Established by the Gualala Foundation to honor its founder, the late J. Ollie Edmunds, the purpose of the program is to attract students with superior intellectual creativity and brilliance to Stetson University. An advisory committee evaluates the program annually, and Stetson tracks the scholars after graduation to determine the program's effectiveness. A strong student program on campus, it is integrated into a mentoring program. A special enrichment program for the Scholars creates a camaraderie among them, fosters an awareness and identity between them and the Stetson faculty, and supports them intellectually and socially. Four J. Ollie Edmunds Distinguished Scholars are chosen each academic year.
Scholars keep their awards for four years, as long as they meet selection criteria.
Principals or headmasters at selected secondary schools, which consistently produce excellent students, are invited to nominate two candidates. Recommendations may be directed to the dean of admissions at Stetson University. In addition, candidates must demonstrate outstanding character and personal integrity, high motivation, and a clear potential to enrich the lives of their fellow Stetson students as role models in both academic and nonacademic achievements. Stetson's dean of admissions initially screens the candidates, with help from alumni in the field. Stetson's president, representatives of the Gualala Foundation, and the director of the J. Ollie Edmunds Distinguished Scholarship Program join the dean in making the final selections.