Recipients of the prestigious J. Ollie Edmunds Scholarship — Stetson’s pinnacle award for two incoming first-year students — vividly recall the moment they learned of their honor in minute detail.

Senior Sugeeth Sathish was overcome with gratitude and excitement. Senior Bella Parker and her family anxiously went to eat ice cream at the place where her sister worked and then cried tears of joy as the call came during this outing. Sophomore Temiloluwa Adediji was simultaneously excited and scared but didn’t let fear hold him back as he took the call at church, tightly hugged by his parents. Sophomore Sara Ward and her mom fell to the floor, weeping in happiness.

About J. Ollie Edmunds

J. Ollie Edmunds was highly respected on campus and was beloved by faculty and students. He served Stetson for more than 50 years in the capacities of trustee, president and chancellor. 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.

As a student, 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. Edmunds was elected to Stetson’s Board of Trustees in 1934, helped organize Stetson’s National Alumni Association and served three terms as its president.

Edmunds was a judge in Duval County in Jacksonville. In 1947, he left his probate law practice to become Stetson’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.

The Scholarship

The J. Ollie Edmunds Scholarship is a full ride scholarship that covers student expenses for all four years of college at Stetson. The competition to be selected is fierce.

“I hadn’t thought I would be chosen because all the other finalists were so amazing,” Ward said. “But being selected gave me a sense of confidence and validation I had never felt before. It was truly life changing. In that moment, it felt like all the hard work I had put into high school was finally paying off.”

That hard work doesn’t stop once at Stetson. In fact, it’s more like jet fuel for J. Ollie Edmund Scholars. Earning this designation propels them even further into greatness.

Bella Parker ’25

Take Parker for example.

Becoming a J. Ollie Edmunds Scholar has been one of the most transformative experiences of her life, shaping both her academic journey and her personal growth.

“With the support of this scholarship, I’ve been able to immerse myself in rigorous scientific research and meaningful community engagement, all while discovering new ways to connect with and inspire others,” explained the native of Newnan, Georgia. “Research has been the cornerstone of my time at Stetson. I’ve explored diverse topics, from unraveling the complexities of protein expression in yeast to investigating the regenerative capacity of cardiac cells in sea squirts.

“These efforts have culminated in presenting my findings at national conferences and being authored in a research paper published in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology,” she added.

Parker’s experiences recently were further enriched by summer research programs at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Emory University Laney Graduate School, where she investigated mitochondrial dysfunction and antibiotic resistance in gram-negative bacteria, respectively.

“These opportunities challenged me to think critically, collaborate with experts across disciplines and embrace the thrill of scientific discovery,” said Parker, who is majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology with minors in Health Sciences and Community Engagement.

Parker plans to attend medical school next year with the application process underway.

Sugeeth Sathish ’25

Sathish, a native of Madison, Wisconsin, said that being a J. Ollie Edmunds Scholar has been the most impactful part of his college experience. He noted that it helped him land an extremely prestigious job at Goldman Sachs upon graduation this spring.

“It has not only provided financial support but also a group of peers and mentors I consider family,” he said. “This scholarship has given me the confidence to take risks, step into leadership roles and pursue my dreams. Since starting at Stetson, this recognition has empowered me to achieve more than I ever thought possible.”

 On campus, Sathish has taken on leadership roles, including Chief Investment Officer for the Roland George Investments Program — a student-managed fund that manages over $7 million. Off campus, this scholarship gave him the confidence to secure competitive internships, including one as an Investment Banking summer analyst at Goldman Sachs, which later transitioned into a full-time position upon graduation.

“Beyond academics and career milestones, being a J. Ollie Edmunds Scholar has allowed me to give back to the Stetson Community and beyond, participating in service projects and mentoring others who hope to follow similar paths,” he said.

Sara Ward ’27

Although Ward is two years younger than Sathish, she has similar sentiments.

“Being a J. Ollie Edmunds Scholar has given me access to opportunities and connections that have shaped my experience at Stetson in ways I’ll always value,” said the Longwood, native.

During her time at Stetson so far, she’s been able to take on a variety of both on and off campus opportunities. She noted that experiences within two roles in particular have been especially meaningful: The Reporter and FOCUS Orientation.

“After just two semesters as a staff writer, I became the executive editor of The Reporter, where I contribute to continuing the legacy of Florida’s oldest collegiate magazine,” she said. “FOCUS Orientation also has been a significant part of my journey, as I recently was promoted to assistant coordinator. I love helping new Stetson students feel at home on campus.

“I especially cherish my role during summer orientation, where I have the privilege of shaping new students’ first impressions of Stetson,” added Ward, who is majoring in Communication and Media Studies with minors in Journalism and HR Management. “I’m passionate about helping them grow their confidence while sharing the excitement of the Hatter spirit”

Temiloluwa Adediji ’27

Adediji, who hails from Edgewood, Maryland, and also is a sophomore J. Ollie Edmunds Laureate, made note of the strong relationships made as a result of the scholarship designation.

He explained that with the guidance of Washington Garcia, DMA, Dean of the School of Music, he had the privilege of working alongside talented attorneys at a prestigious law firm in Downtown Miami.

With the mentorship of Professor Sven Smith, he fully immersed himself in the Pre-Law program, becoming a successful Mock Trial competitor and joining Phi Alpha Delta’s Society of Scholars.

“These are just a few of the amazing opportunities I’ve had, all made possible by the mentors and connections I’ve gained as a J. Ollie Edmunds Scholar,” Adediji said.

But looking at the big picture, Temi noted that his life truly changed for the better the day he became a J. Ollie Edmunds Scholar.

“That day, I gained something more valuable than a scholarship – something more permanent than four years, I gained a family,” said Adediji, who is majoring in Political Science. “It has given me the opportunity to build lifelong relationships with extraordinary people who pour into me with mentorship and encouragement. This support has helped me grow in every aspect of my life – academically, personally, and professionally – and has empowered me to chase my dreams without hesitation.

“Looking back, I can confidently say that being a J. Ollie Edmunds Scholar at Stetson has transformed my journey,” he added. “It’s no longer just about academics; it’s about actualization and becoming the person I am meant to be.”

– Trish Wieland