SPRING/SUMMER 2009

1. Marcia McDonald ’74, Michelle Hall Hungate ’90, Heather Brown ’04 and Jon ’04 Gosnell, and Paula Slusher ’71 and Dan ’76 Feather attend the Hatters vs. Belmont Bruins Men’s Basketball game in Tennessee.2. W. Scott Boyer ’98, John Rosbottom ’97, Yeliah and Raymond ’96 Diaz and Cory Lowery ’99 at the Florida Music Educators Association reception in Tampa.

3. Brian ’97 and Rosemary Denney, Chad ’96 and Lisa Wilkinson, and Jennifer and Mike ’97 Madalena at the Pistache French Bistro in West Palm Beach.

4. The Laird family (Bill ’99, Courtney, Michelle Abrisch ’98, MBA ’99, and William Laird), the Halstead family (Leonie Butler ’99, MAcc ’00, Tyler and David ’01 Halstead), and Kathy Linehan Graf ’76 at the Hatters vs. University of North Florida Ospreys Tailgate Party in Jacksonville.

Greetings! We hope you are doing well and enjoying the spring season. Over the past few

months, University Career Services (UCS) has witnessed an increase in the number of alumni using our resources and services.

As Stetson alumni, you are all encouraged to take advantage of the many programs, events and resources we offer. Some of these include individual career counseling, the UCS Web site, career fairs, on-line resume creation and posting, online job listings, an online self assessment program and online practice interview program. All of these are available to Stetson alumni free of charge. Additional information about each may be found on the University Career Services Web site: www.stetson.edu/careerservices.

In addition to offering UCS services to you, your assistance is needed to help current Stetson students who are seeking internships, summer jobs and

full-time positions. If you have not already done so, you are encouraged to register on Hatternet, a networking program specific to Stetson University, through which you can connect with Hatter alumni around the world, as well as current students. A variety of career mentoring options are available to users. Simply visit www.stetson.edu/hatternet.

University Career Services is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. If we can be of assistance, please contact us at 386-822-7315 or career@stetson.edu. We look forward to hearing from you.

Robin Kazmarek, Director University Career Services

University Career serviCes: Hatters Helping Hatters

Robin Kazmarek

ALUMNI EVENTS

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5. Carla Dudeck ’80, Joe Sasek ’04, Karen Schmitt Roberts ’80, Robin Blanton ’73, JD ’77, and Trevor Jones ’08 at Mulligan’s Grill in Vero Beach.

6. Juanita Molina Pendergraft ’82, Donna Gaff, Jay and Tiffany Rhodes ’99 Bass and James Gaff ’51 at the University Club in Jacksonville.

7. Daria and Garrett, MBA/JD ’04, Pendelton, Andrew Parr ’06, Annie Cline ’05, Braden ’05 and Katie Curran at the Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta.

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STETSON UNIVERSITY

LeadershipStetson

by Cindi Brownfield

Alumnus Max Cleland ’64, Hon. ’77, Hon. ’08, often describes himself as a “little pine knot from Georgia” who

became something because of the education he received at Stetson University. After a distinguished career in public service and politics, Cleland now spends a good bit of time serving Stetson as a member of the Board of Trustees, speaker at special events and honorary chair of the university’s annual Leadership Stetson program for alumni.

“This institution needs a new generation of leaders, not just managers,” Cleland told this year’s Leadership Stetson class in January.

Fashioned after leadership development programs run by chambers of commerce, Leadership Stetson is designed to educate select alumni about their alma mater in hopes they will become more deeply involved.

This year’s class included 27 alumni from across the United States, from the classes of

1982 to 2003, in careers including law, education, military and government service, business and health care. Participants heard updates on academic and student initiatives, the university’s financial position, new construction and the presidential transition from

Board of Trustees Chair Nestor de Armas ’73, administrators, students, faculty and staff. They also heard a taped message from President-Elect Wendy Libby about her plan to hire a provost to serve as Stetson’s senior academic planner and about the tough economic times the university is facing.

Leadership Stetson participants reflected

Alumni pledge to be Stetson’s next generation of leaders

on their Stetson experiences in relation to a book discussion of Good to Great and the Social Sectors by Jim Collins and offered advice on how Stetson can work toward greatness.

Cleland challenged the group to become a part of Stetson’s next generation of leaders. A veteran who was seriously wounded in the Vietnam War, he said he learned a lot about leadership in the military and that

those lessons can be applied to serving at Stetson. “Leadership is self-sacrificial,” said Cleland, “and good leaders care about people.”

Leadership Stetson

participants said the program was a good opportunity to reconnect with their alma mater, and many pledged to support the university

through service on advisory boards, participation in alumni and recruitment activities, financial support and mentoring today’s graduates.

“The leadership retreat was a great mid-life renewal and a chance to reconnect with a place very important to my life, albeit somewhat forgotten until now,” said Tony Baumgartner ’89, executive vice president of DQE Inc. in Indiana.

“The programming was textbook in execution, and the participation by the university president, deans of schools, key administrative staff and members of the Board of Trustees created an environment of heightened importance and meaning,” he said. “I left the retreat reminding myself why I love this place so much and wanting to stay involved for the remainder of my life.”

Board of Trustees Chair Nestor de Armas ’73 (standing) speaks at the Leadership Stetson retreat.

“Leadership Stetson reminded me why I am proud to be a Hatter. It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with the university and to realize that we all have

something to offer to the success of the mission of the university.” - Marcie Groover Mercadante ’85,

MAT ’94, Tampa, Fla., teacher, Hillsborough County Schools

“The Leadership Stetson retreat reminded me what I loved most

about Stetson when I attended – the personal interaction, the individual commitment to the student and the emphasis on building a student body

committed not just to academics, but also to the world around them.”

- Jodi Littlestone Weintraub ’86, Smyrna, Ga., managing director, Resources Global Professionals

Front Row: Pete Trakas ’95, MBA ’98; Bill Gray ’89 (Alumni Association president); Max Cleland ’64, Hon. ’77, Hon. ’08 (honorary chair, Leadership Stetson); Monty Stewart ’85; Melissa Knight ’01; Second Row: David Halstead ’01; Marcie Groover Mercadante ’85, MAT ’94; Paul Lawson ’92; Jodi Littlestone Weintraub ’86; Russell Kelton ’99, MBA ’00; President Doug Lee; Britt Young ’98; First Lady Margaret Lee; Dona Cowden DeMarsh ’90; Tony Biancarosa ’90; Jo Guess Jones ’83; Juanita Molina Pendergraft ’82; Rhonda Dunn Battaglia ’94, MS ’98; Back Row: Jim Lanier ’62 (Alumni Association Board member); Rick Sowers ’85; David Carlton ’83, JD ’88; Joy Fraley Fulton ’00; Harper Hill ’03; Shannon Osteen ’88; Mike Connelly ’93, JD ’96; Tony DeSantis ’85, MAcc ’86; Ken Leeman ’87; Tony Baumgartner ’89; Timothy Mallard ’87; Steve Urich ’91; Frank Morreale ’93; Not Pictured: Beth Chesser Cleveland ’86.

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SPRING/SUMMER 2009 31

Class Notes’42Lionel W. Nelson, Sarasota, at age 96, is still actively volunteering at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota as a coordinator of the Chaplaincy Program.

’58Harvey L. Duke, Cary, N.C., has been elected pastor emeritus by the First Baptist Church of Cary for 39 years of continuing ministry.

’61Jack Sweetman, Orlando, co-authored a book with Lt. Col. Merill L. Bartlett, USMC (retired), which has been awarded the Gold Medal of Military Writers Society of America for Military Nonfiction for 2008. The book, Leathernecks: An Illustrated History of the United States Marine Corps, is the 11th work of naval and military history that Dr. Sweetman has authored, co-authored, edited, co-edited or translated since 1968.

’63Jefferson D. Godard, Coral Springs, is now a service delivery professional for Amerifleet. He and his wife have four children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

’72J. Barry Griswell, Des Moines, Iowa,

is chairman and past-CEO of the Principal Financial Group and a co-author of The Adversity Paradox: An Unconventional Guide to Achieving Uncommon Business Success.

’73Nancy Naylor Rue, Lebanon, Tenn., has written 108 books. Her most recent work, Healing Waters, was named the Women of Faith 2009 Novel of the Year. She was also awarded a Moonbeam Award for Children’s Fiction for another book.

’75Michael J. Duduit, Anderson, S.C., is the founding dean of a

new Graduate School of Christian Ministry at Anderson University. He continues to serve as executive editor of Preaching magazine. Joseph A. Lane, Orlando, has been awarded inclusion into the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, which is considered by Corporate Counsel magazine to be the “most respected

referral list of attorneys in practice.” He is an attorney in commercial litigation and construction law.

