If you can dream it, you can do it - Stetson University

Stetson University's retiring
Gary Meadows receives
Distinquished Service Award
Gary Meadows says Stetson University has a
number of qualities that made him want to
begin and end his career here, but one
characteristic rises to the top-the caring
environment.
"It's a people-related institution," said the
former associate vice president for Alumni
Relations. "People are important."
For his dedication of more than 41 years
to Stetson, Meadows was honored with the
university's prestigious Distinguished Service
Award. Meadows, who retired from the
university at the end of February, received
the award at a Board of Trustees dinner.
"As associate vice president for Alumni
Relations, Gary made a strong contribution
to the success of the university's recently
completed $200 Million Campaign," said
Mark Whittaker, vice president for University
Relations. "Serving in this capacity, he
took Stetson's alumni program to an entirely
new level."
Meadows earned his bachelor's degree in
psychology in 1959 and began working as an
admissions counselor the next day. He
earned a master's degree in counseling from
Stetson five years later. During his 30-year
tenure in admissions, Meadows served as
assistant director, director and dean.
While in Admissions, Meadows helped
bring fine students to the university and
counseled them when making education
and career decisions. He saw some of those
same students give back to Stetson and
become re-involved in the university while
working in Alumni Relations.
"It's just been a wonderful experience
both ways," he said of his years in
Admissions and Alumni Relations. "I
wouldn't trade it for anything."
In addition to his duties in the Admissions
and Alumni offices, Meadows has been the
voice of the Hatters at various times at the
24
Members of the Meadows family join Gary
Meadows, center, at the dedication of the
Meadows Alumni House.
men's basketball games for 35 years.
Stetson also honored Meadows by
naming its Alumni House the Meadows
Alumni House March 30. Whittaker said
he, President Doug Lee and the Alumni
Board wanted to name the house for
Meadows because of his loyalty and
dedication to Stetson over many years. "He
is dearly loved by the alumni and the
Alumni Board, and this action will recognize
him in a timeless way," Whittaker said.
Meadows said the announcement took
him by surprise and that the honor exemplifies
the caring environment of the university.
"That was the last thing in the world that I
expected or anticipated ... What greater
compliment can you get?" he said.
Meadows plans to continue his involvement
with the university as an alumnus and
volunteer. "I'm definitely a member of the
extended Stetson family," he said. "It's been
a love affair. I really, truly love the place. It's
just home to me."
In retirement, Meadows hopes to spend
more time enjoying some of his hobbies,
which include singing, fishing and traveling.
Over the years, he has lent his deep bass
voice to the Stetson Choral Union and is on
the board of directors of the Bel Canto
singers. He also is a soloist in the choir at
First Baptist Church of DeLand and is
president of the DeLand Breakfast Rotary
Club.
Meadows has three grown children and
lives in DeBary with his wife, Gail Kadlec
Meadows.
Stetson University honors
DeLand couple with Doyle E.
Carlton Award
Harold and Rabel Moremen Parson of
DeLand, both Stetson University alumni,
received one of the university's highest
honors, the Doyle E. Carlton Award, during
a meeting of Stetson's Board of Trustees.
Named for former Florida governor and
Stetson alumnus and trustee, Doyle E.
Carlton, the award recognizes "extraordinary
contributions to the life and development
of Stetson University, the City of
DeLand, the state of Florida, and devotion
to Christian higher education," said Stetson
President Doug Lee.
"The Parsons' concern for others has
always guided them, and it is in the pattern
of their everyday living that they best
exemplify the spirit of this award," said Dr.
David B. Rinker, chairman of Stetson's
Board of Trustees, in honoring the couple.
DeLand residents since 1974, when
Harold Parson retired from a distinguished
22-year career as a special agent with the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Parsons
have strong ties to West Volusia. A DeLand
native who studied music as a child in
Stetson's piano department, Rabel Moremen
met the young Harold Parson, a Stetson
business administration student from Miami,
when both were singing in the First Baptist
Church choir.
World War II interrupted their education.
He served as a Navy pilot and flight
instructor; she became DeLand's first female
postal letter carrier in a program to replace
men at war. They married in 1945, and
returned to Stetson in 1946. They took turns
caring for their first child so both could
attend classes, and she taught music and
played the piano and organ for a variety of
groups. He graduated in 1948, and they
moved to Fort Pierce where he worked
briefly in the business world before joining
the FBI in 1952.
His FBI career took them to Philadelphia,
Washington, D.C., Miami and Fort Pierce,
and she served as a church organist and
choir director wherever they lived. She also
taught fifth grade in Fort Pierce, where she
was selected Teacher of the Year.
Rabel Parson returned to Stetson to finish
her music degree
after her husband
retired, and taught
music at Orange
City Elementary
School until her own
retirement in 1986.
Wanting to share her
students' talents, she
led them to produce
elaborate musicals
each year before
community groups.
She served for
several years as one
of the directors of
the annual county
The Parsons in
1948.
STETSON UNIVERSITY