Year in Review: Major Construction Projects, New Initiatives and National Recognition
At Stetson, calendar year 2025 could be symbolized by a campus that was both literally rising toward the sky and being lauded nationally for excellence.
Setting the tone, the Stetson community held an emotional Hulley Tower groundbreaking ceremony in February for its historic reconstruction on campus.
Among the accolades were the Princeton Review’s selection of Stetson as one of the “Best Colleges in America,” in August, along with a “College of Distinction” and one of the “Best Colleges” in America by The Wall Street Journal.
Institutional evolution was evident, too, with the unveiling of a revised set of values in November.
Also, there was a fall Homecoming for students and alumni. Meanwhile, a shiny new residence hall, beckoned to start the new year.
Hats off, indeed, to 2025.
JANUARY
As the year began, a small group of Stetson alumni issued a $1 million challenge to fellow alumni and friends to raise the final $1 million for the Stand Up Hulley project. The project — and the Soul of Stetson — gained significant momentum.
The university announced that its ambitious Free Inquiry & Expression and the Future of Democracy Series would continue throughout the spring semester. The spring series began with “Debating American Global Leadership.”
More than 100 student organizations participated in the Student Involvement Fair, emblematic of on-campus vibrancy.
FEBRUARY
The Stetson community gathered in mass to celebrate the Hulley Tower groundbreaking ceremony.
Undergraduate students from across the country arrived on campus for the annual Templeton Business Ethics Case Competition, hosted by the School of Business Administration.
The 2025 Spring Internship & Career Expo — Stetson’s first such springtime event since 2019 (before the COVID-19 pandemic) — was held and deemed a “big success.”
MARCH
As another example of Hatters helping Hatters, Stetson’s Third Annual Giving Challenge — 36 hours during March 12-13 — resulted in 737 donors totaling $241,537 for Stetson scholarships and programs.
In a continuing effort to bring notable speakers on campus, Stetson’s student Model Senate hosted U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos ’92.
During the first Hatter Saturday of the year, the Stetson campus was filled with the resounding sounds of the Victory Bell, as accepted students made the decision to officially become Hatters. A second Hatter Saturday was held a month later.
Continuing its important work to address the state’s most pressing water challenges, the university’s Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience (IWER) presented “Florida Water Policy: Chatting with the Experts,” bringing together leaders in environmental law, advocacy and science. A few weeks later, IWER received a $1,243,397 grant from from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for a project called “BioMaze Advanced Septic Treatment Systems: Evaluating Nitrogen Reduction Efficacy and Organic Matter Conversion to Mitigate Harmful Algal Blooms.”
APRIL
Following a successful one-year pilot program, Stetson announced the official launch of Hatter Ready, a program that provides immersive learning opportunities for all students and prepares them for successful careers.
The 25th annual Stetson Showcase of student research was a huge success, featuring approximately 150 projects from academic programs throughout the campus.
MAY
Emblematic of academic rigor, Stetson became the newest chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon, the national honorary mathematics society. It was the society’s 412th chapter and the 12th in Florida.
The School of Music’s Symphonic Band traveled to Costa Rica for its first-ever international tour, including concerts at prestigious venues.
In DeLand, more than 600 Stetson graduates were recognized and celebrated during the 139th annual commencement ceremonies. In Gulfport, the College of Law celebrated more than 300 new graduates.
The DeLand campus hosted the 11th Annual Ending Poverty and Homelessness Conference, with a focus on human rights and human trafficking.
Designed as a launching point into Stetson life, the third annual Summer Orientation was held on campus, including a special overnight experience for new students.
JUNE
The Stetson Surf Club won its first-ever surfing championship, making university history for the non-scholarship club sport. At the National Scholastic Surfing Association East Coast College Championships, the team was led by a first-year student.
JULY
Four Hatters were selected during the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft, Stetson Baseball’s largest draft class since 2018.
AUGUST
The School of Business Administration was named one of the “Best On-Campus MBA Programs for 2025” in America by The Princeton Review.
The newly established Department of Cultural, Civic and Community Engagement was announced, strengthening the university’s focus on relationship-rich learning experiences for students.
The Princeton Review selected Stetson as one of the “Best Colleges in America” for 2026, honoring the institution for the 11th straight year.
Stetson was included among The Wall Street Journal’s 2026 “Best Colleges in the U.S.” — a ranking based on how well schools prepare their graduates for financial success.
The university was named a national College of Distinction for the third straight year, with special recognition in categories such as business programs, career development and exceptional support for international students.
SEPTEMBER
Stetson was voted “Central Florida’s Favorite College” for 2025, winning a competition by The Orlando Sentinel among 29 colleges.
Stetson Votes Week, Sept. 15-19, was filled with vibrant nonpartisan voter engagement on campus, a rock concert, national speakers, trivia contests and giveaways.
U.S. News & World Report again named Stetson among its “Best College in the South.”
Student leaders of different political parties on campus set an impressive example for civil discourse in the wake of political violence.
OCTOBER
More than 350 students and alumni met with 60-plus organizations during the Fall Internship & Career Expo on campus.
The Princeton Review named Stetson among its “2026 Green Colleges.”
The National Science Foundation awarded Stetson $2 million to provide academic and financial support for students pursuing STEM careers.
The National Institutes of Health granted the university nearly $550,000, with the funding intended to bolster efforts to continue high-impact biomedical research on campus for students.
Homecoming 2025’s theme of “Hatters Make History” turned out to be aptly labeled, as students reveled and alumni returned to a proud university and celebrated the past.
NOVEMBER
Pre-Law students start a chapter of the National Black Law Students Association.
Values Day 2025, Nov. 13, saw a campus community come together to pause and reflect on the university’s core values, while a revised set of those values was unveiled.
The Military Times included Stetson on its 2025 “Best for Vets: Colleges” list, ranking the university among the best colleges in America for veterans and military-connected students.
DECEMBER
Hulley Tower’s new carillon bells arrived on campus and were installed, marking a milestone moment as the reconstruction neared completion.
The campus community celebrated the holidays, highlighted by Stetson’s 77th annual Yule Log Lighting Ceremony, an opportunity to “meet the bells” of the Hulley Tower and enjoy real snow.
An informal preview of Lynn Hall, Stetson’s new residence hall, symbolized the promise of the year ahead.