’78Judy DeRango Wicks, Dunwoody, Ga., is now vice president of Corporate Communication for CheckFree Corporation, now part of Fiserv. She oversees CheckFree media relations, corporate and executive visibility, industry analyst relations and the company’s speakers bureau.

Weddings, Unions & AnniversariesEve N. Chin ’89 to David Lavin on

Sept. 14, 2008.Bram L. Scharf ’91, JD ’94, to Staci W.

Ginsburg on Oct. 25, 2008.John E. Crowther ’92, JD ’96, to Geraldine

Byrne on Jan. 1, 2009.William G. Gribble ’98 to Jennifer L.

Franklin on Oct. 4, 2008.Tanya D. Brousseau ’98 to John H. Keeley

on Sept. 27, 2008.Jennifer E. Hughes ’00, MAcc ’01, to

Christopher Lynch on Nov. 1, 2008.Katherine E. Love ’04 to Nicholas Pride in

April 2006.Grace M. Brabham ’05 to Joshua N.

Prybyla ’04, MBA ’05, on May 24, 2008.Braden S. Curran ’05 to Katie Richey on

June 28, 2008.Uliana A. Shelgacheva ’05 to Thomas

Brown ’05 on Aug. 8, 2008.(1-2) Laina Adron-Ferrell ’06 to Willem J.

Faber ’04 on Oct. 11, 2008.Rebecca C. Ramsey ’06 to Jeremy A.

Papadinis ’07 on July 26, 2008.

1) Matt Sanford ’04, Willem ’04 and Laina Adron-Ferrell ’06 Faber, Sidney Jackson ’04 and Harper Hill ’03; 2) Julia

Schieffelin ’05, Andrea Hart ’07, Matt Efird ’06, Victoria Durell ’06, Allie Ballantyne ’07, Genna Douglas ’07 and

Vanessa Eves at the Adron-Ferrell/Faber wedding; 3-4) See matching announcements.

Susan M. Hendon ’07 to David R. Morden ’07 in December 2007.

Adam C. Heisner ’08 to Diane Carol on Aug. 22, 2008.

(3) Amber R. Janney ’08 to Matthew B. Cox on Jan. 10, 2009.

(4) Lynn O. Kramer ’08 to Eric F. Duncan on May 16, 2008.

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Jefferson D. Godard ’63

(Continued on p.33)

STETSON UNIVERSITY

“What It’s Like to Be...”...a Professional Actor/Musicianwith Dimitri Diatchenko ’94

...Vice President, Consumer Products for the National Hockey Leaguewith James Haskins ’88

How did you end up where you are now? I became interested in acting while at Stetson and continued

acting at Florida State University while obtaining my master’s degree in Music. I worked on several short films, commercials and plays before getting a role in G.I. Jane in 1996 as one of the Navy Seals. That job helped me move out to Los Angeles and start working in a larger market rather seamlessly. Most recently I worked on the movie Burning Palms as “Bob.”What special skills does it take to do what you do?

Listening and observing your surroundings, attention to detail, patience and a sense of humor.What’s a good day like on the job?

On a good day, everyone is “on,” dialogue is remembered, you hit your mark, no one gets injured in the action sequences and the director tells you how brilliant you were!What’s a hard day like on the job?

A hard day would be when you may have a very difficult scene to shoot where there might be a lot of dialogue and/or emotionally draining scenes. You keep screwing up the lines, or the other actors have the same problems, the director yells at the crew and you, tensions rise because you are over budget and behind schedule and the craft services are not good.What do you find most satisfying in your job?

I enjoy meeting and working with other actors who are fun and talented. When traveling is part of the gig, I enjoy going to places I’ve never been while growing and experiencing new things. Watching myself on screen is also quite cool when the project is good and the work itself rewarding.

How did your Stetson education contribute to your career?I majored in Music with a Guitar Performance focus while at Stetson.

I still play, compose, perform and teach, but it has taken a backseat to acting. I use elements of my musical study and apply it to acting all the time. If you consider a melody line in music and compare it to a dialogue between actors or even a monologue, you will find similarities in the approach to preparing them for performance. Describe an on-the-job magical moment...

The day I was shooting the chase scene in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which included my gang of KGB agents, Harrison Ford and Shia LaBeouf at Yale University. At the beginning of the day, my contract was for a 10-day period. Steven Spielberg liked what I did so much that he called me over and told me he wanted me in the rest of the movie! I ended up going to Hawaii for four weeks to shoot the jungle scenes, then back to L.A. for the rest of the shoot, and ended up becoming good friends with many great people on that film. That first day of shooting was not only a magical day, but a defining moment that I’ll never forget.

How did you end up where you are now?

In the late ’80s and early ’90s, sports marketing as a science emerged, with Nike leading the way. After graduating from Stetson University with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Political Science, I saw an opportunity to combine business with my passion for sports. To that end, I sought a master's degree in Sports Marketing when that educational curriculum was still in its infancy. This unique education helped me get in on the ground floor of the NHL when it was on the rise as an entertainment brand. My climb up the NHL corporate ladder started on the brand consumer business where I worked with corporate giants like Coca-Cola, MasterCard and others. Moving to our licensed products department taught me the manufacturing/retail business through partners like Starter, Nike and Reebok. What special skills does it take to do what you do?

The full marketing mix: branding, public relations, special events, promotions, retail and some legal knowledge related to intellectual property law.

What’s a good day like on the job?A typical good day starts by being on time for the train to New York

City, followed by a meeting with one of our teams in the morning, a Reebok products review that afternoon, and a wrap-up with my department. What’s a hard day like on the job?

One of the more difficult parts of my day-to-day responsibilities is managing all of the input and varying needs from teams, athletes, agents, unions, arenas, manufacturers...the list is long. Bringing a product to market in professional sports has more steps than bringing a product to market elsewhere. What do you find most satisfying in your job?

I have been fortunate to work with folks from many walks of life – from prominent executives, athletes and celebrities to hockey fans and kids participating in our grass-roots activities. It also gives me satisfaction to see the products that we've worked hard to create worn and enjoyed by our fans not just at the games, but at the grocery store in New Jersey or the corner pub in Prague. Describe an on-the-job magical moment...

Traveling with the 116-year-old Stanley Cup is an indescribable experience. Wherever you are in the world, the Stanley Cup transcends language barriers, gender, age, even interest in hockey - everyone's eyes just light up when they see this iconic trophy. It's pure magic!

Left: Dimitri Diatchenko with director Matt Cimber on the set of Miriam (2006). Right: Diatchenko (leaning out of car window) discusses a scene with director Steven Spielberg, Shia LaBeouf and Harrison Ford on the set of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008).

James Haskins with NHL Jerseys

Paramount PicturesMiriam Productions

SPRING/SUMMER 2009

New HattersKara M. Bachus ’91 and husband Steve

Sidman, a daughter Kylie AnnMarie, on June 9, 2008.

Karen Yoder Stevenson ’92 and husband Jason, a daughter Kara Elizabeth, on Nov. 4, 2008.

Kenneth R. Worst ’92 and wife Denise, twins Caroline Kelsey and Ellery Mary, on June 29, 2008.

(1) Mary Seller Bradley ’93 and husband Jonathan, twins Joshua Lawrence and Collin Jackson, on Nov. 29, 2008.

Mary Warhop Tederstrom ’93 and husband Benjamin, a daughter Malena Sarah, on Oct. 4, 2008.

Kristen Kane Atwood ’94 and husband Matthew, a daughter Emilie Marie, on Nov. 5, 2008.

(2) Robert C. Johnson ’94 and wife Aimee, twins Ryan Matthew and Sierra Grace, on Nov. 3, 2008.

(3) Dominique Salamone Piccolo ’94 and husband Ronald ’93, a daughter Sadie Grace, on Oct. 16, 2008.

Mona J. Shah ’95 and husband Jay Desai, a son Mohun Jay, on July 11, 2007.

Ondrea Mault Willis ’95 and husband Brent ’96, sons Blaine Dawson, on March 19, 2000, and Baylor Preston, on Aug. 29, 2003.

Darby Stewart Petitt ’96 and husband Will, a daughter Camryn Grace, on March 14, 2008.

Jason M. Zebert ’00, a son Aaron Charles, on Feb. 21, 2008.

Jennifer Adams Hall ’01 and husband Brian, a daughter Kylee Addison, on

Jan. 20, 2009.

(4) Meredith Stallings Bolinski ’02 and husband Brandon, a daughter Madeline Eleanor, on Dec. 22, 2008.

Stephanie Byers Daige ’02 and husband Christopher ’01, a daughter Olivia Angela, on Oct. 25, 2008.

(5) Christyna Doege-Sheldon ’02 and husband Lee ’02, a daughter Rhys, on June 29, 2008.

