Edmunds scholars are not just great students. They exhibit leadership. They have integrity and character. They have a desire to be significant in their communities and to contribute to society.

Those traits and others symbolize the J. Ollie Edmunds Distinguished Scholarship Program. Now, through a generous endowment gift from the Novak family, that program will continue providing merit scholarships at Stetson University in perpetuity.

Jane Edmunds Novak, her husband Wayne and their family foundation, The Third Growth Foundation, have generously pledged to endow this scholarship named for Jane Novak’s father. Novak is the daughter of former Stetson President and Chancellor J. Ollie Edmunds and she has served as a Stetson trustee for 20 years.

The J. Ollie Edmunds Scholarship has been the capstone of the university’s scholarship program for 18 years and has graduated 46 Edmunds Scholars. The program has been funded by annual grants from Jane and Wayne Novak, and Jane’s brother, Dr. J. Ollie Edmunds Jr. The endowment, funded by Jane and Wayne Novak and a bequest from Wayne Novak’s aunt, alumna Lydia Pfund, means that the program now becomes a permanent part of the university scholarship programs.

“The scholarships given to students through this program have been transformative for so many,” said Jane Novak. “It is our sincere hope to inspire others in their desire to support students on a quest to be significant in their own lives and the lives of others.”

“It is through the generosity of the Novak family, that Stetson will be able to attract the highest caliber students for generations to come,” said Jeff Ulmer, vice president for Development and Alumni Engagement. “This endowment also makes it possible for others to support the Edmunds scholarship program.”

The Edmunds scholarship program, Stetson’s premier scholarship award, is a nationally competitive, merit-based program that attracts top student scholars with leadership potential. Edmunds Scholars are chosen based on a combination of their academic excellence, character and leadership.

“The Edmunds family’s historic legacy at Stetson continues through this wonderful gift by the Novak family,” said Stetson President Wendy B. Libby, Ph.D.

By Janie Graziani