Trustee Emerita Dolly Hand was a pioneer, graduating from Stetson University College of Law in 1949 at age 20, the only woman in her class and the youngest person at the time to graduate from the law school.

She and her husband Homer Hand were noted philanthropists, generously supporting her alma mater through the years.

Frances “Dolly” Rutledge Hand (’49 LLB, ’08 Hon.) passed away Saturday, Jan. 6. 

Dolly was extremely active in her community, leading the effort to create a performing arts center for the Belle Glade community, which opened in 1982 and now bears her name. Her educational and cultural commitments have also led to vital community programs, such as the Center’s CAFE (Cultural Arts for Education) Series, which serves more than 12,000 students each year.

Dolly received numerous awards and recognitions, including Stetson’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the CHIEF (Champion of Higher Independent Education in Florida) Award, Belle Glade Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award, Distinguished Service Award from the Belle Glade Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Arts Recognition Award, and, in 2007, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the College of Law.

Dolly was elected to Stetson University’s Board of Trustees in 1994 and received an honorary doctorate in 2008. She was named Trustee Emerita in 2012. Her husband, Homer, was made an Honorary Alumnus in 2010. In October 2010, the College of Law named the Dolly and Homer Hand Law Library in their honor. Homer Hand passed away on Nov. 5, 2022.

At a naming ceremony for the law library in 2010, Dolly said, “The greatest honor I have received on this day is to look up on that wall and see my name next to Homer’s. For that is the way it has always been and that is the way it will always be …. Homer and Dolly, side by side.”

The couple generously supported Stetson. Dolly Hand donated funds for the construction of the Homer and Dolly Hand Art Center on the DeLand campus. Their support also made possible the Hand Awards for Distinguished Faculty Achievements; the Dolly and Homer Hand Scholarship and Global Awareness Scholarship for Study Abroad; and the University Chaplain Endowment Fund.

A service for Dolly is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 12, at 11 a.m. at Community Methodist Church, 401 SW 1st St. in Belle Glade, FL.

-Stetson Today