Greensburg native, IUP alum helps establish scholarship for STEM students

A Greensburg native and graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania has helped establish a scholarship at her alma mater to assist military veterans working towards a degree in a STEM field.

University officials said retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral C.J. Jaynes made a donation that allowed the Indiana County school to create an endowed scholarship for undergraduates. Officials did not note the donation amount in an announcement.

Jaynes graduated from IUP in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and earned a master's in the same field three years later. She now lives in Maryland and was recognized as an IUP Distinguished Alumni in 2017.

STEM disciplines eligible for the scholarship are biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science and management information systems. