Stetson
University
Deland,
Florida
Liberal
Arts University
Founded 1883, the
first private school in Florida
Stetson University was founded as DeLand Academy in 1883 by New York entrepreneur Henry DeLand. Mr. DeLand believed that the town could be better promoted as a settlement if it boasted an educational institution. In November 1883, thirteen students were enrolled in classed in the reading room of the First Baptist church. The following year Henry DeLand built DeLand Hall; that year there were 80 + students enrolled at the DeLand Academy.
Henry DeLand experienced financial difficulties in the middle 1880's as the result of a freeze and found it impossible to continue support for the university. He turned to his friend, John Batterson Stetson a wealthy hat manufacturer and philanthropist, who made his first trip to DeLand in 1886 at the invitation
of Henry DeLand. Through his friendship with DeLand, Stetson had become interested in the school.
In 1887 Stetson was elected to the university board of trustees, and in 1889, with the encouragement of Henry DeLand the name of the university was changed to John B. Stetson University
Head Coach:
Pete Dunn
2400 Students
More than you ever wanted to know about Deland FL
Melching field
From I-75 (in Ocala):
Take Exit 358 and head east on State Road 326.
Travel approximately 15 miles and turn left on State Road 40.
Travel approximately 45 miles and turn right on US Highway 17 in Barberville.
Travel approximately 15 miles into Deland as
highway 17 becomes Woodland Boulevard.
Pass through the Stetson campus and downtown DeLand.
Melching Field at Conrad Park will be on the left at the corner of
Woodland and Hubbard.
From Orlando:
From (I-4 East)
Take the first Deland Exit (114) and turn left on State Road 472.
Travel approximately three miles and
fork right onto Highway 17/92, which becomes Woodland Boulevard.
Pass through five stop lights.
Melching Field at Conrad Park will be on the right at the corner of
Woodland and Hubbard.
