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.

John Batterson Stetson
I will hew to the line though The chips fly in my face.
-Anonymous