J. Ollie Edmunds Distinguished Scholarship

Do you consider yourself a top scholar with leadership potential?

The J. Ollie Edmunds Distinguished Scholarship program is a prestigious, nationally competitive award that seeks high-achieving student scholars like you, with a proven track record of academic excellence and leadership from around the world.

This scholarship covers your expenses for four years at Stetson University if you demonstrate not only academic brilliance but also exceptional personal leadership. To be an Edmunds Scholar, you must exhibit strong character and integrity, along with the potential to become an outstanding leader. Intellectual excellence alone isn't enough for selection - your leadership qualities are key.

First Year Student 
Scholarships

1

2024-25 Average
Scholarship Award

$70,000

As an Edmunds Laureate, you'll be chosen for your commitment to education, intellectual curiosity, global and community engagement, and your ability to lead, coach, and mentor others. Successful candidates are actively involved in co-curricular activities, athletics or fitness, and demonstrate discipline, integrity, character, strong communication skills, creativity, and the potential to be a well-rounded leader and contributor to the Stetson University community.

J. Ollie EdmundsJ. Ollie Edmunds was associated with Stetson University for 60 years, from 1921 when he enrolled as an undergraduate student until the day he retired as chancellor. He served Stetson for more than 50 years in the capacities of trustee, president and chancellor. As a student, he worked his way through Stetson and remained active in campus organizations. He was president of his sophomore and senior classes, president of the campus YMCA, a member of the debate team, Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, Glee Club and the Torch and Scroll honorary society. He often took leading roles in campus plays at Stover Theatre, including Shakespearean productions. He was editor of the yearbook and business manager of the student newspaper. He received a bachelor's degree in 1925, a master's degree in 1927 and a law degree in 1928, all from Stetson University. In 1943, his alma mater presented him with the honorary degree, Doctor of Laws.

Dr. Edmunds was elected to Stetson University's Board of Trustees in 1934, helped organize Stetson's National Alumni Association and served three terms as its president. He was a judge in Duval County in Jacksonville. In 1947, he left his probate law practice to become Stetson University's fourth president. His 19-year tenure as president rejuvenated the university. He hired new faculty, raised academic standards, enlarged the campus from 33 to 80 acres, raised $18.4 million and built 16 new buildings. A national leader in higher education, he served as president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities. Beloved by faculty and students, President Edmunds was highly respected on campus, in the state and across the country.

The J. Ollie Edmunds Distinguished Scholarship Program at Stetson University seeks students who demonstrate a balance of the following qualities:

Superior intellect and academic achievement, as measured by academic record and standardized testing.

  • A high school GPA of 3.5 or above

Outstanding leadership potential as measured by leadership roles in high school or the community.

  • This may include leadership roles in academic, athletic, religious, scientific, military, social, civic, or service organizations in high school or the community
  • Stetson seeks students with proven leadership potential who may be future Stetson student body presidents, as well as members of Omicron Delta Kappa, Mortar Board and Phi Beta Kappa

Discipline and physical wellness gained by participation in athletics or fitness activities.

  • Although some applicants have actively participated in varsity sports, this is not required. Applicants who participate in aerobics, dance, or other fitness programs that create physical wellness meet this characteristic

Character, integrity and self-motivation.
Outstanding personality and communication skills, both verbal and written.

Active participation in campus and community activities and personal achievement in co-curricular activities.

  • Stetson seeks creative and imaginative students
Creativity and imagination as demonstrated by participation in fine arts, music, acting, theater, dance, writing, poetry, debate or scientific investigation.

Applying for the Scholarship Program

To access the J. Ollie Edmunds Scholarship Program application, you must first apply to Stetson University and then an option to apply for the program will appear within your Hatter Portal.

All documents should be received by the Office of Admissions by December 20.

HATTER PORTAL

Current J. Ollie Edmunds Scholars

J. Ollie Edmunds Scholarship recipients at Stetson University.

Edmunds Scholar, Adrian Vargas

Adrian Vargas

Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology

Professional Track: Pre-Medical

Campus Involvement

  • Sigma Nu Fraternity, Scholarship Chair
  • Honors Program
  • Focus Leader

Edmunds Scholar, Natalie McCoy

Natalie McCoy

Hometown: Winter Park, Florida

High School: Circle Christian School

Major: English

Minors: Philosophy; Music

Campus Involvement

  • Honors Program, Student
  • Stetson University, Musician for Hatter Saturday
  • Stetson University English Department, Teaching Apprentice
  • Student Media Publication Board, Staff Representative
  • Hatter Network, Web Editor
  • Touchstone Literary and Arts Journal; Staff Member, Published Poet
  • The Reporter, Staff Writer
  • Stetson Chorale; Choral Festival and Candlelight Performer, Soloist
  • Stetson University School of Music, Musical Theater Cabaret Soloist

