STETSON UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2025-2026
PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2025-2026
President’s Letter During Convocation 2025, to begin the new academic year, I spoke about the importance of preparing our students both in the classroom and beyond our campus. My words: “Today is about focusing our collective energies to help our students to learn, to grow, to reach their full potential.” Nearly nine months later, at our 140th Commencement, I stated our graduates personified Stetson’s “powerful and passionate learning community.” We graduated an absolutely tremendous Class of 2026 — prepared to take on the world! The same can be said about the classes of 2027, 2028 and 2029. As we opened the academic year, Stetson held a top-10 regional ranking by U.S. News & World Report in multiple areas. We were a Wall Street Journal “Best” college and national College of Distinction, among other accolades. In the fall, student research was bolstered by two national funding awards. The spring semester was highlighted by the opening of the 305-bed Lynn Hall, the renovation of our Edmunds Center and the alumni-led dedication of Hulley Tower, exemplifying an everlasting Soul of Stetson. Also, we received the Education Leader of the Year Award for the university’s commitment to dignity, respect, equity, compassion, community engagement and student belonging. The 2025-2026 year, in fact, was one for the ages.
Christopher F. Roellke, PhD President, Stetson University Professor of American Studies and Education
BEGINNINGS
Move-In An annual rite of passage, Move-In Day saw students brimming with excitement as they arrived. Then they transformed their rooms into homes away from home.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2025-2026
FOCUS FOCUS is code for learning and fun. The multiday orientation was expanded for summer 2025 to help new students make the transition to Hatter life.
Convocation For new students, the Hatter journey officially began at this festive gathering of students, faculty and staff. Anticipation and encouragement filled the air, including from Professor John Riggs, DBA, 2025 recipient of Stetson’s top award for teaching.
HATTER READY
Beyond Academics The Hatter Ready program takes learning beyond the classroom, immersing students in hands-on experiences across disciplines. In Sage Hall science labs, they work alongside expert faculty, building research skills and pursuing their own faculty-mentored projects and other opportunities.
Into Research Students present their discoveries at Stetson’s annual Showcase and at national research conferences. This experiential learning helps prepare graduates for careers in health care and admission to leading graduate and health professional schools.
$2M
NSF Stetson received the National Science Foundation grant to support 24 STEM scholars across two cohorts of students, beginning in the Fall 2026 semester.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2025-2026
Fulbright Awards Students find many opportunities to explore the world through study abroad and other programs. This year, three students applied for prestigious U.S. Student Fulbright Awards, and all three were selected to teach English and conduct research in Tajikistan and Germany.
Presidential Fellows The Presidential Fellows Program announced it would expand for the Fall 2026 semester. The fellows work closely with President Roellke, receive significant financial support and develop leadership skills through hands-on experiential learning.
$548K
NIH The National Institutes of Health grant will support Assistant Professor Kristine Dye’s research lab, which currently studies viruses that cause cancer, with the help of student research assistants.
HATTER READY
Mock Trial In April, Stetson’s undergraduate Mock Trial team competed in the American Mock Trial Association National Championship Tournament — the only Florida school for the second consecutive year.
College of Law Stetson’s College of Law in Gulfport ranked No. 1 in legal writing for the first time by U.S. News & World Report while also retaining its No. 1 status in trial advocacy for the fourth consecutive year.
AI Task Force
The Future of AI at Stetson University Task Force was established with faculty, staff, and students from diverse disciplines to explore the responsible integration of artificial intelligence and prepare ethical, innovative leaders who understand the capacity of AI to shape a better future.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2025-2026
Game Design For a fourth time, Stetson made The Princeton Review’s list of Top Game Design Programs, recognizing the exceptional quality of academics, faculty, game design labs and career outcomes for students.
Carnegie Hall In March, student musicians took the stage at one of the world’s most celebrated concert venues, New York City’s Carnegie Hall. The annual Dr. M. Jean Greenlaw Stetson University Concert showcased the talents of selected soloists and chamber ensembles.
COMMUNITY
Homecoming
Values Day
An unforgettable Homecoming 2025 was packed with fun from Hatter Howl, Airwaves, the Bonfire and Palm Fest to a Staff/Faculty vs. Students softball game.
On a historic Values Day, Stetson unveiled a revised set of university values: Intellectual Exploration, Inclusive Community, Human Dignity and Personal Growth.
Music Atrium
Lecturers
With a generous donation from the Hollis family, the School of Music celebrated its new Hollis Family Music Atrium, a place for students to gather and create music.
The Free Inquiry & Expression and the Future of Democracy Series hosted events throughout the year, including speakers like Desmond Meade (president of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition).
PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2025-2026
Pledging Unity Stetson’s Greek Life was active in the Central Florida Pledge, which focuses on treating everyone with dignity and respect, even when they disagree on issues. Their efforts and others led the Central Florida Pledge to select Stetson as the 2026 “Education Leader of the Year.”
Showcase Stetson Showcase, an annual celebration of student research, creativity and performance, also provided an opportunity to thank donors for their impact on the student experience during a special Donor Appreciation Luncheon.
A 24-hour celebration of philanthropy and participation, Stetson Gives became a record-setting day for giving, with 874 donors providing $413,982 for Stetson scholarships and programs.
HATTER SPIRIT
Athletics Wins • Men’s Tennis ASUN Title • Beach Volleyball ASUN Title • Softball ASUN Title • Members of Men’s and Women’s Golf Advance to NCAA Tournament • Six NCAA Programs Earned Perfect 100% Graduation Success Rate • Pilar Astigarraga Harper (Women’s Tennis) Named Academic All-American
HatterFest An example of strengthening community impact, HatterFest debuted as an Athletics pep rally in historic Downtown DeLand during the fall’s Family & Friends Weekend.
Intramurals A vibrant and growing Intramural Sports program features seven sports: Flag Football, Soccer, Dodgeball, Remote Control Racing, Softball, Volleyball and Basketball.
Club Sports Stetson Club Sports is all about social engagement, intellectual development and personal growth through everything from Aikido and Sailing to Surfing and Top Hats (dance).
CELEBRATION
Lynn Hall Ribbon-Cutting Thanks to the generous support of university Trustee Christine E. Lynn, a new 305-bed residence hall opened, offering many amenities and elevating the student experience.
Hulley Tower Day of Celebration In a grand celebration, Stetson dedicated a historically rebuilt Hulley Tower. A new 52-bell carillon, with bells cast in Innsbruck, Austria, was installed as part of the alumni-funded project.
Edmunds Center Reimagined A lively ceremony marked the completion of the J. Ollie Edmunds Center renovations, unveiling a new facade and enhancements for student-athletes, fans and campus events.
Pictured: Quinn Dufour (Bachelor of Business Administration)
The Class of 2026 — more than 1,000 graduates in DeLand and at the College of Law — became Hatters for life, officially increasing the overall count of living Stetson alumni to more than 45,000.