Hatters don’t just stand back and watch.

That opening statement of the cover story in the new SU Magazine describes profoundly what being a Hatter is all about. It’s passion – for learning, serving, teaching, researching and giving to the world.

The new edition of SU Magazine shares a rich selection of stories about how students, faculty, staff and alumni make a positive impact in the world.

“With Great Impact,” the cover story, goes in-depth into community engagement at Stetson. Among the highlights: how 500 incoming freshmen spent Hatter Saturday packing 26,000 nutritious meal boxes for children in Honduras and central Florida in partnership with the Feeding Children Everywhere organization; the research and development of the new Stetson Social Justice Index by Associate Professor of Decision and Information Sciences John Tichenor and his students; and Stetson’s second year in a row hosting the national IMPACT Conference focusing on service, civic engagement and advocacy.

“Having so many different service programs at Stetson not only impacts our community, it’s a great networking opportunity for students to meet people who are passionate about the same things they are,” Associate Director of Community Engagement Savannah-Jane Griffin said in the story.

Story after story beyond the cover piece show that Hatter passion. Highlights from this edition include:

• University Band Director Bobby Adams’ 25 years at Stetson and 50 years in music education are celebrated with creation of the Bobby L. Adams Scholarship – p. 22-25
• Commencement 2012 – See photos and read about the big day, including this year’s award winners – p. 12-13 and 56-57
• Law, Literature & Film – Stetson College of Law students gain “A New Perspective” on the practice of law by studying fiction in film and literature – p. 26-29
• “Students help write a wrong” – a fascinating look at Assistant Professor of English Mark Powell’s writing workshop for inmates at the Lawtey Correctional Institution – p. 30-35
• FamilyEnterprisetakes the national spotlight as a distinctive program in theSchoolofBusiness Administration– p. 36-41
• Looking back at a former Stetson tradition, Rat Week – p. 42-47
• “19 Seasons 410 WINS” profiles Head Tennis Coach Pierre Pilote – p. 48-51
• The Last Word, by Assistant Professor of Counselor Education Meghan Walter, makes a compelling case for the responsibility of all of us to speak out when LGBT students are bullied – p. 66
• Plus, Class Notes featuring alumni accomplishments, campus and more athletics news, Homecoming 2012 and other upcoming events, marriages/unions, births, obituaries and how your gifts are put into action.

Read the electronic version of the new SU Magazine, and read past editions of SU and Visual at www2.stetson.edu/publications. When you’re through reading your hard copy of SU, share it with your friends, at your office or in an office where you do business!

— The Stetson Today team