(6) Jessica Randolph Burbank ’03 and husband Benjamin ’04, a son Jhonen Thomas, on Sept. 12, 2008.

Amy Howard Reilly ’03 and husband Robert, a son John Patrick, on Jan. 12, 2009.

(7) Jennifer Tate Davis ’04 and husband Steve, a daughter Kayley Grace, on July 27, 2008.

Jennifer Mount Hambling ’04 and husband Ryan, a son Ethan Michael, on May 23, 2007.

Greg Lefils Jr. ’04 and wife Heather, a daughter Jacqueline Marie, on May 17, 2008.

(8) Tracey Adams Connor ’05 and husband Allen, a son Jacob Michael, on Aug. 3, 2008.

Jeffrey W. Margheim, MBA ’07 and wife Sarah, twins Allison Joy and Samuel Jeffrey, on Oct. 9, 2008.

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’79Henry J. Langknecht, Bexley, Ohio, is now the Haman-Pfahler Professor of Christian Communications at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. He joined the faculty in 1999 as an assistant professor of Homiletics and Christian Communications and was named associate professor in 2008.

’80Patrick M. Healy, Ponte Vedra, is now the president and CEO of Centene’s Georgia subsidiary, Peach State Health Plan. Ellen

Sue Wilcox, Pinellas Park, was recognized, in September 2008, by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and the Cabinet of the State of Florida

for her commendable service in the protection and safety of the citizens and visitors of the state of Florida. She was also honored as the 2007 Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent of the Year.

’82D. Mark Harris, Bethlehem,

Pa., authored Grave Matters: A Journey Through the Modern Funeral Industry to a Natural Way of Burial. R. Dean Hollis,

Omaha, Neb., was appointed to Pierre Foods Inc.’s Board of Directors. Vasti Torres,

Bloomington, Ill., was the lecturer for the 2008 Riker Lecture at the University of Florida. She is currently an associate professor at Indiana University, Bloomington.

’83Russell D. Crumley, St.

Petersburg, was named executive director of the Sarasota County Arts Council.

Class Notes

Russell D. Crumley ’83

(Continued on p.36)

(Continued from p.31)

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1-8) See matching announcements; 9) Charles Joseph Battaglia, son of Rhonda Dunn Battaglia ’94, MS ’98, and husband Joseph (announced Fall/Winter 2008); 10) Eboni Long Hampton ’02 with daughter Aubrey (announced Fall/Winter 2008).

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Henry J. Langknecht ’79 D. Mark

Harris ’82

33

STETSON UNIVERSITY

6

2009 DistiNguisheD alumNi awarDs

2009 stetsoN sports hall of fame iNDuCtees

Recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award are outstanding representatives of the many alumni who exemplify the quality of a Stetson University education and whose achievements in their profession and lives have brought distinction and special recognition to their alma mater.

These former student-athletes have been elected to the Stetson University Sports Hall of Fame.

gorDoN h. “NiCk” mueller

Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller ’61 is president and chief

executive officer of The National World War II Museum, a New Orleans-based institution designated by Congress as the

country’s official museum for commemoration of the World War II experience.

Mueller helped transform the museum from a concept to reality, first as chairman of the museum foundation’s Board of Directors and now as president and CEO of the museum. Severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina, the museum has recovered

significantly under his management. A major $300 million expansion is now planned.

Mueller retired from a 34-year career as a professor of European History at the University of New Orleans (UNO) in 2002. He launched the university’s first overseas programs in Germany and Austria in the 1970s, before becoming the university’s director for international education. He served as founding dean of UNO’s Metropolitan College, and then as vice-chancellor of extension and president of the university’s Research and Technology Park.

More than 8,000 students have studied abroad through the programs Mueller established. He formed a Friendship Treaty

between the University of New Orleans and the University of Innsbruck that led to student and faculty exchanges, publication of more than 40 books, and a $1 million gift to the UNO from the Austrian government to establish a Chair in Austrian Studies. For his contributions to international education, he has received two of Austria’s highest awards, the Great Silver Cross of Honor and the Cross of Honor First Class.

Mueller earned a bachelor’s degree in History at Stetson, Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and has done postgraduate work at Yale, Harvard and several European universities.

william C. gaveNta Jr.

William C. “Bill” Gaventa Jr. ’69 is director

of community and congregational supports at the Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities in New

Brunswick, N.J. He is also associate professor of Pediatrics at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

An American Studies major at Stetson, Gaventa also earned a Master of Arts in Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Deeply committed to

public service, he is involved in community supports, training for community services staff and workforce development, initiatives in cultural competence, and in aging and end of life issues. He also supervises a program in Clinical Pastoral Education and coordinates a training and technical assistance team for the New Jersey Self Directed Supports Projects. He has served as a consultant on disabilities to the National Council of Churches.

He is editor of the Journal of Religion, Disability and Health and of a newsletter for the Religion and Spirituality Division of the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). He

Chris Westervelt ’04, MBA ’07, was an outstanding baseball player and student during his years at Stetson. He was the first player ever in the Atlantic Sun Conference to earn All-America and Academic All-America in the same season, a feat he accomplished

twice (2002 and 2004). He was also named the A-Sun Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference and All-Region in 2002 and 2004. Westervelt won the Team Student Athlete of the Year award three times and then went on to play professionally in the Dodgers organization. A .350 career hitter, he is tied for No. 1 all-time at Stetson for home runs in a season, with 18, and is third in career home runs, with 35.

Chris westerveltBaseball

Andy Wilson ’03 put in four years as a two-way player on the baseball team. In 2002, he was named First Team All-Atlantic Sun Conference as a pitcher, and Second Team as a second baseman. He was also named Second Team in 2001 as a pitcher. Wilson

earned ABCA All-Region honors in 2001 and 2002, played in the NCAA Regionals all four years and was named to the NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team in 2003. Offensively, he is second all-time at Stetson with 36 home runs and sixth all-time in RBI, with 174. On the mound, Wilson is third all-time at Stetson with 24 saves in his career. Wilson played professionally in the Mets organization.

aNDy wilsoNBaseball

also writes a column for Insight, the national newsletter of ArcUSA. He recently served as editor of Autism and Faith: A Journey into Community, a guide for including people with autism in faith communities.

His many volunteer activities include service as executive secretary of the Religion and Spirituality Division of the AAIDD since 1985. He has received both the Service Award and Presidential Award from AAIDD and, in 2008, the COMISS Medal from the Congress on Ministries in Specialized Settings and a Unitas Outstanding Alumni Award from Union Theological Seminary.

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SPRING/SUMMER 20097

Emma Astrom ’04, MBA ’05, was a standout on the women’s soccer team. She is first all-time at Stetson with 18 assists and fourth in scoring with 50 points and goals with 16. Astrom earned First Team All-Atlantic Sun

Conference honors in 2000 and 2003 and was Second Team in 2001 and 2002. Her senior season, she was the first Hatter ever to be named A-Sun Defensive Player of the Year.

emma astromSoccer

Matthew Morton received a Bachelor of

Arts degree in Political Science from Stetson University and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa in 2006. A 2008

graduate of the University of Oxford with a Master of Science in Evidence-Based Social Intervention, with Distinction, he is now a Ph.D. candidate at Oxford’s Centre for Evidence-Based Intervention and Saïd Business School.

During his undergraduate years, he was a Bonner Scholar, a member of the Cross Country Team and the founder and director

of the Campaign for Adolescent & University Student Empowerment (CAUSE), which places Stetson students in mentoring roles with disadvantaged students. He also served as advocacy coordinator for the Southeastern Network of Youth and Family Services, and was a Congressional Fellow in the office of U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. He later served as the coordinator of the Bonner Scholars and Community Outreach program at Stetson.

At Oxford, his current research is focused on youth development and nonformal education in the Middle East. In March 2009, he was chosen as a regional finalist in the British Council’s International Student Awards, one of 12 students selected out of more than 1,500 students from 130 countries.

With a special interest in youth development since the age of 15, he has founded and worked with youth empowerment programs in the United States, Latin America, East Africa, Europe and the Middle East. He has served as vice chair of the National Council for Youth Policy and as a policy consultant for the European Union. He currently is working with an international team of youth leaders in launching Youth Factor, a nonprofit that forms strategic partnerships with promising youth empowerment programs around the world. An inspirational speaker, he has delivered more than 50 keynote addresses, including the White House’s first National Youth Summit.

sara e. DoDsoN

A 2002 Summa Cum Laude graduate in Behavioral

Neuroscience, a major she helped design, Sara Dodson earned a doctorate in Neuroscience at Emory University in Atlanta,

Ga., in 2008. Dodson is now a postdoctoral fellow at the J. David Gladstone Institute for Neurological Disease at the University of California, San Francisco, which is ranked by The Scientist magazine as the best place in the United States for postdoctoral fellows to work.

