Newsroom

The Princeton Review Names Stetson University One of Best 387 Colleges in the U.S.

DELAND, Florida, Aug. 31, 2021 – Stetson University has been recognized as one of the leading undergraduate institutions in the country and region (Southeast) by The Princeton Review for the seventh year in a row. This honor is given to only about 14% of four-year colleges in the United States, and appears in the 2022 edition of The Best 387 Colleges. 

• Image: Stetson University President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD, Photo Credit: Stetson University, Ciara Ocasio

Stetson University Student Receives Esteemed UPS Foundation Scholarship Award

DELAND, Florida, Aug. 30, 2021 – Stetson University student Alariell Satcher, a junior health sciences major, has received the prestigious United Parcel Service (UPS) Foundation Scholarship Award. 

• Image 1: Alariell Satcher, Image courtesy of Stetson University/Ciara Ocasio
• Image 2: Heidi Goldsworthy, Image courtesy of Stetson University

Stetson University Announces U.S. Air Force Captain as Convocation Keynote Speaker

DELAND, Florida, Aug. 16, 2021 – Stetson University’s 2021-2022 academic year will formally open at a virtual convocation on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 5-6 p.m. This year’s keynote speaker, United States Air Force Captain and Stetson alumna Ashley Rutherford, PhD, will address faculty, staff and new and returning students during the ceremony. 

• Image 1: U.S. Air Force Captain Ashley Rutherford, PhD. Image courtesy of Ashley Rutherford.
• Image 2: United States Air Force Captain Ashley Rutherford, PhD, is behind the wheel of a military vehicle during her deployment in Afghanistan. Image courtesy of Ashley Rutherford.

Stetson University Requires COVID-19 Vaccination for Employees

DELAND, Florida, Aug. 11, 2021 – Stetson University announced during The Rolks Report Live webinar this afternoon that it is requiring all full-time employees to be fully vaccinated and to register their vaccination with the university by Thursday, Sept. 30. Exemptions will be allowed for medical conditions or religious beliefs. 

• Image: Stetson University President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD, Credit: Stetson University/Ciara Ocasio 

Stetson University's Hand Art Center Announces New Exhibits for Fall

DELAND, Florida, Aug. 9, 2021 – Historic building drawings from the 19th century and photos of public places during the COVID-19 pandemic will be on display at the Homer and Dolly Hand Art Center beginning Aug. 19. 

• Image 1: Oscar Bluemner, Stendal, 1892, Oscar Bluemner's "Stendal, 1892" drawing was created with pencil on paper and is on display during the “Oscar Bluemner: My Finest Design” exhibit at the Hand Art Center. Image courtesy of the Hand Art Center.
• Image 2: Deadland 803, 2018, The black-and-white photo of "Deadland 803, 2018" by photographer Matt Roberts, MFA, associate professor of digital arts at Stetson University, is one of the images on display during the “(un)Peopled: A Sense of Place” exhibit at the Hand Art Center. Photo by Matt Roberts, MFA.
• Image 3: Matt Roberts. Image courtesy of Stetson University.
• Image 4: James Pearson Headshot. Stetson University/Ciara Ocasio.
• Image 5: James Pearson. Stetson University/Ciara Ocasio

Stetson University Professor Receives Ambassador of the Year Award

DELAND, Florida, Aug. 5, 2021 – Lou Paris, MBA, director of the Prince Entrepreneurship Leaders Program, has received the Volusia County Business Incubator Powered by the UCF Business Incubation Program’s Ambassador of the Year Award. 

• Image: Lou Paris, Image courtesy of the Stetson University School of Business Administration

Two Stetson University Students Receive Free Tuition through Vaccination Incentive

DELAND, Florida, Aug. 4, 2021 – Vaccinated Stetson University students Marcus Boyd and Joshua Sanchez will be receiving free tuition for a year, thanks to the Safer Stetson Awards. 

