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 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
Active participation in campus and community activities and personal achievement in co-curricular activities.
- Stetson seeks creative and imaginative students
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.
Current J. Ollie Edmunds Scholars
Adrian Vargas
Hometown: Port St. Lucie, Florida
High School: Tradition Preparatory High School
Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology
Minor: Theatre
High School Involvement
- Representative Student Government - Senior/Junior 2023-2024
- President of Students for Change - Senior/Junior/Sophomore 2022-2024
- Participated as the Lead for the school musical "Grease" - Spring Semester/Senior 2024
- Participated as the Lead for the school musical "Little Shop of Horrors" - Spring Semester/Senior 2024
- Participated as Lead for the school musical "Tick Tick…Boom" - Fall Semester/ Senior 2024
- John Hopkins University Summer High School Program "Advanced Medical Program" partnered through Envision - Summer Junior Year 2023
- Attended the National Academy of Future Physicians in Boston Massachusetts, - Summer Junior year 2023
- Participated as Lead for the school musical ‘In the Heights’ - Spring Semester/Junior 2023
- High School Baseball Team - Pitcher/ Outfielder - Spring Semester/ Junior and Sophomore Years 2023 - 2022
- High School Ambassador - Assisted in High School guided tours, Welcome Greeter for events, and collaborated with teachers and admin to create curriculum-based folders. Junior and Sophomore 2023 - 2022
- Vice President of Student Government - Sophomore year 2022
- Participated in Glee and Choir - Sophomore year 2022
- Participated as Lead for the school musical "Footloose" - Spring Semester/Sophomore 2022
- Cleveland Clinic "Shadowing Student Program" - Completion of 20 hours - Junior Year 2023
- Summer Research Internship Florida International University (FIU) Center for Translation Science - Summer 2022
Community Involvement
- Organized and Implemented buddy walks throughout the year during the holidays at the Assisted Living Home called the Brednity. Senior, Junior, and Sophomore years. 2022-2024
- Participated in the theater crew design team that created and constricted theater background sets and a 150-box seating area. Senior, Junior, and Sophomore years. 20224-2024
- Helped organize school social dances in Senior, Junior, and Sophomore years. 2022-2024
- In charge of Snack Cart Fundraiser Junior and Sophomore year. 2022-2023
- Coordinated and organized the distribution of gifts at a local church called Christ Fellowship to children of incarcerated parents. Sophomore Year. 2022
Awards and Honors
- National Honor Society - (10-12th Grade)
- National Honor Society for High School Scholars - (9-12th Grade)
- Academic A and B Honor Roll - (10-12th Grade)
- National Academy of Future of Physician Certificate - (11th Grade)
- Certificate of Achievement from Envision by WorldStrides - (11th Grade)
- Certificate in Immersion in Medicine Program 40 hours- (11th Grade)
- Certificate in Basic Life Saving (BLS) Techniques Course - (11th Grade)
- Certificate in Control Bleeding Course - (11th Grade)
- Academic Student Pirate of the Year - (10th Grade)
Natalie McCoy
Hometown: Winter Park, Florida
High School: Circle Christian School
Major: English
Minors: Philosophy; Music
High School Involvement
- Lead Performer and Vocal Section Leader for Circle Theatre Company
- Vocalist and Worship Leader for school-wide student-led worship events
- Track and Field Varsity Letterman; competed in long jump, 100-meter hurdles, 100-meter, 200-meter, and 4x100-meter relay
- Student Editor for school-wide newsletter, yearbook, and teacher presentations
- Set and Prop Designer for Circle Theatre Company
- Guest Student Educator and Backstage Assistant for Circle Theatre Kids
Professional Development and Work Experience
- Co-Founder and Managing Member of CJNR Productions, LLC
- Songwriter, Lyricist, Vocalist, Instrumentalist, and Producer for CJNR Productions, LLC’s recording artist, "Colin James and Natalie Reese"
- Contracted Content Provider for Google, LLC
- Recording Artist for Chuck Swindoll’s "Insight for Living Radio Broadcast: Paws & Tales" children's ministry series
- Recording Artist for Sockeye Media, LLC’s “Mother Goose Club” children's educational series
Volunteer Experience
- Student Devotional Writer for Orange Students ReThink Group Inc.’s middle and high school curriculum featured on the "Bible App"
- Author, Poet, Devotional Writer, Photographer, and Illustrator for "The GM," a quarterly publication
- Visiting Musical Artist at Alliance Community Retirement Home
- Vocalist and Worship Leader at City Awakening Church
- Vocalist and Worship Leader for the youth group at Journey Church
Awards and Honors
- Three-year High School Graduate and Honors Diploma Recipient
- Outstanding Academic Achievement – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program
- Outstanding Lead Performer Award, Honourable Mention, as Linda Mason in "Holiday Inn" - Dr. Phillips Centre Applause Awards
- Outstanding Lead Performer Award, as Virginia in "Yes, Virginia" - Circle Theatre Company
- Mighty in Spirit Athletic Award – Circle Christian School Track & Field
Sara Ward
Hometown: Longwood, Florida
High School: Lyman High School
Major: Communication and Media Studies
Minors: Journalism; HR Management
Campus Involvement
- Honors Program
- The Reporter, Executive Editor
- Alpha Chi Omega, Secretary/CRSB at Large
- Omicron Delta Kappa
- Alpha Alpha Alpha First Generation Honor Society
- FOCUS Leader
Community Involvement
- Domestic Abuse Council
- Starbucks Partner
Awards and Honors
- 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
Temiloluwa Adediji
Hometown: Edgewood, Maryland
High School: Edgewood High School
Major: Political Science
Campus Involvement
- Phi Alpha Delta (Pre-Law Fraternity)
- Black Student Union
- Opening and Closing Attorney - Mock Trial
- Online Student Ambassador
- Honors Program
Community Involvement
- Black Homeschoolers of Central Florida
Summer 2024
- Legal Internship at Kuehne Davis Law, P.A.
- Registered Behavioral Technician Certification
Wyatt Hammerle
Hometown: Lake Helen, FL
High School: DeLand High School
Major: History
Minor: International Studies
Pre-Professional Program: Pre-Law
Campus Involvement
- President of Club Aikido
- Model United Nations
- Will be Vice President of the new Super Smash Bros Club (SSUB Club)
- Assisted with the Students v Staff softball game with the Club Sports department
Community Involvement
- Raises alpacas; runs his own alpaca fiber production operation
Summer 2024
- Studied abroad in a course about the English historical landscape
Sarah Tunnell
Hometown: Rome, Georgia
High School: Darlington School
Major: Biology
Campus Involvement:
- Zeta Tau Alpha - Vice President and Director of Programming
- Club Volleyball - Director of Operations
- Honors Program
- Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Fraternity
- Rho Lambda National Sorority Leadership Society
- Order of Omega Leadership Honors Society - Treasurer
- Stetson University Athletics Department Tutor
- FOCUS Orientation Leader
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
Summer 2024
- Accepted to Emory University's SURE program where I conducted immunology research on antibiotic resistance in gram negative bacteria
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
Summer 2024
- Investment Banking Summer Analyst at Goldman Sachs