At Gladstone, she is studying neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Her doctoral research at Emory was described by her dissertation advisor as instrumental in clarifying a critical role for a new molecule in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s.

Dodson obtained independent funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for her doctoral training, has had five published articles in the most prestigious journals in neuroscience and has made numerous presentations at national conferences. She was one of only 250 researchers invited to present their doctoral

research at the annual NIH graduate student research festival.

In addition to excelling in research, she has a number of impressive accomplishments outside the lab, particularly with educational outreach. While at Emory, she was president of the graduate Neuroscience Society, where she was instrumental in organizing student and faculty visits to Atlanta public schools during Brain Awareness Month. Thanks in part to her efforts, the Atlanta chapter of the Society for Neuroscience was recognized for its excellence in Brain Awareness Month participation.

matthew h. mortoN

2009 outstaNDiNg youNg alumNi awarDsRecipients of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award are exceptional representatives of the many young Stetson University alumni who show great promise in their chosen professions and illustrate the quality of a Stetson University education.

Piero Demichelli ’02 was one of the best men’s tennis players ever to swing the racket for the Hatters. He is second all-time at Stetson in singles after posting a 72-18 career record. Demichelli was named First Team All-

Atlantic Sun Conference following each of his four seasons (1999-2002). He took the court as the No. 1 player more often than any other in the history of the men’s tennis program.

piero DemiChelliTennis

A player for the men’s soccer team, Jason Osborne ’04 earned First Team All-Atlantic Sun Conference honors in his final three seasons and was Second Team All-Conference as a freshman. He was named to the NSCAA All-Region Second Team following his junior and

senior seasons. In the Stetson record book, Osborne is tied for second all-time in career assists with 19. He played on Stetson’s conference championship team in 2001 and was named to the A-Sun Championship All-Tournament team in 2003.

JasoN osborNSoccer

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STETSON UNIVERSITY

Your Name:

Your E-mail:

Your Address:

Your Daytime Phone Number:

Name of Nominee:

Name of Nominee at Graduation:

Class Year of Nominee:

Daytime Phone Number of Nominee:

Profession of Nominee:

Please attach a description of the nominee’s distinguished accomplishments. Include personal, professional, academic, and/or community achievements and service, along with basic biographical information. Also include the nominee’s resume or vita, if available. Mail to: Office of Alumni Relations, Stetson University, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., Unit 8257, DeLand, FL 32723.

I wish to nominate the Distinguished Alumni Awardalumnus/a for the (select one): Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Stetson University Alumni Association Award Nomination Form

Class Notes(Continued from p.33)

Karen Lovaglio Dee, Safety Harbor, is now president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank’s Central Florida affiliate. Ann S. Martorano, New Smyrna Beach, is now the chief marketing officer for Halifax Health, headquartered in Daytona Beach. She is also the hospital administrator for Halifax Health Medical Center, Port Orange.

’84Jacquelyn A. Carkhuff, Ormond Beach, graduated with a Master in Information Systems degree from Phoenix University

in May 2008. She retired from the City of Ormond Beach in September 2008 and accepted a position with SunGuard Public Sector as a senior support analyst.

’85Vivian Inez Archibald, Virgin Islands, is now the deputy governor

of the Virgin Islands. W. Christopher Bredbenner, Brandon, joined Good Shepherd Hospice as executive director.

’90Heather McDonald Kolinsky, Orlando, has been promoted to director of legal research and writing at Barry University School of Law.

W. Christopher Bredbenner ’85

One mission of the Alumni Association is to provide opportunities for alumni and the entire Stetson University family to reconnect

and stay connected with one another. We are teaming up with Travel Unlimited to provide travel tours for Stetson alumni, with many of the packages including fascinating and insightful commentary with lively discussion by tour escorts and local experts.

These programs provide alumni and friends the opportunity to travel together and participate in a wonderful array of vacation activities, geared for your entire family. To kick off the summer, we are pleased to offer two trips that are shorter in duration and more reasonably priced than typical international trips.

The first trip, the Caribbean Family Delight, is the perfect “fun in the sun” vacation planned for July 11-18, 2009, on the beautiful island of St.

Kitts. This package includes 10 meals (including two dinner parties with entertainment), a choice of two island adventures, a beautiful hotel on a

magnificent beach and more.The second trip, the Aspen Family

Adventure, scheduled for August 16-23, 2009, combines several activities and ample leisure time to allow you to enjoy a week surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

In addition to an outdoor concert at Snowmass Mountain and a Sunset Dinner Tour, other adventure activities include downhill and mountain biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, golf or hiking.

We hope you will take advantage of these travel programs and continue to create even more Stetson memories. For details, visit www.stetson.edu/alumni and select “Partnership Programs” from the “Benefits” menu.

’91Andrew P. Daire, Orlando, was inducted into the University of Central Florida Millionaires Club for researchers who received at least $1 million during a fiscal year from an external sponsor. Daire, an associate professor of Education at UCF who

leads the UCF Marriage & Family Research Institute, was inducted into the club for a federally funded project that is helping 800 low and moderate income couples get the help they need to keep their marriages, their families and, ultimately, the community strong.

Each year, Stetson University honors individuals who have brought recognition to the university through their outstanding achievements in their professions or through service to the university and their communities. The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to an alumnus/a for outstanding achievement in his/her profession and life, which has brought distinction and special recognition to Stetson University. The Outstanding Young Alumni Award is

presented to an alumnus/a of Stetson University who is 35 years of age or younger. The award recognizes contributions this alumnus/a has made to society, his/her profession or the university. Recipient(s) must demonstrate significant accomplishment or promise in his/her field; leadership; or civic, cultural or charitable involvement. Award nominations are due by Dec. 1 each year.

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Let The Adventure Start Here!

SPRING/SUMMER 2009

Rebecca Palmer, Orlando, has been awarded inclusion into the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, which is considered by Corporate Counsel magazine to be the “most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.” Palmer works in the area of Family Law Mediation.

’92Vinay H. “Mickey” Desai, Jonesboro, Ga., is now executive director of the Anti-Prejudice Consortium. He also currently chairs the Metropolitan Counseling Services Board of Directors and is a member of the Georgia Lakes Society Board of Directors and the United Way’s Volunteer Involvement Program Alumni Association.

Paul D. Lawson, Carmel, Ind., serves as Delta Sigma Phi’s assistant executive director at the national headquarters. He is responsible for managing all of the fraternity’s undergraduate operations. John F. Patterson, North Port, is now working for the town of Fort Myers Beach as a flood plain development coordinator. Cynthia Crosby Turner, Port Orange, received National Board Certification in Early and Middle Childhood Music on Nov. 21, 2008.

’93Carol L. Browning, Easton, Pa., is now a recruiting manager for Safelite AutoGlass. Adam P. Forrand, Suwanee, Ga., launched a new company, decimal152, with business partner and fellow

Stetson alumnus J. Todd Bennett ’94, Fayetteville, Ga. Decimal152 provides Web communication research, consulting and design for higher

education and non-profit organizations. John M. Miller, LaVernia, Texas, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. He now serves as the director of Patient Administration Systems and Biostatistics Activity at Fort Sam Houston in Texas.

’94Andrew M. Wilkinson, San Fransisco, Calif., was promoted to market president of

Kforce Professional Staffing. He is responsible for overseeing the professional staffing firm’s Northern California operations.

’96Florence D. Harewood-Guerrier, Delray Beach, is now a corporate attorney at Children of America Inc.

’98Joseph L. Cheatwood, Carbondale, Ill., joined the faculty at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine as an assistant professor of Anatomy. Todd D. and Rosalie Scaturro Carpenter, DeLand, successfully opened their second business in downtown DeLand, Norville Barnes: American Fare. Norville Barnes is a restaurant that offers a unique dining experience featuring classic cuisine with a twist.

’00Stephanie M. Milner, Atlanta, Ga., earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Mercer University in 2007. Jacquelyn L. Shoppa, Las Vegas, Nev., is a veterinarian at Lone Mountain Animal Hospital.

’01Brian C. Kosoy, Jacksonville, was promoted to senior associate of public relations at PSS World Medical Inc.