• Image 1: Dr. Ray Nault, Image courtesy of Ray Nault, EdD
• Image 2: Joshua Sanchez, Image courtesy of Joshua Sanchez

Stetson University Announces New Executive Officer of Diversity, Inclusion and Collaboration

DELAND, Florida, July 26, 2021 -- Stetson University has selected Carmen Johnson, JD, as its new executive officer for Diversity, Inclusion and Collaboration. In that position, Johnson will lead the development and implementation of proactive diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in collaboration with the university’s existing support systems and in support of the university’s strategic plan to create a learning and working environment where all have an opportunity to succeed. 

• Image: Carmen Johnson, JD, Stetson University executive director for Diversity, Inclusion and Collaboration
  • Credit: Stetson University College of Law

Stetson University Selects Krista Bofill as New Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement

DELAND, Florida, July 6, 2021 – Stetson University President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD, announced today the appointment of Krista Bofill, MeD, as vice president for Development and Alumni Engagement. Her appointment begins on Aug. 1.

• Image 1: Krista Bofill, MEd, is Stetson’s new vice president, Development and Alumni Engagement. Image courtesy of Converse University 
• Image 2: Christopher F. Roellke, PhD, president, Stetson University. Photo credit: Stetson University/Ciara Ocasio

Stetson University Announces Senior Leadership Transitions

DELAND, Florida, June 16, 2021 – Stetson University President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD, announced today the planned departure of Lua Hancock, EdD, Vice President for Campus Life and Student Success (CLaSS), effective Wednesday, July 7, following her decision to step down from her position after more than a decade at Stetson. 

• Image: Lua Hancock, EdD, vice president, Campus Life and Student Success will leave July 7.

Stetson University Graduate Student Receives Rod Campbell Award

DELAND, Florida, June 15, 2021 – Stetson University School of Business Administration graduate student, Cedric Burkhardt, is the first recipient of the inaugural Rod Campbell Award. The recognition includes a paid summer apprenticeship in the motorsport industry. 

• Image 1: Cedric Burkhardt, winner of the inaugural Rod Campbell Award
• Image 2: John Riggs, DBA, Professor of Practice in Marketing and Director of the Centurion Sales Excellence Program at Stetson University

Media Alert: Brown Hall Groundreaking on June 11

DELAND, Florida, June 11, 2021 – Media are invited to join Stetson University for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Cici & Hyatt Brown Hall for Health & Innovation on Friday, June 11, 3 p.m., in front of the Sage Hall Science Center. 

• Rendering Image 1: The Cici & Hyatt Brown Hall for Health & Innovation will connect to Sage Hall Science Center through glass-enclosed walkways.
• Rendering Image 2: The Cici & Hyatt Brown Hall for Health & Innovation is named for longtime trustees and supporters Hyatt and Cici Brown who donated $18 million to the project in 2018.
• Rendering Image 3: The Cici & Hyatt Brown Hall for Health & Innovation will be a 120,000-square-foot science complex for students studying the health sciences, environmental sciences and other fields.

Stetson University Offers Free Tuition Award to Students to Promote Vaccination Ahead of Fall Semester

DELAND, Florida, June 4, 2021 – Stetson University is taking steps to ensure a healthy and safe campus environment for the fall semester by encouraging COVID-19 vaccination. One key incentive now being offered to students is the chance to win free tuition for a year. 

• Image: Raymond Nault, PhD, vice president, Enrollment Management

3 Stetson University Students Win Fullbright Scholarships

DELAND, Florida, June 1, 2021-- How’s this for an impressive Fulbright U.S. Student Program streak at Stetson? In the past two Fulbright award cycles three Hatters applied for the prestigious scholarships — and all three won. 

• Image 1: Estefany Arenas
• Image 2: Malina Moraels
• Image 3: Fred Lee

Stetson University Board of Trustees Approves 2021-2022 Budget

DELAND, Florida, May 24, 2021 – At its May meeting the Stetson University Board of Trustees approved a 2021-2022 budget to support the university’s move back to a fully on-campus, in-person learning experience for Fall 2021. The budget of $142.5 million includes increased use of housing and residence hall space for at least two students per room and increases the capacity of food services to provide ample dining and meal services to a larger residential living population.

