teaching load, research and scholarly activity, service obligations, evaluation and merit. These are formidable issues. The strength of the university is that we have the will to address them. The thoroughness of the self-study review and analysis, the candor and openness of our Self-Study Report, and the strong participation of the university community were noted by the SACS visiting team in February 2001. Of the 480 required criteria, only 12 were deemed insufficient by SACS. These are presently being addressed by the President's Staff. An additional eight suggestions were made and two commen- dations received, which note the integra- tion of values throughout the curriculum or the past three years Stetson and the partnering that occurs between University engaged in a the university librarians and teaching process of reaccreditation by faculty in integrating information literacy the Southern Association of skills into the curriculum. In addition, the Colleges and Schools (SACS). visiting team recognized the programs at Involving hundreds of people the Stetson University Center at Celebra- and thousands of work hours, the manda- tion as equivalent to those offered on the tory self-study examined every aspect of the main campus. university. From the school's mission stated purpose of eliciting broad-based The process of reaccreditation will be statement to educational programs, Stetson participation in an on-going, improvement- complete when affirmation is received from addressed some 480 criteria set down by the oriented, self-evaluation process, the the Commission on Colleges of the Southern regional accrediting agency. Steering Committee solicited input from Association of Colleges and Schools at their The issue of accreditation is a major some 150 additional committee members in annual meeting in December. While we are concern for any college or university. While an effort to establish compliance, as well as confident of the outcome, the real value of SACS accredits the university at large, the identify potential areas for self-improvement. the self-study has been the energy we have various schools and colleges of the university Over the next two years, several tangible brought to the process as we have worked are accredited by additional associations and significant changes occurred as a direct together as an institution of higher educa- particular to their fields of study: the College result of the self-study process: A new tion to identify our strengths and address our of Law by the American Bar Association mission statement addressing the core values weaknesses in our pursuit of excellence. and the Association of American Law of the university was ratified; numerous - Dr. Kandy Queen-Sutherland Schools; the School of Music by the policies and procedures were updated; an National Association of Schools of Music; on-line policy manual was developed; the and the School of Business Administration function of the Institutional Research Office by the AACSB International. Accreditation was expanded; a campus study center was Queen-Sutherland, a guarantees that a school is financially viable, established with a new staff member hired to professor of Religious adheres to agreed upon standards of direct it; improved support for Macintosh Studies, directed conduct and complies with its stated purpose computer users was developed; and a Stetson University's and mission. The benefits of accreditation revision of university and division-wide self-study for include student access to state and federal annual reports to include a section on reaccreditation. She loans and transfer of credit to other educa- assessment was instituted. earned a bachelor's tional institutions, as well as recognition by More importantly, key issues that speak to degree from one's peer institutions. the heart of the university were identified. Winthrop College, During the fall of 1998, the President's The first pertains to academic quality, now Winthrop Staff - as the primary planning and specifically as it relates to incoming student University, Rock Hill, administrative body of the university - quality, student retention and the adequacy S. C., and a master of conducted an initial review of compliance. of our academic programs. A second divinity degree and doctorate from Southern This work was handed over to a Self-Study concerns the role of faculty. Topics to be Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky. Steering Committee in May 1999. With a discussed in the coming year include STETSON UNIVERSITY STETSON UNIVERSITY VOLUME 19 - NUMBER I PUBLICATIONS ADVISORY BOARD ALUMNI Corky and George Dannals Vincetta Giammanco Ford Martha Pollard Holler Claire Beth Langston Link 15 Evelyn West-Mills Todd Richardson PARENTS COUNCIL International Education Gwendolyn Owens at Stetson University Mary Kay Richter STUDYING ABROAD: FACULTY AND STAFF THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME Steve Barnett If you can dream it, you can do it - 2 Ellen Smith Darald Stubbs Stetson University takes the high road to Scotland - 4 My Scotland diary - 6 STUDENT Perry finds passion in service to others - 8 Shauna White The world is Torres' classroom - 10 The Alliance for International Reforestation Inc. - 11 H. Douglas Lee, President More on Stetson's Guatemalan connection - 13 4 E Mark Whittaker, Vice Art takes flight - 15 President for University Relations DAYS TO REMEMBER: STETSON UNIVERSITY Brian G. Miller, Executive Director of Marketing and RESPONDS TO TRAGEDY 21 Communications STETSON `CELEBRATES' Editor and designer: Danielle NEW $7.2 MILLION CAMPUS - 31 Laprime '95 MA Writers: Cheryl Downs, Betty 11 Brady and others as noted DEPARTMENTS LET'S TALK: ABOUT ACCREDITATION - Opposite page CUPOLA: ALUMNI NEWS - 16 Cover: A landmark of Stetson University's beautiful DeLand UNDER THE CUPOLA - 22 campus, the Cupola CAMPUS SPOTLIGHT: STETSON WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: on Elizabeth Hall, has A WINNING TEAM - 33 been refurbished. It is 31 lighted each evening at dusk. Stetson University is published semiannually by Stetson University, DeLand, Florida 32720-3781, and is distributed to its alumni, families, and friends. Printed by Independent Printing, Daytona Beach, on recycled paper. Visit Stetson University on the Internet: www.stetson.edu The following pages If you can dream it, you can do it showcase selected Stetson University Studying abroad: programs and student and faculty experiences The adventure of a lifetime abroad. For more information on By Nancy Leonard Stetson's Study Abroad ost college students who participate in study abroad programs rank the experience among Program, visit the the best of their college careers. Study abroad "I really saw how Center for offers a chance to learn a second language to different things fluency, gain independence and develop are compared to International maturity. It can be a life-changing Mexperience, giving young persons focus and inspiration and making here, and it makes Education online at them more competitive in the job market with a broader view of the world and international culture. you appreciate < www.stetson.edu/ Stetson University is committed to fostering global awareness and things more and Offices/international>, international understanding in its students. Stetson offers its students admire the things an impressive number of opportunities to study abroad, including an on campus at academic year or semester abroad, internships abroad, off-campus others do." programs abroad and summer programs, allowing them to experience -Stetson student in Mexico 202 E. University Ave. life in another culture firsthand and encouraging them to be citizens of the world. Students earn academic credit for all international (behind Health programs offered, and often complete a foreign language minor in a single semester. The university has Services) or call ensured the affordability of study abroad by making financial aid and Stetson scholarships available for all semester and academic year abroad sites. Study abroad with Stetson University is safe, affordable (386) 822-8165. and educational. A cademic year/semester abroad Currently the Center for International Education oversees seven permanent sites in Spain, France, England, Germany, Russia, Hong Kong and Mexico. The programs in Spain, France, Germany, Mexico and Russia are primarily foreign language programs where students can improve or perfect their skills in the host country's language. Students with very strong foreign language skills are encouraged to take courses from the mainstream curriculum at their host universities. Stetson University employs a resident director at each of the foreign language sites to assist students in their orientation and adjustment to their program abroad, as well as see to their Stetson students explore the Palace of the Popes in Avignon, Prance. 2 STETSON UNIVERSITY overall well-being during their experience. At our sites at Hong Kong Baptist University and The Nottingham-Trent University in England, our students are assisted by the universities' own international student offices. Study-abroad programs are organized to ensure the richest possible cross-cultural experience. We emphasize academics and experience. Students are encouraged to spend time with the people of the host culture. They are housed in international student residences or with host families, and are encouraged to take part in cultural trips within the host country organized by their resident directors and international student Internships Abroad Internships abroad are organized through various academic