On campus this blustery day — Jan. 15, 2026 — Stetson beamed with sunshine in the form of its new Lynn Hall. In the early afternoon, the 305-room residence hall, the first built by the university in 20 years, was dedicated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony that literally brought chills, including the good kind.

“Lynn Hall elevates our residential experience with 305 thoughtfully designed beds, modern pod-style bathrooms, kitchens, study lounges and a great room that welcomes all students, faculty and staff,” said President Christoper F. Roellke, PhD, from the podium. “As I have stated before, ‘Lynn Hall represents our commitment to provide an unmatched student experience,’ and its central role in fostering community will support student success and lifelong connections.  

“With Lynn Hall now open, we mark a new chapter in residential living at Stetson — one that embraces inclusivity, connectivity and innovative design.”

The president thanked all involved, including the building’s namesake, university trustee Christine E. Lynn, whose generous support helped make the new hall possible. Then Roellke, speaking on behalf of the Steven Alexander, chair of the Board of Trustees (unavailable to attend), added: “Community is at the heart of Stetson, and Lynn Hall reflects what happens when we come together with shared purpose. The impact of this building will be lasting.

“As chair of the Board of Trustees, I have focused my time and energy on student success — on putting students first in the decisions the board makes and the investments it prioritizes. Lynn Hall is a tangible result of that time, energy and focus.”

Intentional Design for Students

While the symbolism of Lynn Hall will no doubt resonate, tours of the building that followed spoke even louder. Constructed in approximately 18 months, on time and on budget, Lynn Hall wowed with intentional design. The common refrain from those touring was the same as the students who moved in on Jan. 8: “beautiful.”

Among the highlights are 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. There is a great room, dubbed “The Living Room,” along with a courtyard and an amphitheater for hosting campus events. Also, 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. 

Scott Thacker, Stetson’s associate vice president of Facilities Management, pointed to the large community gathering space on the first floor of the building, which demonstrates “our purposeful effort to create space in this new building for all students on campus, including commuter students who now have another place they can come to study or hang out.” He noted that the outdoor spaces – the covered wrap-around porch, firepit, amphitheater, and ample other spaces to lounge and relax – “all speak to the thoughtful design, much of which resulted from feedback sessions with students during the design process.”

Further, he cited the blend of colors in the living areas, as well as the plentiful natural light from the large windows in each bedroom and in the shared living spaces. “The building was designed with student comfort and operational excellence in mind,” he commented.

In closing at the podium, Jessica Day, executive director of Residential Living and Learning at Stetson, crystallized the moment: “Today, we are no longer imagining. We are no longer sketching or planning or dreaming. Today, we are standing in front of the promise we made. … We said it would be a statement — a commitment to our students, to their experience, to their belonging. And today, that commitment has a front door, a lobby, a hallway, a room with a window, and a place where a student will sit on their bed and say, ‘I’m home.’ This is the first new residence hall built at Stetson in 20 years, and that matters. But what matters more is how and why it was built — not just to house students, but to center them.”

-Michael Candelaria