Community Involvement

  • CJNR Productions, LLC; Co-founder, Managing Member, Independent Contractor (Singer-songwriter, Recording Artist/Musician, Performer; music released on Spotify, Apple Music, and all other major music streaming platforms)
  • Lifeway’s CentriKid and FUGE Camps, Worship Leader
  • City Awakening Church, Worship Leader
  • Client Relations Intern, Wilson McCoy P.A.
  • Orange Students reThink Group Inc, Devotional Writer on the Bible App
  • Local Novelist, Beta Reader

Awards and Honors

  • 2025 Hatter Network Future Pulitzer Prize Winner
  • 2025 Southeastern Regional National Association of Teachers of Singing; Second Place Winner Commercial Music, Third Place Winner Musical Theatre, Third Place Winner Classical

Edmunds Scholar, Sara Ward

Sara Ward

Major: Communication and Media Studies

Minors: Journalism; Human Resource Management

Campus Involvement

  • Honors Program
  • Hatter Network, Editor in Chief
  • Publication Board, Editor in Chief
  • FOCUS Assistant Coordinator
  • The West Volusia Beacon, Intern
  • Lambda Pi Eta, Vice President (Communication Association Honor Society)
  • Omicron Delta Kappa
  • Alpha Alpha Alpha (First Generation Honor Society)
  • Business Ethics Case Competition Team Member

Community Involvement

  • Journey Church Production Team
  • Starbucks Partner

Awards and Honors

  • 2025 recipient of the Josephine Field Davidson Award
  • Student Press Law Center Inaugural Student Press Freedom Award
  • News For You By You: The West Volusia Beacon Inaugural Journalism Competition; 3rd Place College Division
  • Hatter Network Writer of the Year 2023-2024

Edmunds Scholar, Temiloluwa Adedijid

Temiloluwa Adediji

Major: English and Political Science

Minors: Africana Studies

Professional Track: Pre-Law

Campus Involvement

  • Phi Alpha Delta (Pre-Law Fraternity)
  • Sigma Tau Delta (English Honors Society)
  • Black Law Students Association (Co-President)
  • Mock Trial Team, Captain
  • Honors Program
  • Research Apprentice for Department Chair of Africana Studies

Community Involvement

  • Volusia County Boys and Girls Club Mentor
  • Legal Internships at Kuehne Davis Law, P.A. In Miami and Landis, Graham, and French in DeLand

Edmunds Scholar, Wyatt Hammerle

Wyatt Hammerle

Major: History

Minor: International Studies

Pre-Professional Program: Pre-Law

Campus Involvement

  • Model United Nations
  • Research Apprentice, Professor Eric Kurlander, History Department

Community Involvement

  • Presented at the Phi Alpha Theta Biennial Convention
  • Raises alpacas; runs his own alpaca fiber production operation

Edmunds Scholar, Sarah Tunnell

Sarah Tunnell

Major: Biology

Minor: Psychology

Professional Track: Pre-Medical

Campus Involvement

  • Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, President
  • Club Volleyball, Vice President
  • Honors Program
  • Omicron Delta Kappa, VP of Leadership Development and External Events
  • Rho Lambda National Sorority Leadership Society - Treasurer
  • Order of Omega Leadership Honors Society - Treasurer
  • Tri-Beta Biology Honor Society
  • Stetson University Athletics Department Tutor
  • FOCUS Orientation Leader
  • EMS Club

Edmunds Scholar, Bella Grace Parker

Bella Grace Parker

Hometown: Newnan, Georgia

High School: Newnan High School

Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology

Minors: Health Sciences; Community Engagement

Campus Involvement

  • Honors Program
  • Bonner Program
  • Honor System Council
  • Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Health Honor Society, Co-President
  • Student Peer Instructor (SPI), Biology
  • NSF S-STEM Scholar Peer Mentor
  • Tri Beta Biology Honor Society
  • Tri Delta Sorority

Community Involvement

  • Lacey Family/Spring Hill Boys and Girls Club
  • River2SeaLoop 

Edmunds Scholar, Sugeeth Sathish

Sugeeth Sathish

Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin

High School: James Madison Memorial High School

Majors: Economics (Business); Accounting

Minor: Applied Statistics

Campus Involvement

  • Honors Program
  • Chief Investment Officer of the Roland George Investment Program
  • Environmental Fellow
  • Finance Tutor