John M. Miller ’93 and family

Rebecca Palmer ’91

Carol L. Browning ’93

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’20sIrene Smith Pattishall ’20

’30sLois Blankenbaker Hardison ’34

Elizabeth Kramer Hyman ’34Annabel Ford Posey ’34

Chrystelle Mercer Bracey ’36James Faircloth ’38

Helen Stephens Martin ’38Janet Trenis Crismond ’39Mavis Burton Ferguson ’39

Josephine Osborne Kesler ’39Arvel G. Miller ’39

Clinton E. Taylor ’39

’40sHelen Battle Boyd ’40

Lorraine McCutcheon Duncombe ’40 Virginia E. Giffin ’40

Lorraine Slauson Champeau ’41George Stoudenmire ’41

Richard M. Feasel ’42, MA ’47Polly Pasteur Keeney ’42

Norma Gardner Christopher ’43Marietta Chilli Wilson ’44

Grace E. Felker ’45Helen deGruchy Thacher ’45

Sam Caldwell ’46Evelyn Dodd Clark ’46

Jean Conlisk Senkarik ’46Joan Nydegger Messer ’47

Cyril D. Garrett ’48Grace Jones Emory ’49W. McLaurine Hall ’49Milton C. Hillhouse ’49

Joseph Nelson ’49 Frank C. Richardson ’49

Pat T. Wilson ’49Dorothy E. Woodworth ’49

’50sThomas V. Collins ’50Marvin W. Howard ’50

William Murray ’50Lois Berlin Walden ’50Mae Locke Collins ’51David J. Kadyk, JD ’51

Allen E. Kelley ’51Glen W. Martin ’51 James T. Owens ’51

Shirla Shaw Pinder ’51Bruce M. Wigle ’51

Richard C. Wilson ’51Victor Wright ’51

Pearl Sargent Carter ’52 Gary D. Crawford ’52

Paul F. Raione ’52Franklin Carter ’53Dale S. Turpin ’53

Julia Mikell Flowers ’54Walter S. Norden ’55

Alvin E. Smith ’56Richard T. Dillon ’57Billy G. Brown ’58

Peggy Richie Simpson ’58Merrill Maguire Skaggs ’58

William L. Eikenberry, MA ’59

’60sR. Camille Dorman ’60

George Sexton ’60John A. Somers ’60

Audrey Williams Hook ’61Roy W. Melton ’61

George R. Pharr, MA ’61Ruth Young Roberts ’61

E. Dickson Watts ’61Meeda Orr Conner ’62, MA ’65 Raymond M. Cass ’64, JD ’71

IN MEMORIAM

Claudine Walker Ryce ’64Margaret Hanna Paul, MA ’66

Donald Williams, MA ’66Amiee Hunnicutt Mason, MA ’68

William Stemper ’69Arthur D. Stover ’69

Martha Milam Tyre ’69

’70sMargaret Disney Waters ’70

Joyce K. Anderson ’72Margot A. Haberhern, MA ’72William F. Marquette, MBA ’72

Jeffry Driscoll ’73Robert Floyd ’73

James W. Hammock ’73Sandra King St. James ’73

Bruce H. Mitchell ’75 Wayne Hanks ’76

Joyce Megginson Kircher, MBA ’76Eugene Glasper ’77

Betsy McBroom Holloway, MA ’78

’80sCarole Taylor Sieg, MEd ’80Rebecca Knight Sweet ’80 Niles S. Beddingfield ’82Edward J. Dameron ’83

Philip F. Keidaish ’83, JD ’86Belinda Jones Brewer ’84Karen McKnight Fox ’85

Russell Benuche ’86Grant L. Harbin ’89

Stephanie Pollard Inglis ’89

’90sFred Kervel ’93, MAcc ’94

’00sKyle C. Orr ’08

STETSON UNIVERSITY

’02Monica Spirig Smith, Winter Park, has been elected president-elect for the Legal

Marketing Association’s Southeastern Chapter. She will serve as the chapter’s president in 2010.

’03Annette E. Filliat, Alpharetta, Ga., was elected to the Atlanta Ad Club Board of Directors and recently received a Phoenix Award

from the Public Relations Society of America for a national media campaign announcing the Market Lodge application launch on Facebook. Angela Villanueva Miller, Naples, is now working in the intellectual property group at Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A., the largest law firm in Central Florida. Jenine S. Rabin, Rockville, Md., is now the national campaign director for the Smithsonian Institution. Matthew T. Smith, Birmingham, Ala., recently graduated from the University of Florida College of Medicine. He is currently finishing his first year of residency in medicine and will soon start specialty training in physiatry, a mix of orthopedics

and neurology. Cody B. Vaughan-Birch, Fort Myers, has been elected to the Special Equestrians Board of Directors, an all volunteer organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding to children and adults who suffer from mental and physical disabilities.

’04Jennifer Mount Hambling, Fort Myers, is an art teacher at Treeline Elementary School. Emily K. Snyder, Memphis, Tenn., co-authored an article, with her colleague Mark Miles, which was recently published in The Spire, the theological magazine of Vanderbilt Divinity School. In addition, Snyder and Miles were honored with the 2008 Nella May Overby Memorial Award in Field Education at Vanderbilt Divinity School for the work that is the subject of their article, “Strangers No Longer: Faithful Voices for Solidarity.” Brandon J. Waters, Orlando, is now a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Winter Park.

’05Rogerio Rosa Rezende, Sanford, has been promoted to CFO at Dixon Ticonderoga Co., a manufacturer of markers, art, writing

Class Notesmarketing strategies and campaigns.

’08Matthew C. Kearney, Sarasota, is an expansion coordinator for Delta Sigma Phi. He is responsible for leading the development and redevelopment of Delta Sigma Phi chapters and colonies on campuses across the country. John W. Mandigo, Orlando, launched SellersMakeOffers.com, a market for

buyers and sellers of houses, automobiles, boats, sporting equipment, home furnishings and travel packages. The site was highlighted by Stetson’s EMBA program. Zekiah Naaida Wright, Winter Haven, as part of training for her new position with the Department of Veterans Affairs, was chosen to speak to visiting Secretary of the Veterans Benefit Administration Admiral James B. Peake and acting Undersecretary Admiral Patrick W. Dunne.

instruments and office products.

’06Zachary Chalifour, Daytona Beach, was promoted to semi-senior accountant at James Moore & Co., P.L. Chalifour is responsible for compilation, reviews and the performance of audit fieldwork. Laura Sands, Davie, graduated from Nova Southeastern University in 2008 with Master of Science degree.

’07Jennifer Beebe, Charlotte, N.C., is now a financial analyst for Siemens Energy, Inc. She is a member of the global SAP implementation team. Anthony R. Adams, Orlando, and fellow Stetson alumnus James P. Burleson ’08 have launched The Loop Group Marketing, which offers free pitches to all prospective clients and creates

Cody B. Vaughan-Birch ’03

Zachary Chalifour ’06

Name Stetson Class Year(s)

Name While a Student

Home Address

Telephone Number (Home) (Business)

E-mail Address

Spouse’s Name

If Spouse is a Stetson Alumnus/a, Class Year(s)

Mail to: Stetson University, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., Unit 8257, DeLand, FL 32723 • Fax to: 386-822-7484

What’s the latest news in your life? Have you changed jobs, earned a degree, been promoted, married, had a baby, or received an honor? Share your good news and photos with your classmates through the Stetson University magazine by submitting the form below. Please include

wedding and other photos of Stetson alumni only, identify everyone and include your name and address. You can also use the form to update your address information. Complete and mail the form, or submit your update online by creating a Hatternet Alumni Profile at www.stetson.edu/hatternet.

What’s New? Let Us Know!

Monica Spirig Smith ’02

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SPRING/SUMMER 2009

Celebrating 125 Years: 1) The Elizabeth Hall cupola as seen from the

flower-decorated Quad. 2) Alumni sign in, peruse old yearbooks and reminisce at registration in the

Hollis Center lobby. 3) Jerry Johnston ’59, Mel Christman ’59 and Roy Paulson ’59 reunite at

registration in front of an archival photo display that spans Stetson’s 125 years.

Gatherings and Reunions: 11) Chaplain Michael Fronk ’74 and worship leader Beth Fogle-Miller ’79 (right) meet and greet after Sunday morning’s Alumni Chapel. 12) Alumni, staff and faculty gather for Alumni Chapel in Elizabeth Hall’s newly named H. Douglas Lee Chapel. 13) Alumni, students and faculty at the Edmunds Scholars Reunion. 14) Alumni, students and faculty at the Kaleidoscope Reception. 15) The brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha gather in front of their newly renovated fraternity house. 16) Ranell Tinsley ’00 and Kevin and Nada Guirgis ’92 Manley at the All-Greek Social. 17) The sisters of Zeta Tau Alpha celebrate their chapter’s 75th Anniversary.

Athletic Events: 4) Volleyball alumnae and current volleyball students

unite for a Homecoming match. 5) Mahlan Houghton ’78 passes the ball for Lambda Chi Alpha; 6) while teams prepare for the Football Challenge on

Rinker Field. 7) George Herndon ’56, Bill Hall, Kenny Foxx and Pete Korelich; 8)

Rick Murray ’90, Tom Knutson ’90, Doug Pringle ’91 and Craig Risdon ’92 at the

Wes Berner Golf Tournament. 9) Alumni begin the Run (Walk) Around Stetson 5K.

