“I believe everything we’ve done up until this point, all the details, all the feedback is literally being showcased today — that we did the right thing, that we thought about students in this design, that this is what students needed here to feel connected and belonging and feel at home.”

Those were the words of Jessica Day, Stetson’s executive director of Residential Living and Learning, on Thursday morning, Jan. 8, as she watched (and helped) the first students move into Lynn Hall, Stetson’s new 305-bed residence hall in the heart of campus.

Construction began roughly 19 months ago and planning had started much earlier. Move-in day represented a much-anticipated culmination for all, with a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony set for Jan. 15 at 1 p.m.

First-year student Mackenzie Kraemer, originally from Connecticut, was moving in after one semester at Nova Southeastern University. “I am just so excited. This is gorgeous!” she said about Lynn Hall.  “I’m so happy to be living here.”

Her father, Eric Kraemer, echoed that emotion, commenting, “This is beautiful. The weather’s beautiful. Obviously, coming from Connecticut, it was 23 degrees when we left, so it’s good to be here!”

Approximately 200 students were part of the initial move-in, mostly students relocating from Smith Hall, which is now offline, and Gordis Hall, along with some international students, transfer students and students who are first time in college.

Chester Arder, a sophomore from St. Augustine, was among those moving from Smith Hall. The smile on his face almost said it all. For good measure, he added: “It’s really nice here. It’s as nice in a lot of hotels I’ve seen.”

In all, Lynn Hall features a mix of traditional double-occupancy rooms and individual rooms with both suite-style and fully enclosed private community “pod”-style bathrooms. The rooms are complemented by dynamic communal areas, large kitchen and laundry room on each floor, study lounges on each wing, and other inviting gathering spaces designed to foster academic success and meaningful connections among Hatters. Also, open to all students, faculty and staff is a great room — “The Living Room” — along with a courtyard and an amphitheater for hosting campus events. Further, the building’s modern design and prime location near Templeton Fountain and the Carlton Union Building promise to make it a pivotal hub for community-building on campus. 

Miles Taylor, a first-year student from Tallahassee, was among the students who relocated from Gordis Hall. Studying Arts and Music, he wasn’t shy about tooting the horn for shiny new Lynn Hall.

“Literally my first day here on campus [in August], I saw the construction, and I was like, ‘I’m going to move there’ — because I could just tell by the vision that this was going to be nice,” Taylor said. “Even just looking at the chairs here, all this stuff is beautiful. That shows Stetson really cared about this building. They intentionally chose every bit of design to make it the best possible experience for the students here.”

-Michael Candelaria