Stetson’s annual Values Day — a one-day pause each fall that turns the DeLand campus into a classroom for dialogue, reflection, community action and fun through workshops, fairs and evening programs — has steadily evolved into one of the university’s signature traditions over the past three decades.

This year, on Nov. 13, the event-filled Values Day became historical, with the unveiling of Stetson’s revised set of university values.

The newly revised values: Intellectual Exploration. Inclusive Community. Human Dignity. Personal Growth.

Stetson’s previous guiding principles (Personal Growth, Intellectual Development and Global Citizenship) had been in place since 2014, and core university values were first introduced in the early 1990s under then-President H. Douglas Lee.

On this day, honors of the reveal went to David Hill, PhD, professor and Department of Political Science chair, and Rina Arroyo, presidential liaison for Philanthropic and Strategic Partnerships. Following the values reveal, Rev. Caitlin Swann, associate director of the Center for Dialogue & Civic Action, moderated a campus-wide session to discuss the values and how they can be lived out together as a community.

For more than a year, Hill and Arroyo had helped to lead an extensive deliberative polling method, a democratic process developed by the Deliberative Democracy Lab at Stanford University — to invite all members of the Hatter family to engage in the discussion of what Stetson’s values should be moving forward. 

In addition, numerous Stetson leaders worked to advance the process, including Stetson trustee Amy Rigdon, chair of the Board of Trustees’ Student Success and Experiences Committee. The Values Day announcement was the culmination of those efforts, which included multiple phases involving both the DeLand and College of Law Gulfport campuses.

As Hill explained to the large group of students, faculty and staff packed into the CUB’s Warren and Barbara Carr Stetson Room, the goal was to “make our values applicable to all community members and reflective of collective commitments.” He described the revised values as a “fresh articulation,” one that reflects post-COVID Stetson in today’s world under President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD.

“It’s a new era, new students, a lot of new faculty, a lot of new staff in our community,” Hill said. “So, it was important for us to really think about ‘Do our current stated values still align, or do we need to have a new articulation of the values?’”

Numerous voices were heard in a “structured and democratic dialogue” that “focused on informed discussion,” he added, noting that the process began with a survey sent out to approximately 36,000 Stetson community members.

The result is a set of values that “shapes our daily life on this university.”

“Values guide us,” Hill said. “The values should inform the university’s mission, and the mission should inform everything. That’s why we did this, and it’s why it’s super important. … It’s not just who you are; it’s who you want to be? Who does Stetson want to be? And so that’s why it’s important.”

“These values are in our DNA,” Arroyo concluded. “It’s who we are. It’s the way we live with one another, the way we treat one another on this campus. And I think today these values state something to the external community, as well.”

The Revised Values

Intellectual Exploration

We value exploration as a cornerstone of academic excellence and intellectual freedom. We champion the pursuit of truth through open inquiry and respectful debate, where ideas can be understood, tested and challenged. Curiosity and creativity are essential tools for solving real-world problems. By encouraging thoughtful questioning and responsible innovation, we prepare our students to lead with confidence in a competitive and ever-changing world.

Inclusive Community

We value community as a commitment to shared ownership, civic responsibility and active engagement. We work collaboratively across roles and disciplines, recognizing that our greatest strength lies in the relationships we build and nurture. Service with others — within our campus, our region, our nation and the international community — deepens our sense of purpose, connection and belonging. We also embrace environmental responsibility, recognizing the impact of sustainable practices and ecological awareness. By engaging with one another, we expand our perspectives, foster mutual understanding, and prepare ourselves to lead and serve in a global society.

Human Dignity

We value the dignity of every individual and believe that respect, civility and care are the foundation of a strong and inclusive society. We affirm the importance of treating others with fairness and compassion, regardless of differences. At Stetson, we foster a culture where people are encouraged to speak freely, listen openly and learn from one another. Through care, empathy and support, we nurture an environment in which all individuals are welcomed, empowered and able to thrive. Together, we cultivate a culture of compassion that strengthens both our shared humanity and our work to positively impact the lives of others.

Personal Growth

We value growth as a shared commitment that helps us navigate challenges with resilience and steadfastness. Through self-reflection, we deepen our understanding of our strengths and weaknesses and commit ourselves to continuous improvement and the pursuit of excellence. As a university community, we adapt to changing circumstances with flexibility and remain authentic to our values and purpose. Together, we grow as individuals and as an institution, preparing ourselves to face life’s complexities with wisdom, integrity and a strong sense of meaning.

What Changed — and Why

• Intellectual Development → Intellectual Exploration
  • Centers the university’s mission of inquiry and discovery.
• Global Citizenship → Inclusive Community
  • Broader scope: campus, local, national and global communities.
• Added Human Dignity and Kindness
  • Affirms the inherent worth of every person and to guide a relationship-rich, inclusive, and respectful campus culture that reflects who Stetson is today and aspires to be.
• Personal Growth Remained
  • Broader definition

Notes:

• Relationship-rich culture was incorporated into Inclusive Community and Human Dignity.
• Stewardship was not carried forward; it did not resonate with deliberative poll participants.