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STETSON UNIVERSITY

At The President’s House: 10) Sara Dodson ’02 is given her Outstanding Young Alumni Award by Alumni Association President Bill Gray ’89 and President Doug Lee. 11) Gordon “Nick” Mueller ’61 accepts his Distinguished Alumni Award. 12) William Gaventa Jr. ’69 accepts his Distinguished Alumni Award. 13) Matthew Morton ’06 (center) is presented his Outstanding Young Alumni Award by Alumni Association President Bill Gray ’89 and President Doug Lee. 14) Bryan Gillespie accepts the George and Mary Hood Award from Professor Gary Maris ’62. 15) President Doug and First Lady Margaret Lee are the surprise recipients of the Distinguished Service Award. 16) Dorothy Brown (center) is granted honorary membership in the Stetson

University Alumni Association. She is pictured with daughter Sarah Brown McAskill ’88 and Alumni Association President Bill Gray ’89. 17) Alumni enjoy a breakfast buffet at the President’s House on Saturday morning. 18) The Alumni Buffet Breakfast featured music from Stetson’s Barron String Quartet. 19) Over 350 Hatters gather in the Rinker Native Plant Garden for the Homecoming Kickoff Seafood Feast. 20) Bobbie Giffin ’63 leads the Alma Mater. 21) The Seafood Feast featured music from the Stetson Jazz Ensemble conducted by Professor George West. 22) President-Elect Wendy Libby and Chaplain Michael Fronk ’74 greet Ranell ’00, Russell ’69 and Oneita Waters ’66 Tinsley at the Seafood Feast.

Entertainment: 1) Over 800 Hatters and DeLand community members fill the Edmunds Center for Friday night’s Capitol Steps performance. 2) The Capitol Steps: Mike Thornton, Delores Williams, Dave Kane, Mike Tilford, Janet Davidson Gordon and Mike Carruthers. 3) Capitol Steps members Janet Davidson Gordon, Delores Williams and

Mike Carruthers perform. 4) President Doug and First Lady Margaret Lee and President-Elect Wendy and husband Richard Libby enjoy the Captiol Steps performance. 5) Baritone Jack Coldiron ’53 gives a concert with accompanist Sara J. Davis. 6) The Stetson Trombone Choir performs at the School of Music Showcase Concert. 7) Helen Hodge, Dean Alexander ’85, Professor James Wright, Debra Jean Harter Gaylord ’85 and Daniel Roscoe ’09 review Theta Alpha Phi scrapbooks at Stover Theatre. 8) Zantrell Williams ’09, Suzanne Reffel ’09, Jordan Foley ’09 and Chris Norris; 9) Patrick Pieri ’06 and

Adam Langston ’09 in Stover Theatre’s performance of Lend Me a Tenor.

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Class Reunions: 23) The Class of 1959 at the University Inn. 24) The Class of 1964 in the Commons. 25) Former Dean George Hood speaks to the Class of 1969. 26) The Class of 1969 Reunion at the Alling House. 27) Bill Gaventa Jr. ’69 speaks at the Class of 1969 Symposium, “From the ’60s to our 60s.” 28) The Class of 1979 at the home of Dana ’69 and Alice Major, JD ’77, Fogle. 29) Jack Scalera ’79, Sandra Apgar ’79 and Ken ’79 Caster, and Leigh Kimbrough Shipman ’79 at the Class of 1979 Reunion. 30) Bill ’74 and Diane Van Marter, Mark ’74 and Becky Rexroad ’74 Pharrer, Joyce Romanus ’74, Lynn Werner Lewis ’74 and Dave Royce; 31) Meg Greenfield Newsome ’76, Becky Barlow Ramsey ’76, Carol Davis Thompson ’76, Marion and Dean ’76 Campbell, and Marsha Harris ’76; 32) Nancy Smith ’74, MA ’79, and Mike Prelec, Kerry and Lynne Moore ’74 Keith, and John Bowley ’74 at the ’70s Decade Party hosted by the Class of 1974. 33) Catherine Davi-Dzenutis ’84, Jamie Bonura Sessums ’84, Todd Richardson ’84 and Patty Losch Sullivan ’84; 34) Joanne Anibarro ’84, LaDawn Long Milton ’84, Julie Korfage ’84, Robert Slama ’84 and Anita Scott ’84 at the Class of 1984 Reunion. 35) Justine Talmadge ’04 and Anh Vu Dinh ’04; 36) Julie Creech ’04, Candice Oelze ’04, Krystle Jean ’04, Aaron Marshall ’04 and Jaynie Dieckmann ’04 at the Class of 2004 Reunion.

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All-Alumni Tribute Honoring Doug and Margaret Lee: 4) Hatters meet and greet in the Hollis Center lobby and enjoy the music of the Stetson Jazz Combo. 5) Classical guitarists Jonathan Smith ’12, Morgan Stuart ’09, Trevor Turner ’10 and Philip Logan ’12 perform at the Lee Tribute Dinner. 6) Guests enjoy a dinner of chicken and mushroom ravioli. 7) Alumni Association Past President Lu Prats ’78, JD ’81, presents Margaret Lee with a bouquet of roses. 8) President Doug and Margaret Lee join the Hatter community in singing the Alma Mater. 9) The Lees are presented with a portrait painted by Jeffrey Kronsnoble. It will hang in the Lee Atrium at Stetson’s Celebration campus. 10) Four hundred Hatters gather to honor Doug and Margaret Lee. 11) Alumni of

the School of Music and former Glee Club members join the Stetson University Concert Choir in singing the Alma Mater. 12) President-Elect Wendy Libby congratulates the Lees on their retirement and announces that her inauguration ceremony will take place at Homecoming 2010, March 19-21. 13) Alumni Association President Bill Gray ’89 presents the Lees with a scrapbook of collected alumni messages, photos and memories.

Alumni Picnic: 1) President Doug Lee introduces President-Elect Wendy Libby to picnickers. 2-3) Over 350 alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends enjoy the picnic at Fraternity Row. The newly renovated fraternity houses were dedicated immediately following the picnic.

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Mad Hatter Mainstreet Block Party: 14) The 2009 Homecoming Court: Lauren Sicilia ’09 for Delta Delta Delta escorted by Billy Krolick ’09 for Sigma Nu; Alessandra Santos ’11 for FOCUS escorted by Sean Tamm ’09 for Delta Sigma Phi; Daffnee Cohen ’11 for Student Ambassadors escorted by Tom Narducci ’11 for FOCUS; Amy Elsila ’09 for Pi Beta Phi escorted by Drew Glasnovich ’09 for SGA; and Andrea Coggins ’10 for SGA, escorted by Jess Lanza ’09 for Pi Kappa Alpha. 15) Alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends gather on Indiana Avenue in front of the old courthouse. 16) Gabriela Padron ’09 and Angelyn Alicea ’10 have their caricature drawn. 17) Doug Kellner ’91, Shannon Osteen ’88 and Alumni Association President Bill Gray ’89 accept the Greek Legacy Cup trophy for fraternities on behalf of Alpha Tau Omega. 18) Pam Keene ’74, Ellen Lewis Emenheiser ’73, Ann Buchanan Jenkins ’74, Linda DelBene ’74, Anne Insley Riordan ’73 and Judy Clayton Ward ’75 accept the Greek Legacy Cup trophy for sororities on behalf of Phi Mu. 19) Jami Perry-Morrow ’09, Kathryn Arblaster ’10, Melissa Kaika ’10, Allyson McKenna ’10 and Katie Hehn ’11 hand out “Panhellenic Party Favors.” 20) Lu Prats ’78, JD ’81, Pat Blair ’79, Mahlan Houghton ’78 and Daryl Bishop ’78 are Football Challenge champions for Lambda Chi Alpha. 21) Richard Rintz ’69 accepts the Football Challenge trophy for Lambda Chi Alpha. 22) The A-Team, led by Pierson Rintz, performs at the Mainstreet Block Party. 23) Stetson Idol winner Theo Canty ’11 sings at the Mainstreet Block Party. 24) Alessandra Santos ’11 and Drew Glasnovich ’09 are crowned Homecoming queen and king. 25) Hatters fill Indiana Avenue to the music of The A-Team.

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STETSON UNIVERSITY

Students follow Freedom Riders’ journey in unique travel course

Nineteen Stetson students from the College of Law and the DeLand campus participated in a week-

long, interactive civil rights seminar led by Stetson Law Professor Robert Bickel last July. The travel course helped history and law come alive for students as they followed in the footsteps of the 1961 Freedom Riders who traveled the South to bring awareness to the segregation that still existed in many states.

