During the 2023 Homecoming State of the University Address President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD, talked about a 140-year past, beginning with how Henry DeLand founded DeLand Academy, a prep school, which later became Stetson University.

On Friday afternoon, Oct. 25, as part of his 2024 Homecoming address, Roellke spoke of a future that, not surprisingly, also embraces that past in a big way. At the podium, steps in front of iconic Hulley Tower, Roellke extended his arms to the gathered alumni, students, faculty and staff and talked about what’s ahead.

The president revealed plans and priorities for a university decidedly Moving Forward Together by intertwining the themes of Soul of Stetson and the reconstruction of Hulley Tower, the central strategic goal of advancing from “Florida gem to national treasure,” and the promise of fostering lifelong relationships and connections.

“The guiding theme that anchors all of our strategy is relationship-rich education. It’s in our DNA, and why kindness, empathy and shared aspirations matter,” he said with characteristic flair.

“Being connected through a robust alumni network is a win-win for our alumni, as well as for Stetson students who look to the network for career advice, a foot in the door for internships, jobs and more.”

In essence, Roellke continued, such connections represent the Soul of Stetson — an initiative that embodies the values and experiences of what it means to be a Hatter.

Soul of Stetson

Roellke touched on the past by retelling the story of the 1979 avalanche in Innsbruck, Austria, which took the lives of three Stetson students on a study abroad trip. Today, an alumni-led grassroots effort is working to historically reconstruct Hulley Tower and its 52-bell carillon — with bells from Austria. The project also will include a scenic plaza as a site of remembrance and a place for celebration. The campaign, Stand Up Hulley, has raised $2.5 million toward a $6.7 million goal.

“This past year,” he said, “what has become clear to me is that what alumni are calling the Soul of Stetson has emerged. It is who we have always been, but this spirit of community has become more tangible … as our strategic plan, Forward Together, comes to life.”

Focus on Students

In detailing the strategic plan behind advancing the university from “Florida gem to national treasure,” Roellke emphasized a focus on students — recruiting, retaining and graduating them while ensuring curriculum relevance and vitality; and creating a dynamic first-year residential living and learning experience.

More than ever before, student learning will be experiential, contemporary and integrative, he said. He pointed to a new initiative already making an impact, with full implementation scheduled for fall 2025, called Hatter Ready. The initiative is designed to combine academic excellence in the classroom with hands-on experiences. As a result, students acquire the practical and collaboration skills highly valued by potential employers.

“This academic year, more than 80 faculty will participate in the pilot program for the initiative, which reallocates faculty time to promote student engagement in relationship-rich, high [return-on-investment] practices,” Roellke described.

Achievements and Accolades

Roellke spoke about recent ROI. As Stetson advances from “Florida gem to national treasure,” his list of achievements and accolades — in the classroom and across the university — was lengthy.

Some highlights:

• The School of Music and Opera Orlando began a new Apprenticeship Pilot Program, with two students selected as apprentices who will perform with Opera Orlando. Other music students will, once again, perform at Carnegie Hall. …

• The Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience received a $1 million award from the National Science Foundation to lead a research-based pilot project to reduce flooding and improve water quality. The Institute also has collaborated with other environmental groups and governmental agencies to receive a $25 million federal grant for a “Lake to Lagoon” conservation program near the DeLand campus. Stetson students work side by side with their faculty mentors and community partners. Notably, Stetson garnered a total of $4.5 million in grant funding during the past fiscal year. …

• In the School of Business Administration, competition teams in Templeton Business Ethics, Centurion Sales and the Roland George Investments Program set and broke records as they consistently placed first against teams from other schools. The Centurion Sales team clinched a triple-crown win — placing first at the World Cup of Sales, the National Collegiate Sales Competition and the Global Bilingual Sales Championships. …

• The Center for Public Opinion Research received a $1 million commitment for enhancement from a trustee emeritus. CPOR is one of the branches of an envisioned Center for Democracy on campus. …

• Last summer, construction work began on a new 305-bed residence hall on campus. The four-story residence hall is scheduled to open in 2026. …

• Other construction/renovation projects include the Edmunds Center for athletics, where the summer brought new seating, restrooms, locker rooms and more. Also, Chaudoin Hall (built in 1892) was upgraded with new HVAC, elevator and suite-style living spaces. Plus, an elevator was added to Elizabeth Hall, first built in 1892. …

• This past year, the university raised $50,662,207, more than double the ambitious annual goal of $25 million and quadruple pre-pandemic fundraising efforts. …

• This fall, enrollment totaled 2,355 undergraduates and 424 graduate students on the DeLand campus, bringing total enrollment with Stetson’s College of Law to almost 3,800 — a 3% increase over fall 2023. The incoming class featured 688 first-time-in-college students, an increase of 8% over 2023, and 157 transfer students, up 31%.

• At the College of Law in Gulfport, enrollment exceeded 1,000 students for the first time in more than a decade. Meanwhile, Stetson Law was ranked No. 1 nationally in Trial Advocacy by U.S. News and World Report and No. 3 for Legal Writing. Stetson Law’s mock trial and moot court teams garnered top recognition in regional and national competitions. The Center For Excellence in Advocacy opened in 2023. The Veterans Law Institute and Veterans Advocacy Clinic received $438,000 in state funding for the current academic year. Those funds help the clinic provide free legal services to veterans and their families who are appealing disability benefit decisions. 

And so on.

‘Reflect on Your Why’

Clearly, while much is planned, much already is happening, Roellke concluded in his address.

Finally, the president invited alumni and students up to Hulley Tower, where they were asked to place candles around Hulley Tower “as you remember your own Stetson experience … as you reflect on your ‘why.’”

The scene — an ode to the past and a look ahead — was both fitting and touching for a university with an especially bright future.

-Michael Candelaria