Hatter Network

Forget Super bowl Sunday, Hatter Network’s @touchstonelitart and @what.radio have something cooking for Monday!

Join the office of Student Development and Campus Vibrancy as well as our very own EIC this Thursday in the first Hatter Meets World of the year! We have two students speaking about technology in the 21st century and will be followed by a conversation about their experiences with tech. We hope to see you there!

If you’re passionate about videography, proficient in Adobe Premiere, and want to tell stories about Stetson’s student population, DM us! This position comes with an assistantship for the 2021-22 school year as well as lots of experience in the journalism and media industry.

Cassie Rice Humans of Stetson

Our Human of Stetson this week is Cassie Rice (‘23). Cassie is a first-semester sophomore Psychology major and Music minor. As a Psychology major, Cassie shares what she’s learned about facial expressions and how it affects our society today. “With a mask, that kind of hinders being able to see peoples facial expressions a lot, but there was a study that showed that the most important facial feature on your face, that tells emotions, it’s actually your eyebrows.” Cassie has always had a love for music and has been performing in choirs ever since she was 11 years old. She is a part of Dr. Craig Maddox’s vocal studio as a mezzo-soprano. Currently, Cassie is a Worship Director for her church and Stetson’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Worship. She was a former treasurer for Stetson’s FCA. “It’s my favorite thing. It’s what really got me to Stetson...just seeing a group and community that really loves Jesus and that is bold to say that on campus.” After earning her Bachelor’s degree in a couple of years, Cassie intends on attending graduate school to seek higher education. She plans on working alongside her aunt, a psychologist, and “her counseling firm, living in Virginia, and being able to help children with their psychological needs.” #humansofstetson #stetsonuniversity

Kyle Bjore Artist of the Week

This week’s artist of the week is Kyle Bjore! Kyle talked to us about his singing and sang a song. Watch his interview to hear it!

Alejandra Correa Human of Stetson

This week’s Human of Stetson is Alejandra Correa (‘24). Alejandra is a freshman Political Science major and Journalism minor. Within her first year at Stetson, Alejandra has built a substantial resume. She is a sister of Alpha Chi Omega, the Director of Marketing and Student Outreach for the SGA, the Chair of Professional Development for Phi Alpha Delta, a member of Stetson’s National Organization for Women, a Focus Leader, and a member of Hatter Network. Ever since high school, Alejandra has been drawn to law. “I really became interested and involved with the study of activism and just knowing a lot of social issues. I became really empowered with a lot of the movements that happened recently, and I knew that I wanted to learn more about not just the movements, but also the way our government functions and how I can be a part of enacting change.” As a Political Science major, Alejandra shares how we can be more engaged in our activism. “The main thing is the importance of voting and the importance of becoming informed on policies and bills that are put in place. Do something about them, lobby, get to your Senators, speak to them, make sure they’re informed because they’re serving you, you’re the constituents.” One of the things Alejandra loves about Stetson is the familiarity of faces, the welcoming environment, and the strength of engagement. “I love that Stetson, you walk by the CUB, you walk by anywhere, you will never go a day without seeing someone that you know.” Once Alejandra earns her Bachelor's degree in a few years, she plans to go right into law school and eventually work her way to becoming a certified and well-established lawyer. After that, she hopes to move on to “a position in government, mayor, governor, working my way up in the ranks as much as I can and hopefully one day be in the Oval Office." #humansofstetson #stetsonuniversity