Students met with prominent activists, including Nashville civil rights movement leader Rip Patton. They also visited important sites such as the Martin Luther King Center, the National Civil Rights Memorial and Southern Poverty Law Center.

For senior Political Science major Laura Guzman ’09 of Mascotte, Fla., the most meaningful part of the experience was getting to know civil

rights leaders and becoming part of their legacy.

“The freedom ride inspired and motivated me, especially after learning that the freedom riders were students just like me,” Guzman said. “I want to change the world like they did. I want to put my heart and mind to work for others just as they did.”

Alumna Alison Steele ’84, JD ’87, helped fund students from the DeLand campus to

take advantage of the unique opportunity. Steele studied under both Dr. T. Wayne Bailey, professor of Political Science at the DeLand campus, and Bickel at the College of Law.

“Dr. Bickel is an inspirational mentor, and this tour was a dream of his,” Steele said.

“When I found out that he and Dr. Bailey were working together to try to make this

opportunity available to students, some of whom were struggling financially to participate, I wanted to help.”

Through the production of two documentaries that chronicle the tour, many others will benefit from the shared experiences. Stan Arthur, video producer and multimedia specialist for the College of Law and co-director of the documentaries, recorded “over 30 hours of oral history, which will preserve the images and voices of civil rights movement veterans at Stetson and be available to teachers and students at other law schools and universities,” Bickel said.

A tour group including Stetson students listens to Sam Walker, docent at the National Voting Rights Museum in Selma, Ala.

After Angel Castillo Jr. ’67 was admitted to Stetson in 1963, he had to request more financial aid in order to enroll. His family had been exiled from Cuba just three years earlier and, with seven children in the family, money was tight.

Castillo went on to become president of student government, an outspoken columnist for The Reporter and a member of the debate team at Stetson. There was a group of Cuban students sponsored by the Episcopal Church, but very few other Hispanic students on campus in the 1960s.

Now a successful attorney, Castillo recently decided to thank Stetson by making a $1,000 lead gift to establish the Hispanic Student Scholarship Fund. The scholarship will be awarded to Hispanic students with financial need. Today, 10 percent of Stetson’s students are Hispanic.

“African-Americans have long been recognized as the minority in this country

in affirmative action and other outreach and assistance programs, and that doesn’t always happen with Hispanics,” he said.

Castillo said his Stetson experience was good preparation for his career. After working as a journalist for The New York Times, St. Pete Times and other newspapers, he attended law school at the University of Florida. He is now a partner in the Miami office of Jackson Lewis, engaged in labor and employment law. He does pro bono work for an immigration advocacy organization.

“Stetson might as well have been Harvard or Oxford in terms of what it meant in my life,” he said.

Castillo encourages other alumni to help build up the fund for the Hispanic Student Scholarship and other scholarships

1967 alumnus establishes Hispanic Student Scholarship Fund

at Stetson.“You don’t have to be Bill Gates to do

something useful,” he said. “There are lots of small ways to help people.”

With the current recession, scholarships are more important than ever, said Martin Carney, director of Financial Aid at Stetson.

“Gifts from alumni who establish scholarships are extra special since they show the appreciation the donor has for a school based on the donor’s personal experience, and often it enables students to have a personal relationship with a benefactor who enabled them to

attend the college of their choice,” Carney said. “We are very fortunate at Stetson to have recently received funding from Mr. Castillo to establish a new scholarship that will assist students in achieving their dream of obtaining a Stetson diploma.”

Michael Langshaw ’08, Taylor Sinclair ’10, Dr. Raymond Arsenault (author of Freedom

Riders), Laura Guzman ’09, Rebecca Hallum ’10 and Colleen Mulholland ’09

Angel Castillo Jr. ’67

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SPRING/SUMMER 2009 17 13

Making a Difference

Seventeen students who were on the verge of having to leave Stetson in January due to financial

difficulties during the current recession are the first recipients of the university’s new We Believe in You Scholarships. The scholarship fund was quickly set up by Stetson trustees when they learned students weren’t able to come up with the money to continue in school for the 2009 spring semester.

The Financial Aid Office identified 67 students who were at risk of leaving for financial reasons. The staff worked with each student to research additional financial assistance. Those students who had exhausted every available means of financial help – and simply could not stay at Stetson – were contacted by Deborah Thompson, vice president for Enrollment Management and Campus Life, and offered We Believe in You Scholarships. Altogether, 34 of the 67 students remained at Stetson.

Four members of the Stetson Board of Trustees – Nestor de Armas ’73; Dean Hollis ’82; Mark Hollis ’56, Hon. ’03; and David Rinker ’62, Hon. ’07 – rallied fellow trustees to commit nearly $2.5 million over three years in support of student retention scholarships. De Armas, chair of the Board of Trustees, said he presented the request as an opportunity to help “good people whom we want to be Stetson alumni.”

President Doug Lee described the

show of support as “an inspiration…a transformational experience.”

“This is the second time our trustees have, as a group, rallied around a major need at Stetson and have contributed toward it,” Lee said. “First, to raise funds for the new Science Center, and second, to contribute to the We Believe in You Scholarship Fund.”

“Personally, this experience has been amazing, rewarding and energizing,” de Armas said. “Our trustees made significant financial commitments to the future of these students, while they themselves were experiencing financial difficulties, because we know this university transforms lives. We believe in Stetson. We believe in our students, faculty and staff.”

In the midst of these extraordinary economic times, Stetson is doing everything possible to stabilize the university’s economic situation, Lee said. Since January 2008, when Stetson’s retention was first negatively affected by financial difficulties, university

officials had been preparing for the recession. Budget reductions were made in the 2007-08 academic year, and the 2008-09 budget was reworked to remove an additional $2.1 million.

“The challenges are real,” the president said, “but working together, we are confident we will come through in good shape – and prepared for the better days ahead.”

Trustees help students stay in school in tight economic times

Scholars, donors meet at 4th Annual Scholarship Benefactor Luncheon

One hundred twenty scholarship benefactors, recipients and guests, representing more than 30 named scholarships, attended the 4th Annual Scholarship Benefactor Luncheon on Feb. 8 in the Stetson Room of the Carlton Union Building. The event to connect scholarship benefactors with their scholars featured speakers including Snowden-Lane Scholar Alexandra Aldrich ’10, Urich Scholar Akeel St. Jean ’11, and scholarship benefactor David Rinker ’62, Hon. ’07, as well as a musical performance by Duckwitz Talent Scholar Morgan Stuart ’09 (pictured above).

Over the years, Stetson University has cultivated a variety of productive and

mutually beneficial relationships with corporations and local business leaders. Stetson’s Corporate Partners Program provides an opportunity for companies to increase their visibility on campus and in the community and become actively involved with the university. While corporate gifts provide support for scholarships, capital projects, faculty research and athletics programs, corporate partners gain from a long list of benefits that enhance awareness and recognition of their businesses.

A recent gift from Mainstreet Community Bank will help fund student scholarships, providing critical financial assistance to deserving students. As a steadfast supporter of athletics for many years, Ben Flowers, president/CEO, recognizes the value of community involvement. Three of his family members are Stetson graduates, and

this legacy underscores a common commitment to excellence in education.

Florida Hospital DeLand has provided strong support to science education at Stetson through a contribution to the new Science Center. This partnership has continued to grow as Daryl Tol, president/CEO, has committed to several collaborative programs with the university that are designed to benefit the local community.

Longtime Stetson donor Progress Energy provides need-based scholarships with a focus on environmental science. Student scholars Amanda Desormeaux ’10, Jessica Hodal ’10 and Karly Overmyer ’10 are grateful

for the opportunities made possible by this support. “I have been able to accomplish so much with the help of

others,” Desormeaux said. “I cannot thank Progress Energy enough for giving me the chance to continue my education at Stetson!”

Bright House Networks renewed its Corporate Partner Program participation through scholarship

gifts. “It is a good investment,” said John Poage, Bright House Networks strategic development specialist. “Successful students invigorate our workforce and can help strengthen the nation.”

Enhance your business by becoming a corporate partner. Contact the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations at 386-822-7462 or cfr@stetson.edu.

Businesses contribute to Stetson through Corporate Partners Program

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Descendants of Allen family donate keepsakes, letters to

Stetson library

Political Science major Akeel St. Jean ’11 feels tremendously blessed to receive scholarships to

attend Stetson. “Growing up, my mother always instilled in me the value of giving – not giving for the sole purpose of getting something in return, but rather, giving to truly make a difference,” said St. Jean, who is from Kingshill, on the island of St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. “I am fortunate to see her conception of giving come into fruition through the philanthropic endeavors of my scholarship donor, Steve Urich ’91, and other donors.”