• Image: Maureen Breakiron-Evans, Chair, Stetson University Board of Trustees

Summer Construction Sets Stage for New Cici & Hyatt Brown Hall for Health & Innovation 

DELAND, Florida, May 10, 2021 – This summer, Stetson University will break ground on the new Cici & Hyatt Brown Hall for Health & Innovation. The end result will be a 120,000-square-foot science complex for students studying the health sciences, environmental sciences and other fields. The building is named for longtime trustees and supporters Hyatt and Cici Brown who donated $18 million to the project in 2018. 

• Rendering Image 1: The Cici & Hyatt Brown Hall for Health & Innovation will connect to Sage Hall Science Center through glass-enclosed walkways.
• Rendering Image 2: The Cici & Hyatt Brown Hall for Health & Innovation is named for longtime trustees and supporters Hyatt and Cici Brown who donated $18 million to the project in 2018.
• Rendering Image 3: The Cici & Hyatt Brown Hall for Health & Innovation will be a 120,000-square-foot science complex for students studying the health sciences, environmental sciences and other fields.

Stetson University Hatters Head Baseball Coach Selected to Fly with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels

DELAND, Florida, May 6, 2021 – Stetson University Hatters Head Baseball Coach Steve Trimper has been selected by the United States Navy Blue Angels as a key influencer who positively impacts the community. Trimper will be flying with the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron on Wednesday, May 12. 

• Steve Trimper Blue Angels Image 1: Stetson University Hatters Head Baseball Coach Steve Trimper was selected as a key influencer in the community and had an opportunity to fly with the United States Navy Blue Angels on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Image courtesy: Steve Trimper
• Steve Trimper Blue Angels Image 2 by MC: United States Navy Blue Angels' #7/Narrator Lieutenant Julius Bratton presented Stetson University Hatters Head Baseball Coach Steve Trimper with a framed lithograph after his key-influencer flight on Wednesday, May 12. Photo credit: Stetson University/Michael Candelaria

Stetson University Entrepreneurship Students Win $20,000 at Pitch Competitions 

DELAND, Florida, May 6, 2021 – Stetson University School of Business Administration senior Nesha Mutuku of Atlantic Beach won first place and $10,000 during the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s virtual Launch Your Venture pitch competition. 

• Image 1: Lou Paris, MBA, Assistant Professor of Practice, Management; Assistant Director of the Prince Entrepreneurship Program
• Image 2: Nesha Mutuku
• Image 3: Kendall Buck shows off her latest invention, Herbie Rake.
• Video: Herbtastic video with Kendall Buck

Stetson University Commencement Returns to Spec Martin Memorial Stadium, May 7-9 

DELAND, Florida, May 5, 2021 – Stetson University expects to graduate 682 students at its 135th Commencement ceremonies this weekend at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium, 260 E. Euclid, DeLand. 

Stetson University Master of Accountancy Online Program Ranks in Top 50 Nationally

DELAND, Florida, April 28, 2021 – Stetson University has been recognized nationally for having one of the top online Master of Accountancy (MAcc) programs by Intelligent.com. The School of Business Administration program placed 47 out of 52 institutions, and is one of five leading universities in Florida. 

• Image 1: Neal Mero, PhD, Dean of the School of Business Administration
• Image 2: Maria Rickling, PhD, Associate Professor of Accounting, Chair of M.E. Rinker, Sr. Institute of Tax and Accountancy

Stetson University's Gillespie Museum Explores Gigantic Glowing Granite During Virtual Armchair Geology Science Café

DELAND, Florida, April 14, 2021 – The Llano Uplift is a geological wonder that features gobs of glowing granite from the Precambrian era, which predates the oldest dinosaurs. Ethan Fagan, the geology senior at The University of Texas at San Antonio, will be discussing "Granites in the Llano Uplift of Central Texas" during a live-streamed event on Thursday, April 22, 5-6 p.m.