Humans of Stetson Julexis Gonzalez

Our Human of Stetson this week is Julexis Gonzalez (‘24). Julexis is a first-year student majoring in English and double minoring in Creative Writing and Theater. As a freshman joining college during COVID-19, Julexis shares how the pandemic made her evaluate whether to begin her collegiate career or not. “There were a lot of situations I had to think about how the money was going to go, paying and being able to afford Stetson is a very costly thing. So, obviously, there were a lot of situations where I started to doubt whether I could do this. But, honestly, I don’t think COVID has been a big problem to Stetson, obviously it is a hindrance but we’ve been trying to overcome it.” For Julexis, having the opportunity to take in-person classes was one aspect that drew her to Stetson. “The community is very strong. I definitely feel like I’m not just here for school, I’m here for a career. It’s a lot of inclusion and the professors make sure that the students don’t feel left out.” During her remaining time here at Stetson University, Julexis’s goal is to get at least 10 of her pieces published. “Whether it’s just, like, reading narratives or just simple pieces like a poem or something, to get them out there is a big step… To get those pieces published and get paid for them, I think that would be the goal, the end goal to have done something with my degree.” #humansofstetson #stetsonuniversity

Willie Bess Artist of the Week

Willie Bess is our Artist of the Week! We were able to sit down with Willie to talk about his poetry, and you can watch it here!

Troy Surloff Humans of Stetson

Our Human of Stetson this week is Troy Surloff (‘22). Troy is a junior double majoring in Economics and Environmental Studies. He is a student of the Bonner Program and has been since his freshman year. As an Environmental Studies major, Troy shares insight on disposable and cloth mask waste. “With the pandemic, a lot of face masks are ending up in landfills, completely littering our oceans, our streets. Something that people have to remain mindful of is the environmental impact of wearing disposable masks all the time and how you discard them. They [masks] should go in the trash and be properly washed and reused if they’re cloth. People should realize their environmental impact can really make a difference in the future and, we’re seeing how just these few months have led to a huge waste in disposable masks.” Besides having a rigorous academic schedule, Troy is involved in many organizations across campus. Troy was a former member of Stetson’s Men’s Choir and Concert Choir, is currently a second-year Resident Assistant, a member of the Club Tennis Team, and works with the Neighborhood Center of West Volusia as a Client and Services Specialist as a Bonner Program student. Next year, Troy will be the lead R.A. for Chaudion, Emily, and University Hall. The Spring 2021 semester is halfway over, and for Troy, he is halfway closer to reaching his final year at Stetson as a senior. “I’m looking forward to seeing where life takes me honestly. After senior year, definitely want to get a job and start a career before I continue academically. But, just to not say my goodbyes, but as my grandpa always says “so long.” So, definitely continue to build those connections and relationships and continue to keep them even further from Stetson.” #humansofstetson #stetsonuniversity

What is Unity?

We asked the Stetson community what their definition of unity is on a college campus and set up a sign saying ‘unity’ to be painted with handprints and more! Here are some of the answers from your fellow Hatters, and look out for our Unity Sign that you’ll find on the second floor of the CUB across from the What Radio Station!

Wyatt Fergus Artist of the Week

Wyatt Fergus is the Artist of the Week! Wyatt sat down with us to talk about his writing! Be sure to watch it here!

Humans of Stetson Sydney Betancourt

This week’s Human of Stetson is Sydney Betancourt. Sydney is a senior International Studies major with a minor in French and Music Performance, playing the Alto Saxophone. Within her time at Stetson, Sydney has accumulated an extensive and highly impressive résumé of campus involvement and leadership roles. She is a member of Stetson University’s Concert Band and Saxophone ensemble, a sister of Sigma Alpha Iota, a former two-year Resident Assistant, a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, and is a WORLD Ambassador. Last spring, Sydney studied abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France, for a semester, and took French language classes at the University in Aix. While there, Sydney stayed in her own apartment and shares that she “was living next to a cathedral, which was absolutely gorgeous. Ate crepes every day. And it costs 30 cents to buy a baguette. So, it was great!” Like many other seniors, Sydney is looking forward to graduation. “Getting to the last semester of senior year, I thought I was gonna be nervous because, after this, it’s the real world. Something we haven’t experienced until now. But, I’m excited, I'm ready to graduate and start working. Hopefully, you know, start living life.” After graduation, Sydney intends on starting her career by getting a job in either government or public service, eventually, get a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, and hopes to work with the US State Department or the United Nations World Bank. #humansofstetson #stetsonworld #stetsonschoolofmusic #stetsonuniversity