A brilliantly sunny April 11 day at Stetson turned out to be robustly spirited and productive, as the university showed off its campus to 228 prospective new students and 664 attendees in all during the second of two Hatter Saturdays. The buzz was distinct, starting early morning at an energetic Edmunds Center opening session. And the sounds were joyous. As is tradition, every time accepted students officially committed to become Hatters, they rang Stetson’s Victory Bell, accompanied by confetti streams and loud cheers.

The continuous rings were a telling sound that the university had struck a chord with students and their families.

Julia Oyler Bradley and daughter Kylie, from Fairhope, Alabama, were all smiles. Kylie had just let her intentions known by ringing the bell on stage, as Stetson President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD, and Stetson Board of Trustees Chair Steven Alexander applauded nearby.

Kylie plans to pursue a pre-veterinarian major with a music minor. She made her Stetson decision after considering several larger schools, including LSU, Auburn and the University of Florida, as well as options like Flagler College. The primary reasons for choosing Stetson were the small classes sizes, the generally comfortable and supportive campus feel, and a strong pre-veterinary program.

“I was looking for a smaller school, one that really just kind of felt right — one that I could see myself going to. And Stetson was it,” Kylie said.

Her mother added that a Music professor made an especially strong impression by emphasizing academic rigor. “The professor said, ‘There is rigor here, but we’ll appreciate that when the student graduates,” noted Julia, adding, “I am very at peace with this decision. We love what we see, and we’re very happy with what can be offered here.”

Another differentiator: Stetson’s pet-friendly culture, as Kylie has a service animal named Rayna. And it certainly didn’t hurt that the surrounding town of DeLand was “charming, safe and similar to our hometown,” mom cited.

Justin Shelton with son Brock, from Clermont, Florida, also believed in the Stetson fit. For them, the university’s strong Accounting program, hometown proximity (about 58 miles away) and picturesque setting were key. They had visited previously, and on this day their thoughts were confirmed. “This is a beautiful campus, and I like the class sizes, how it’s more intimate,” said Brock.

“Basically, I’m just excited for him to blaze his own trail,” said dad. “It’s exciting because it’s a big deal for him to take the first big steps toward his own career.”

Brock had already made a friend, too. He was standing next to Christian Pollicino, who also rang the Victory Bell. A Marine Biology major from Parkland, Florida, Christian will be Brock’s new roommate in August. They were paired through Stetson Housing and subsequently connected on Instagram to begin to jump-start their journeys.

Patrick Vogel began finding such connections as a prospective student on a Hatter Saturday visit in 2023. That day, he learned about Stetson club sports, particularly Club Tennis, from among the numerous student organizations that were exhibiting. Now a junior, Vogel is the president of Club Tennis. In a full-circle moment, he was seated at a table in hopes of attracting new members to join.

Such were the stories on this Hatter Saturday, when Stetson, with a historical focus on students that has only strengthened in recent years, had a chance to show it.

“We’re an institution of relationships, and it starts from the top,” said Board of Trustees Chair Steven Alexander. “And relationships are designed from the board of trustees all the way down to incoming students. It’s important for me to be here to show parents and prospective students that the trustees, along with everyone else here at Stetson, are committed to our students.”

-Michael Candelaria