• Ethan Fagan: Ethan Fagan, geology senior at The University of Texas at San Antonio, poses at the Llano Uplift in Llano, Texas.
• Ethan Fagan Collecting a Granite Sample at Llano Uplift: Ethan Fagan collects a granite sample at the Llano Uplift in Llano, Texas.
• Image courtesy: All images are courtesy of Ethan Fagan

Stetson University Theatre Arts Remembers Life Before COVID-19 in Virtual 'The Way Things Were'

DELAND, Florida, April 1, 2021 – Stetson University Theatre Arts ends its 115th season with a free, online performance entitled "The Way Things Were: A Virtual Theatrical Retrospective with First-Hand Accounts of Stetson University, DeLand and our Corner of Florida."

• Image 1: "The Way Things Were" cast pose in front of the "Pioneers at the Parceland," a public mural by artist Perego in historic downtown DeLand. This virtual theatre production by Stetson University Theatre Arts begins streaming on Thursday, April 15, 2021. Pictured from left to right: Delicia Bent, Hugh Kiser, Julexis Gonzalez, Jackson Gray, Liza Tananbaum and Caleb Roberts. Photo by Ken McCoy.
• Image 2: A backstage perspective of Stetson Theatre Arts senior Aliya Cruise as she performs in front of the camera in Stetson University Theatre Arts' virtual theatre production of "The Way Things Were," which begins streaming on Thursday, April 15, 2021. Photo by Ken McCoy.

Stetson University's Gillespie Museum Examines Rock Shapes and Shifts During Virtual Armchair Geology Science Café

DELAND, Florida, March 31, 2021 – Over time, rock formations move or shift to other locations on Earth. Plate tectonics theory examines the movement of Earth’s lithosphere, the outermost layer of gigantic plates of solid rock that glide over the asthenosphere, which is ductile and part of the Earth’s mantle.

• Image 1: Cheryl Waters-Tormey, PhD. Image courtesy of Cheryl Waters-Tormey, PhD

Stetson University Launches Online Sustainability Series

DELAND, Florida, March 30, 2021 – Sustainability in the workplace reduces waste and protects the planet for future generations. Eco-friendly initiatives have become essential company practices that benefit businesses by lowering energy consumption and costs and boosting brand awareness.

• Image 1: Bud Hanson, Stetson University
• Image 2: Lisa Colabello, Image courtesy of Lisa Colabello

3-Year Effort by Stetson University Professor Results in 35% Discount in Flood Insurance for Residents of Monroe County, Florida

DELAND, Florida, March 29, 2021 – For nearly three years, the Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience (IWER) at Stetson University assisted Monroe County in the Florida Keys with its watershed management plan.

• Image 1: Jason Evans, PhD, Stetson University. Photo by Ciara Ocasio, Stetson University
• Image 2: Jason Evans and Charles Abbatantuono, Jason Evans, PhD, executive director of the Stetson University Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience, and Stetson alumnus Charles Abbatantuono, are using an Online Positioning User Service (OPUS) elevation unit to collect and inventory GPS data on a stormwater in fall in Key Largo, Florida. Photo by Clearview Geographics, Alex Zelenski
• Image 3: Pictured (l to r) are Stetson students Emily Dolatowski ’18, Riley Bibaud ‘19 and Charles Abbatantuono ‘19. Photo by Jason Evans, Stetson University
• Image 4: Streets in Twin Lakes Subdivision in Key Largo, Florida, experienced flooding in 2019 after a storm. Photo by Monroe County, Rhonda Haag
• Image 5: Streets in Twin Lakes Subdivision in Key Largo, Florida, experienced flooding in 2019 after a storm. Photo by Monroe County, Rhonda Haag

Stetson University's RGIP Teams Place 1st and 3rd in CFA Institute Research Challenge

DELAND, Florida, March 22, 2021 – Two Stetson University student teams took first and third place during the virtual CFA (Chartered Financial Analysis) Institute Research Challenge. The Roland and George Investments Program's (RGIP) Stetson A and B teams used their analytical, valuation, report-writing and presentation skills to evaluate the online pet-product
company Chewy.com.

