A small group of Stetson alumni have come together to issue a $1 million challenge to fellow alumni and friends to raise the final $1 million in the Stand Up Hulley project. With this challenge, fundraising is now at $5.5 million toward a $6.7 million goal.

“This remarkably generous donation by our alumni will challenge and inspire others to contribute and allow us to get to the finish line—to Stand Up Hulley!” says alumnus Jep Barbour ’79, who co-chairs the steering committee leading this effort.

The grassroots, alumni-led effort to historically reconstruct Hulley Tower at Stetson University got a boost in the past week with the announcement that the campaign—which was at $2.5 million in fundraising prior to Homecoming in late October—had received gifts that now place the campaign at $5.5 million with the issuing of this $1 million challenge. Alumni are pushing to have fundraising complete by February 2025.

“Hulley Tower has become to many in the Stetson community a symbol of the Soul of Stetson—the best within us,” says Amy Gipson, a Stetson alumna and associate vice president of Development and Communications, who serves as Stetson’s lead on the multifaceted project.

Dozens of alumni are funding bells in the 52-bell carillon, whether in honor of family, other loved ones or for their Greek organization. In order to have bells cast in time for assembly into the carillon for Hulley Tower’s belfry, gifts and gift commitments should be received by Dec. 18.

“Our family is thrilled to be part of bringing back an important part of our shared Stetson history,” says alumnus Ed Patricoff ’82, JD ’85, who is funding the Patricoff Family Water Bell. “The memories I have of the Hulley Tower chimes ringing are ones I cherish. When I’m traveling throughout Europe, and I hear bells from cathedrals ring, I’m taken back to my Stetson days. As a double-Hatter, I could not be prouder to be a part of the Stand Up Hulley project, and I invite others to invest in restoring this important part of our history.” 

Notably, with great symbolism, when a water bell is hit by a mallet, one can feel and see the vibrations in the water.

Gifts announced last week include the naming of the Historical Memorial by Wayne Novak and Jane Edmunds Novak, Stetson trustee emerita and daughter of the former president and chancellor J. Ollie Edmunds, who led Stetson 1947 to 1967, and Emily Edmunds; the naming of Brockway Plaza by alumni Susan ’79 and Peter ’78 Brockway; and Mildred’s Firepit by the family and friends of alumna Mildred Cross Spalding ’81.

“Alumni and community support for Stand Up Hulley has been nothing short of remarkable,” says Karen Schmitt Roberts ’80, steering committee co-chair. “The enthusiasm, passion and collective energy emanating from the Hulley Tower initiative is palpable. Rallying around the rebuild of this historical and important Stetson edifice is nothing short of a miracle, and reflects a deep reverence for Stetson traditions coupled with connectivity and celebration that will continue long into the future.” 

Fundraising began in 2023. Pending the campaign reaching its $6.7 million goal, the university is tentatively planning a groundbreaking ceremony for late February, with construction expected to be complete in November 2025.