The Stetson community came together for the third annual Doug and Margaret Lee Day of Service last week, and for the first time, alumni and friends joined students, faculty and staff in the day's activities. We began with a campus kickoff where participants gathered and enjoyed breakfast kindly sponsored by McDonald’s.

Volunteers then headed to projects on and off campus. Alumni, staff and community members met at Blue Spring State Park for a clean-up led by Jessica Meinhofer ’00, and students took part in additional activities hosted by The Neighborhood Center. Beyond our local area, Karen Schmitt Roberts ’80 led a Jupiter Beach clean-up, and our Atlanta alumni community partnered with Trees Atlanta for this year’s Plantlanta event.

Doug and Margaret Lee contributed greatly to their community, and that commitment continues to guide this day. Thank you to the Blue Spring park rangers, The Neighborhood Center and our alumni leaders and partners for making these efforts possible.

We’re excited to launch #FirstFriday, a new monthly tradition celebrating Hatter pride. 

Each month on the first Friday, the Stetson Alumni Board invites you to wear green or your favorite Stetson gear and join fellow alumni in celebrating what it means to be a Hatter. Share a photo of yourself in Stetson green, tag Stetson University Alumni Association on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn and use the hashtag #FirstFriday for a chance to be featured on our social media pages and in our newsletter.

Join us for the next #FirstFriday on December 5 and help spread Hatter pride!

November 26-28 | Thanksgiving Break - SU Offices Closed

December 2 | Yule Log Celebration - DeLand Campus

December 5 | St. Augustine Night of Lights

December 2-13 | 12 Days of Stetson

December 22 - January 5 | Holiday Break - SU Offices Closed

January 16 | FMEA with School of Music

Starting on Giving Tuesday (December 2) through December 13, you can kick off the holiday season by making a gift that will help impact students far into 2026! When you make a gift to the Stetson Fund, Hatter Ready or the Athletics Strategic Impact Fund, you’re not only giving the gift of support, but you’re also adding extra Hatter holiday spirit to the season. 

Plus, as a token of appreciation for your generosity, we’re offering limited-edition Stetson items to celebrate your support. Interested in participating? Reach out to us at hattersgive@stetson.edu to be sure you’re on the list to receive communications about the 12 Days of Stetson!

Join us this Saturday, November 22 as Stetson Athletics hosts Military Appreciation programming during the Football and Men’s Basketball games. Throughout each game we will recognize Hatter Veterans and pay tribute to those who serve. The Stetson ROTC will present the colors as part of the day’s ceremonies.

Football kicks off at 1 p.m. against San Diego, followed by Men’s Basketball at 7 p.m. vs. Virginia Military Institute. Veterans, Military Personnel, First Responders and their families can now access discounted game tickets through Vet Tix at www.VetTix.org or 1st Tix at www.1stTix.org.

Yule Log Celebration & Meet the Bells

On Tuesday, December 2 celebrate one of Stetson’s cherished traditions as our community gathers in front of the CUB for the annual Yule Log Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. This event honors the spirit of the season and the memories of Hatters who have passed, symbolizing hope, renewal and unity. Arrive early at 5:15 p.m. to “Meet the Bells” — a special opportunity to view a selection of the new Hulley Tower carillon bells up close before they’re installed in the tower.

After the ceremony, enjoy hot cocoa and cider at Winter Wonderland in Palm Court and explore the festive holiday menu available for purchase in the Commons. All alumni, friends and community members are welcome to join in this evening of music, reflection and celebration.

Chicago Sinfonietta MLK Tribute Concert

Alumni are invited to attend Chicago Sinfonietta’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert in Chicago. Alumni can receive discounted tickets for the performance on January 19 at 4 p.m. with promo code STETSONALUMN. To purchase tickets, follow this link and select "Get Tickets", pick the January 19 Auditorium performance, apply the code, choose seats in back left Orchestra marked with a green or yellow “S” for Stetson, and go to check out.

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

Germany & Costa Rica Alumni Trip Programs

Whether you missed studying abroad or want to recapture the immersive travel you enjoyed as a student, Stetson is offering two unique alumni trips for 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.

Stetson pre-law students have launched a new undergraduate chapter of the National Black Law Students Association, led by Collin Hughley ’27 and a dedicated team. Their mission is to support Black and minority pre-law students through community, resources and professional development. In addition, Stetson’s pre-law program is expanding with new initiatives, including an additional minor and a planned Living and Learning Community.

As Hulley Tower undergoes restoration, Sparton DeLeon Springs, LLC is sponsoring a Veterans Bell as part of the new 52-bell carillon to honor those who have served. The bell, inscribed with a quote from Ronald Reagan, will serve as a lasting tribute to veterans and a symbol of community pride. A dedication ceremony for the restored tower is planned for Saturday, February 7.

Undergraduates are gaining hands-on experience in biomedical research, including studying how Merkel Cell Polyomavirus causes aggressive skin cancer under Dr. Kristine Dye whose lab recently received a $547,875 NIH grant. 

Mike Buemi ’05 has been appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Counternarcotics and Stabilization Policy at the Pentagon. A lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, Mike is branched Infantry and served in Afghanistan in 2007 and 2008. In his new civilian role within the Department of War he serves at a level equivalent to a two-to-three-star general.

Ret. Lt. Col. Russell Walker ’63 served in the U.S. Corps of Engineers before becoming an ordained United Methodist minister. He later reentered the military as a chaplain. A Stetson ROTC alumnus, he served both stateside and overseas, including a deployment to Kuwait during Desert Shield in 1990 through the end of Operation Desert Storm.