• Image 1: Matthew Hurst, PhD Stetson University/School of Business Administration
• Image 2: Ivy Nguyen Stetson University/School of Business Administration

World-Renowned Classical Guitarists Perform Virtually at Stetson University's Great Guitarists Extravaganza

DELAND, Florida, Feb. 25, 2021 – The classical guitar’s soft, smooth sounds have stood the test of time for four centuries. The acoustic, wooden guitar has nylon strings and a thin soundboard designed to project its warm sound in large, yet intimate concert halls, and continues to attract guitarists and audiences who are carrying the torch for generations to come.

• Image 1: Stephen Robinson, DM. Image courtesy of Stetson University School of Music
• Image 2: Irina Aleksandrova. Photo by Jose Pita Juarez
• Image 3: Dr. Ben Gateno. Photo by Jose Pita Juarez
• Image 4: Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo. Photo by Lisa-Marie Mazzucco

Articles Explore Race and Education in Stetson University's NBHIER Journal

DELAND, Florida, Feb. 16, 2021 – The Supreme Court of the United States outlawed segregation in public schools in the landmark ruling Brown v. Board of Education more than 65 years ago. But according to the Voices of Reform: Educational Research to Inform and Reform journal, racial segregation still exists in American public schools and is causing severe learning outcomes for students of color.

• Image 1: Lou L. Sabina, PhD. Image courtesy of Lou L. Sabina, PhD

Stetson University's Community Education Project Receives $359,000 Grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

DELAND, Florida, Feb. 15, 2021 – Stetson University’s Community Education Project (CEP), a multidisciplinary college-in-prison program, is expanding its humanities course offerings at the Tomoka Correctional Institution (TCI) in Daytona Beach thanks to a $359,000, two-year grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

• Image 1: Pamela Cappas-Toro, PhD. Stetson University
• Image 2: Sarah Cramer, PhD. Image courtesy of Sarah Cramer, PhD
• Image 3: Steven Smallpage, PhD. Stetson University

Fiber Art on Display at Stetson University's Gillespie Museum

DELAND, Florida, Jan. 25, 2021 – Kayla Powers' "Naturally Dyed Textiles" exhibit will include six individual art pieces that feature various textile techniques and a range of natural color, Feb. 1-26, at the Rinker Environmental Learning Center's environmental gallery, 230 E. Michigan Ave., DeLand, 32723. The building is adjacent to the Gillespie Museum on Stetson University’s campus.

• Image 1:  Natural Dye Color Board: The natural dye color board features flowers, leaves and other plant parts and the color pigments each one produces. Image Courtesy of Kayla Powers
• Image 2: Local Color Photo: Kayla Powers designed an outdoor installation titled "Local Color," which was a year-long study of natural dye plants found in Detroit, Michigan. Photo by Noah Elliott Morrison
• Image 3: Kayla Powers. Photo by Jacob Lewkow

Science Meets Art at Stetson University's Gillespie Museum and Hand Art Center

DELAND, Florida, Jan. 21, 2021 – This past year, the COVID-19 pandemic revealed how vulnerable the world is to unexpected crises. The same can be said about the environment, which is fragile and impacted by overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

• Image 1: Alan Sonfist in his Art Studio Photo. Image Courtesy of Jacob Savitt
• Image 2: Earth Monument to South Florida: The "Earth Monument to South Florida," is one in a series of stone sculptures collectively known as "Corings: 1971-2012," based on the geology of urban landscapes by land-art pioneer Alan Sonfist. Image courtesy: Image courtesy of Alan Sonfist
• Image 3: Earth Paintings: The "Earth Paintings" series features soil, mineral content and organic glue, which holds the earth onto the canvas. Image courtesy: Image courtesy of the Hand Art Center

Stetson University School of Business Administration Named One of Best Business Schools by Princeton Review

DELAND, Florida, Jan. 6, 2021 – Stetson University has been named one of the most outstanding business schools in the country by The Princeton Review, which recently released its list of 2021 Best Business Schools. Stetson moved its MBA program to an online-only program in 2019.

• Image: Neal Mero, PhD, dean, Stetson University School of Business Administration