university’s impact on the family — began in the late 1950s with Fred Messersmith, the patriarch of the family and of Stetson’s art program. Messersmith, who hailed from West Virginia and later Wesleyan University, visited Stetson in 1958 with the “invite-an-artist-to-campus” program. Afterward, he applied for a faculty position at Stetson.

“Fred came home and announced to our family, ‘We’re moving to DeLand!’” said Jane Messersmith ’81. “Pregnant with our fourth child at the time, we packed up the children, and off we went.”

From the late 1950s through the mid-1970s, Stetson became a renowned art hub in the Southeast, and Messersmith was a key component in that venture. He served as chair of the Art Department for 30 years and, after retiring, he was commissioned by then-President H. Douglas Lee to serve as artist-in-residence. During that time, Messersmith made his indelible mark on Stetson by painting pictures of buildings on campus. Many of those framed paintings are still hanging in Stetson buildings today.

Jane is a former Mrs. West Virginia 1957 and fourth runner-up Mrs. America 1957, whose entry to the pageant was submitted by her biggest fan, her husband. After giving back to the community and nurturing six children of their own, she continues to work locally with the preschoolers at Trinity United Methodist Church. Jane was recently presented the Dorothy Johnson Award for Service by the Museum of Art – DeLand.

“We grew up running around this beautiful campus,” said Patti Messersmith Turken ’82, fifth of the six siblings, all of whom attended Stetson. Patti, a professional artist in upstate New York, is grateful to Stetson, with high praise for President Wendy Libby’s commitment to inclusion and innovation.

“Don’t take anything for granted; fully engage yourself here on campus in every aspect,” Patti said, offering advice for young Hatters. “Take advantage of every opportunity and use your time here to network future possibilities.”

Linda Messersmith ’76, M. Ed.’86, met her husband, Bill Armour ’70, M.B.A. ’76, at Stetson. Armour had served in the Student Government Association and ROTC and then served in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1974. He earned his graduate degree the same year he and Linda married. For more than 21 years, Linda has given back to DeLand as a counselor and counselor supervisor in the Volusia County school system.

Jane earned her Master of Arts the same day her son Harry received his undergraduate degree in art. Harry lives his life under his father’s influence and Stetson’s significance in action, having held several director and executive director of art positions.

“I had the unique opportunity of being an art student of my father’s,” said Harry in a 2009 Orlando Sentinel article about Messersmith’s death. “I became attracted to it by his example and drawn to it by his talent.”

Harry has indeed paid it forward by giving abundantly of his time, talent and resources to Stetson and to the DeLand community, including the inception and design of the annual DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts.

Ever supportive of one another, the siblings spoke fondly of their sister Mary ’84, a veterinarian practicing in California, and spoke with pride of their brother Robert, who attended Stetson 1972-73 and works for AT&T in Gainesville, Fla. Previously, Robert helped build Trident submarines in Rhode Island. Oldest brother Jeff ’71, M.A. ’80, taught for many years at Seminole Community College (now Seminole State College).

A new generation of Messersmiths is being added to the Stetson tapestry. James Turken, Patti’s son, is in the class of 2019.

“What drew me to Stetson was my Uncle Harry’s influence, our mutual love for all things cars, Stetson’s small class size, the weather and, of course, my grandfather’s Stetson legacy,” said Turken, with gratitude and honor.

“From here, you really can go anywhere in the world,” said Jane about the university that has had such a tremendous impact on her family. “Stetson is your oyster.”

By Caroline Skinner

Note: This article originally appeared in the Spring 2016 issue of Stetson University Magazine. To read the entire magazine, click here. The next issue of the magazine is scheduled for publication this fall.