Scholarship support makes all the difference for students who cannot otherwise afford a private higher education. This year, 93.2 percent of Stetson students received financial assistance, totaling $30.3 million.

In today’s faltering economy, gifts to the Annual Fund for scholarships and donor-funded scholarships are vital to students, said Susan Anderson, associate vice president for University Relations.

“As a private university, Stetson is dependent on private donations,” Anderson said. “While the university has already made significant expense reductions, it is projected Stetson will continue to face expanding expenses and shrinking revenues in coming months.

“You are important to Stetson,” she said. “Your gift to the Annual Fund in any amount, when combined with other gifts at all levels, can have a significant impact on today’s students. It literally can be the gift that allows a student like Akeel to remain at Stetson, benefiting from the transformational educational experience offered here.”

To honor a professor who made a significant impact in his life, Aden Sowell ’60, and his wife, Nancy,

established the Byron H. Gibson Award Fund and included a provision for it in their estate plans.

For Sowell, a student who struggled in English, Dr. Gibson was a treasured mentor and friend. Sowell felt Dr. Gibson, who preferred his students call him “Coach,” saw a potential and talent in him beyond his ability in the

classroom. The fact that Coach Gibson treated his class with parity made a lasting impression on Sowell. A longtime English professor and chair of the department at Stetson, Gibson died in 2005.

The Byron H. Gibson Award, established in 2006, honors a graduating senior English major for his or her academic achievement, creativity, imagination and service to the

Gifted professor’s legacy lives on through English award

Annual Fund scholarships transform studentsCivil War-era letters written by James Frederick Allen before, during and after he was a prisoner of war at Andersonville Prison, a spoon and Bible he used at Andersonville, and family keepsakes and photos were recently donated to the duPont-Ball Library by Donald Allen Regar and his children. Allen and his wife, Calista Doble Allen, who were Donald Regar’s great-grandparents, arrived in DeLand in 1875 and built a house on Woodland Boulevard that is now Stetson’s Office of Public Relations and Communications. Four of their children attended Stetson. More information is available

on the library Web site: http://www2.stetson.edu/library/specialcollections_regar.php.

department. Inspired by Sowell’s thoughtful gifts,

John S. “Jack” Gibson ’56, one of Gibson’s sons, made a gift to permanently endow the fund in his father’s name. Jack Gibson’s generosity makes it possible for his father’s legacy of dedication to Stetson and its students to be

continued in perpetuity as the Byron H. Gibson Endowed Award Fund.

another and grow both personally and professionally. By empowering the student mentors, the entire university community benefits.”

The first team is made up of Michaela Dati ’09, a Finance major; Matthew Hicks ’10, a Finance and Accounting double-major; Aaron King ’08, MBA ’09, who holds a Bachelor of Music degree; and Bashorat Usmanova ’09, an Accounting Information Systems major.

The mentors were trained by educator Olga Magnusen, former senior director of Career Services at Florida International University. Students who wish to meet with a mentor can schedule an appointment or simply come to University Career Services in Flagler Hall during walk-in hours.

Stetson’s University Career Services office has launched a Peer Mentor Program focusing on the

principles of peer education, leadership, team building, enthusiasm, creativity, volunteerism and commitment. Select

students help others while developing skills necessary to excel in their own careers, said Robin Kazmarek, director of University Career Services.

The mentors assist fellow students with basic career development needs such as resume reviews, interview preparation, graduate school preparation and general academic major exploration. Supported by a $5,000 grant from Target, the program began presenting roundtable discussions and training sessions, along with one-on-one career advising, during the spring semester.

“With the Peer Mentor Program, our office is able to serve more students and provide another valuable resource,” Kazmarek said. “It is an incredible opportunity for students to assist one

Student mentors now assisting with basic career development needs

Michaela Dati ’09, Olga Magnusen, Aaron King ’08, Bashorat Usmanova ’09 and Matthew Hicks ’10

2008 Gibson Award winner Monica Brewer ’08 with English Department Chair Tom Farrell (both center) and the student winners of other English

Department awards at Honors Convocation

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SPRING/SUMMER 2009

Making a Difference

Faculty and students are developing new chemistry “data-driven” online learning modules for high

school students through a $50,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation. The initiative is part of a nationwide effort to increase the number of college students and scientists in the physical sciences.

The project started this spring, and the first online modules will be published on the Internet by the end of 2009. Access to these online learning materials will be open and free to teachers, students and the general public, said Dr. W. Tandy Grubbs, a Chemistry professor who is one of two faculty members overseeing the initiative. Additional online modules will be developed and published the following year.

“The United States is falling behind in chemistry and physics compared to the rest of the world, both in numbers and performance,” Grubbs said. “So we need to improve our educational opportunities in math and science, particularly at the pre-college level.”

Stetson receives grant to develop high school learning modulesStetson science students are working

with Stetson professors to design the learning modules. These students will have the potential to show high school students that science education is open to all, including minorities.

The university currently has 14 students majoring in Chemistry and 24 majoring in Biochemistry. The new Science Center opened in January, and the number of applicants to Stetson’s science programs has tripled this year.

“These data-driven activities, which will be part of a digital library that can be freely accessed by K-12 teachers and students, will help high school students learn new material in a way that mimics

the actual practice of science,” said AT&T Florida President Marshall M. Criser III. “In the development and implementation of the modules, Stetson students will act as valuable role models and take part in educating our next generation of students.”

The AT&T Foundation is the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T, which supports projects that create learning opportunities, promote academic and economic achievement and address community needs. In 2007, it contributed more than $164 million through corporate, employee and foundation giving programs nationwide.

How to Give - You, Too, Can Make a DifferenceGive by Credit Card: It’s easy and secure! Go to

www.stetson.edu/give for our convenient online gift form, or call the Office of Development at (386) 822-7455 to make your gift by phone.

Send a Check: Mail your check payable to Stetson University, Office of Development, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., Unit 8286, DeLand, FL 32723.

Contribute appreciated securities: Contact the Office of Development at (386) 822-7455 for more information on how to process your gift.

Questions? Contact us at (386) 822-7455 or send an e-mail to Director of Annual and Planned Giving Kate Pearce at kpearce@stetson.edu.

Landscape memorials provide lasting tribute to alumni, friends

The car dealership founded by alumnus Dayton Andrews ’49 featured an oak tree that was a

Clearwater landmark, and the company’s ads urged folks to meet Andrews “under the oak tree” to talk about buying a car. So it was a fitting tribute when a live oak tree was recently planted in Andrews’ memory in the heart of Stetson’s DeLand campus.

The tree memorial, established through a gift to Stetson by longtime friend Alan Starling, was dedicated in November with Dayton’s wife, Betty Jo ’50, and other family members and friends in attendance. Knowing that Dayton and Betty Jo were Stetson graduates and having just purchased a car dealership of his own in DeLand, Starling saw the memorial as a way to honor his mentor.

Andrews, a veteran of World War II, died last June. In addition to being a successful businessman, he was the first non-attorney member of the Board of Overseers at the Stetson College of Law.

“Planting a tree on campus is a meaningful way to create a lasting tribute to somebody’s life,” said Kate Pearce, director of Annual and Planned Giving. “Landscape memorials create special places on campus that encourage passers-by to pause and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds them.”

Several other tree memorials have been established recently.

One tree has been planted near the new Mary B. McMahan Hall for music in memory of alumna Doris Williams Davis ’42. A History and Education major, she was also active in the School of Music, sang with the Glee Club and performed in Stetson’s musical theater productions. Doris Davis died in 2007.

The brothers of Phi Sigma Kappa established a landscape memorial in remembrance of Scott Miller, a student and fraternity member who passed away in January 2008. Miller was a Biology major and Bonner Scholar, and his tree is located near the new Science Center.

Friends and co-workers of Dr. Iliana Mankin, an associate professor of Modern Languages and Literatures who died in November, have established

a tree memorial near the new Homer and Dolly Hand Art Center and Holler Fountain. Mankin was a member of the Stetson faculty for 15 years, teaching Spanish and Spanish American literature.

The family of Wayne Hanks ’76, who worked at Stetson for 23 years, established a landscape memorial outside his former office in Facilities on campus. Hanks died in January.

Members of Pi Kappa Alpha, led by Dan Byrne ’87, along with Karen Bittenbinder Lunder ’90, established a memorial in honor of Christopher E. Lunder ’89. Chris, Karen’s husband

and a Pike fraternity brother, was killed on Sept. 11, 2001, in the World Trade Center terrorist attack. The memorial is also in honor of Pike fraternity brothers who are no longer with us.

For more information about memorial gifts, contact Pearce at (386) 822-7461 or kpearce@stetson.edu.

Family and friends gather to dedicate a live oak in memory of Dayton Andrews ’49.

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