Stetson University is a private institution located in Central Florida, along the I–4 corridor. Established in 1883 as DeLand Academy, it was later renamed John B. Stetson University in honor of a generous donor. The university's main campus in DeLand spans 1…Stetson University is a private institution located in Central Florida, along the I–4 corridor. Established in 1883 as DeLand Academy, it was later renamed John B. Stetson University in honor of a generous donor. The university's main campus in DeLand spans 175 acres and boasts Florida's oldest collection of education-related buildings, including DeLand Hall, the state's longest-standing building used for higher education.