This year was another exciting chapter for Stetson and our alumni community. We moved closer to new and innovative milestones, earned national recognition for academic excellence, sustainability and veteran support and celebrated meaningful moments across campus and beyond. Throughout the year, a wide range of events brought us closer together, including a Homecoming that honored our legacy — past and present — and celebrated 160 years of the Stetson Hat Company.

As we look ahead, we’re excited for what’s next and can’t wait to see you 2026! Relive the highlights and view photos from events throughout the year on our Flickr.

December 19 | Germany Alumni Trip Zoom Info Session 1

December 22 - January 4 | Holiday Break - SU Offices Closed

January 8 | Germany Alumni Trip Zoom Info Session 2

January 15 | Lynn Hall Dedication & Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

January 16 | FMEA with School of Music

January 19 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day - SU Offices Closed

January 19 | Chicago Sinfonietta MLK Tribute Concert

January 22 | MLK Life & Legacy Luncheon

January 29 | Men's Basketball Pre-Game Happy Hour, SU vs UNF

February 7 | Hulley Tower Dedication Day of Celebration

February 14 | DeLand Dog Parade

February 21 | Edmunds Center Showcase & Open House

The 12 Days of Stetson sparked joy this holiday season. Thanks to 58 generous donors, we raised more than $6,480 for the Stetson Fund, Hatter Ready General Fund, and the Athletic Strategic Impact Fund, bringing total end of calendar year giving to $77,140.

Your generosity directly supports scholarships, hands-on learning experiences, and our student-athletes—on and off the field. Because of you, Stetson’s traditions continue to thrive, and our students are empowered to succeed.

We are grateful for your Hatter pride and for showing what’s possible when our community comes together. Join fellow Hatters and make your gift before Dec. 31 to ensure Stetson students are Hatter Ready to take on 2026!

DeLand Dog Parade

The annual Mardi Gras Dog Parade is Feb. 14! Alumni, are invited to walk with us.

Show your Hatter spirit by wearing Stetson gear or Mardi Gras attire. Feel free to bring SU swag, signs or Greek org. signage to help represent our community. Communication will be sent the day before with our lineup location. See you there!

Chicago Sinfonietta MLK Tribute Concert

Did you know that fellow Hatter Sidney Jackson Jr. '04, MBA '05 is the current President and CEO of the Chicago Sinfonietta, and that Hatter alumni can enjoy discounted tickets to the upcoming MLK Concert on Monday, Jan. 19 at 4 p.m. in Chicago? Use promo code STETSONALUMN, purchase tickets at the button below and select "Get Tickets", pick the Jan. 19 Auditorium performance, apply code, choose seats in back left Orchestra marked with a green or yellow “S” and check out!

Questions? Contact Aidan at 312-284-1554 or amacgregor@chicagosinfonietta.org.

Alumni Reception at FMEA

On Jan. 16 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., join us for an alumni reception during the Florida Music Educators Association Conference. Pre-registered guests will receive one complimentary drink ticket. Light hors d'oeuvres will be served. RSVP by Jan. 9. 

Germany & Costa Rica Alumni Trips

Stetson is offering two unique alumni trips in 2026. Choose from a festive cultural journey through Germany’s historic cities and Christmas markets, or an adventure through Costa Rica’s rainforests, volcanoes and rich biodiversity. Both small-group programs are led by Stetson experts and offer meaningful, educational experiences designed just for alumni and friends.

Apply for the Germany trip here and the Costa Rica trip here.

Interested in the Germany 2026 trip next December? Join one of the upcoming info sessions on Zoom on December 19 or January 8. 

Join us for the ribbon-cutting and dedication of Lynn Hall on Thursday, Jan. 15. The ceremony begins at 1 p.m., followed by an open house and tours from 1:30–3 p.m. Lynn Hall is located on Bert Fish Dr. and is Stetson's newest Residence Hall. 

The Fall 2025 issue of Stetson Magazine is here! Explore the latest SU news and Class Notes submitted by alumni. Do you have a professional or personal milestone to share for the next Stetson Magazine? Complete the form to be included in Spring 2026 issue.

Join us for the Hulley Tower Day of Celebration on Saturday, February 7, at Stetson University’s DeLand campus. This historic occasion will mark the official re-dedication of Hulley Tower, celebrating the restoration of one of Stetson’s most iconic landmarks through an alumni-led effort honoring the University’s legacy and future.

The day will feature a series of optional campus events, culminating in the Hulley Tower Ceremony from 4–5 p.m. at Brockway Plaza. Alumni and friends are invited to participate in any or all of the day’s activities.

Join us for Edmunds Center Reimagined: Game Day Celebration & Showcase on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 11:30 a.m. at the Edmunds Center. This event will mark the completion of the Edmunds Center expansion and renovation and will include opportunities to tour the newly updated facility. The celebration takes place ahead of a “Double Hatter” of Men’s and Women’s Basketball home games. Additional details will be shared soon.

The Stetson Surf Club has been on fire this year. The club recently secured Stetson’s first-ever East Coast title by winning the men’s division at the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) East Coast Championship, competing against schools from across the region. Beyond competition, the club has seen growing interest on campus, with many students learning to surf for the first time.

Surf Club President Braeden Kopec shared, “It has been amazing to see the interest in our club from students. We’ve brought people to the beach for the first time in their lives, and they fall in love with the sport and the environment. Those moments make it a pleasure to lead this club.”

The Surf Club provides opportunities to learn to surf, compete and travel while proudly representing Stetson. To continue this success, the club is fundraising to help provide surfboards for members who cannot afford them. Funds raised will help sustain the club and expand access for future students.

To support the Stetson Surf Club, visit www.stetson.edu/give. On the donation form, select “other” and write in “Surf Club.” To follow the club’s journey, visit @stetsonsurfclub on Instagram or contact President Braeden Kopec.

Amy Schultz MEd ’90 debuted "The Nativity Project," a solo exhibition at the Arlington Museum of Art in Arlington, Texas. The exhibition, which is currently running now through January 4, 2026, features original photographs of outdoor nativity scenes that Schultz took over nearly a decade of travel to all fifty states. The exhibit also includes select excerpts from her field journal. 

Gino Santos ’82, current Stetson University Trustee, and co-founder and resident of Premium Blend, was featured in the Miami Herald for his innovative approach to helping small businesses thrive. His work not only supports local operators, but gives many the chance to grow to the point of securing full licenses, a true ripple effect of opportunity.