Want to be part of the new Cici & Hyatt Brown Hall for Health & Innovation and the renovation of Sage Hall? If so, naming rights and gift opportunities are now available.

The university’s vision for the two-story, 40,000-square-foot Cici & Hyatt Brown Hall for Health & Innovation — informally known as Brown Hall — is to create spaces and experiences that will allow ideas, learning and interests to converge and evolve into ground-breaking discoveries and innovative pedagogy.

The design of the new facility will incorporate a diverse mix of formal and informal spaces that encourage opportunities for spontaneous collaborations that are critical for interdisciplinary discoveries. Flexibility in the design will support the continued development of Stetson’s interdisciplinary successes over time.

Specifically, Brown Hall will be home to the following areas of study in the College of Arts and Sciences: Environmental Science and Studies, Counselor Education, Health Sciences, Public Health, and Sustainable Food Systems, and the new Center for Optimal Health across the Lifespan.

Renovations to Sage Hall have resulted in a new cluster of research labs consisting of four different research areas that encompass cell culture and tissue culture research, as well as molecular and microscopy research. One example: A new vertebrate anatomy teaching lab will house an Anatomage Table — a fully segmented, real human 3D anatomy system.

The summer 2021 renovations also added formal and informal collaboration spaces for students on both floors of the building. In addition, changes to Sage Hall required upgrades to the building’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing infrastructure to support the demands of the new technology.

Further, the connection of Brown Hall and Sage Hall will preserve and strengthen the interdisciplinary interaction among disciplines that already have a shared focus.

Notably, majors within the natural sciences are the top fields of inquiry for prospective students. Meanwhile, health sciences and biology are two of the university’s most popular undergraduate majors. Positions in the health care industry are among the fastest-growing occupations between now and 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

That trend was part of the reason longtime Stetson trustees and philanthropic champions Cici and Hyatt Brown decided to invest in the expansion of the physical space for Stetson’s health and science programs.

The ultimate goal of the new facility is to help elevate Stetson’s presence in health sciences and the natural sciences; to attract more top-notch students, faculty and researchers; increase student interest in science; increase Stetson’s competitiveness for research grant funding opportunities; accelerate the readiness of students to meet the academic demands of health professional schools; and improve the health outcomes of Volusia County and the larger community through community engagement.

In turn, financial support, such as naming rights and gifts, from others in the Stetson community can make a real difference, said Krista Bofill, vice president of Development and Alumni Engagement.

Her message to potential donors: “Your investment impacts what happens inside these walls to ensure interdisciplinary experiences, research possibilities, and unlimited opportunities for the educational growth of students and faculty for generations to come. The financial need is great, and the needed outcome is there. Be a part of Stetson’s future and the future leaders we inspire.”

Editor’s note: For more information about available naming rights and gift opportunities, please contact Tara Hamilton at 386-822-7993 or [email protected].