A New Fountain for Stetson

Cory Lancaster August 2, 2019
colored lights in the fountain at dusk
The environmentally friendly Templeton Fountain uses a sloping surface to gently drain and collect water from the jets. Then, pumps and filters recycle the water. The only water lost is due to evaporation. Photo by Ciara Ocasio/Stetson

Stetson’s new Templeton Fountain came to life this week with jets of water and colored lights in the recently added green space, east of the Carlton Union Building.

Troy Templeton, a Double Hatter and former university Trustee, and his wife Sissy donated the fountain for the spot which is visible through the two-story wall of glass in the Commons Dining Hall.

Wendy Libby stands in the fountain with worker talking about fountain
President Wendy B. Libby, PhD, stops by to check on the new Templeton Fountain and talk with Robert Engler, owner of Crystal Waterscapes, just days before the fountain was turned on.

The fountain has 41 jets of water, colored lights and speakers for sound. Robert Engler, owner of Crystal Waterscapes in Naples, and foreman Joel Garcia painted the Stetson University seal on the concrete pad earlier this week and made last minute preparations to turn it on.

The fountain’s debut comes just weeks before students return for fall semester. Residence halls open Aug. 17-18, and classes begin Aug. 22.

workers plant shrubs near the new fountain
Stetson grounds maintenance worker Octavio Mujica Rendon helps to plant landscaping east of the Carlton Union Building.

Over the summer, while work continued on the fountain, the Stetson grounds crew transformed the area east of the CUB into a green space with Sabal palms, Shumard oaks, sod and other plants.

The fountain will be dedicated in October.