Stetson’s calendar 2024 was highlighted by several landmark moments, each emblematic of the university’s movement toward “Florida gem to national treasure” — a direction chosen for Stetson’s FORWARD TOGETHER  Strategic Priorities Framework.

For example, one could feel advancement literally blowing in the wind with the announcement and subsequent official groundbreaking of a new 305-bed residence hall. The residence hall, “laying the foundation for the future of the Stetson Experience,” will offer a mix of attractive living spaces for students.

Thoughts of the future and the past took shape as a reconstruction of historic Hulley Tower progressed from alumni idea to full-blown university initiative, prompting a final fundraising effort that gave real hope for a groundbreaking early next year.

In March, the Stetson Experience reached new heights as the men’s basketball team advanced to its first NCAA Tournament, bringing unprecedented national attention to the campus. In the end, let’s just say that never has a loss on the scoreboard meant so much to the university.

Finally, as the year unfolded, one overriding sentiment carried the day — Soul of Stetson, described as the “best within us” and a “spirit of community,” and promising more advancement moving into 2025.

January

Coming off surprise success, the upstart Undergraduate Moot Court Team is on its way to American Moot Court Association Moot Nationals at Louisiana State University.

The Office of University Events & Conference Services is introduced, offering a full suite of services and campus spaces for event rentals and conference programming to alumni and the surrounding community.

In celebration of achievements and continued contributions, the School of Music presents its inaugural Outstanding Music Alumni Awards.

February

In what is the first of several significant impacts in 2024, Stetson’s Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience helps to protect historical North Central Florida farmland. The protection comes by virtue of one of the first agreements of its kind in the Florida. 

Following an extensive search, Erin Doggette, PhD, is named the new director of Diversity and Inclusion, highlighting strengthened related efforts throughout the campus.

March

President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD, officially unveils the university’s FORWARD TOGETHER Strategic Priorities Framework, 2023-2030, with an emphasis on kindness, flexibility and collaboration.

Hatters men’s basketball achieves the unprecedented, advancing for the first time to the NCAA Tournament — the Big Dance. In the end, a two-week assortment of media posts, videos and photo galleries resulted in approximately 1.32 million impressions, among many other benefits.

For the third consecutive year, Stetson is named as one of the country’s Top 50 programs for game design by The Princeton Review.

Following a national search, Katy Webb is selected as the new Betty Drees Johnson Dean of the duPont-Ball Library and Learning Technologies.

Students in the School of Business Administration continue to display national prowess in investments, sales and ethics (occurring one month later).

AdventHealth and Stetson expand their partnership, with AdventHealth becoming the new official Health Care Provider of Stetson University Athletics.

April

Ricky Ray, an experienced leader in intercollegiate athletics at William & Mary, is selected as Stetson’s new Director of Athletics.

For the second year in a row, Stetson University College of Law receives elite national rankings from the U.S. News & World Report in Trial Advocacy and Legal Writing.

Stetson Showcase, established in 1999 as a celebration of student achievement, lives up to its theme: “Together, Be Heard.”

Upon request from the university’s Board of Trustees, President Roellke signs a contract extension through 2030.

May

In a partnership that exemplifies the university’s commitment to providing real-world, professional experiences, four School of Music students are selected to become Opera Orlando apprentices for the 2024-2025 season.

The 2024 Academic Awards and Recognition ceremony shines the spotlight on outstanding students and the faculty who helped them.

Stetson holds its 138th annual Commencement ceremonies, May 9 for the School of Music and School of Business Administration, and May 10 for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Kyle Longest, PhD, is selected as the next Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences through a national search that attracted a robust and highly qualified applicant pool.

June

The second annual Summer Orientation Program represents continual expansion, as the program is packed with fun and engaging activities designed to connect new students with the Stetson community and campus life.

July

With the formal blessing of the Board of Trustees, greater faculty-mentored, hands-on student learning is planned under a new pilot program for the 2024-2025 academic year. 

As part of College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, Roellke joins dozens of other college presidents from across the country to help uphold free expression.

Efforts to reconstruct historic Hulley Tower gain momentum as the university receives a $500,000 historic preservation grant from the State of Florida. (The grant is awarded in July and reported in August.)

August

The university announces that Stetson Athletics enjoyed a record-breaking 2023-2024 year, marked by significant milestones in on-field achievements, national media exposure and revenue generation.

The university receives national recognition as a College of Distinction for the second consecutive year, with additional awards for its Business and Education programs, and initiatives for Equity & Inclusion, and Career Development.

University Trustee Amy R. Rigdon ’05, ’08 JD keynotes the Opening Convocation for the 2024-2025 academic year by advising students to “try on different hats” and “invest in yourself.”

The official groundbreaking is held for the new 305-bed residence hall, with plans that promise a “mix of attractive living spaces” for students.

September

For the 10th consecutive year, Stetson is named as one of The Princeton Review’s Best 390 Colleges in America for 2025.

Adding to the university’s positive recognition, U.S. News & World Report ranks Stetson as the seventh Best Regional University in the South while also citing Stetson as one of the Most Innovative and Best Value Schools for 2025.

Stetson’s Fall 2024 Internship & Career Expo attracts 54 exhibitors and approximately 400 students, with the event also drawing praise for effectiveness.

October

Roellke is named one of the city’s “50 Most Powerful People” by Orlando Magazine. Reasons include the “Florida gem to national treasure” goal and “building a culture rooted in kindness and empathy.”

More recognition: The Princeton Review names Stetson a Green College by virtue of the university’s “strong commitment to sustainability.”

During the 2024 State of the University Address, Roellke reveals new plans and priorities for Moving Forward Together. “The guiding theme that anchors all of our strategy is relationship-rich education. It’s in our DNA!” he says.

November

In an innovative approach to public opinion research, the university unveils “What Should Stetson’s Values Be?” The survey is designed to allow all students, faculty, staff, alumni and other university leaders to have a voice.

More success comes from Stetson’s Undergraduate Moot Court Team, as well as the Mock Trial Team, with impressive competition performances that belie the programs’ youth.

Fundraising for Hulley Tower nears completion, as alumni and friends contribute nearly $4.5 million and a $1 million challenge is announced.

The university reveals that only $3.4 million remains to be raised for Edmunds Center renovations toward a $15.5 million goal, with the hope gifts and commitments are in place by February 2025 to avoid delays.

December

In what is a Stetson tradition dating back 76 years, the Yule Log celebration is a rousing tribute of light over darkness.

The university is named to the 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting list, with student-driven Stetson Votes cited as a catalyst. (Also, in October the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge recognizes Stetson for excellence in its nonpartisan democratic engagement efforts.)

-Michael Candelaria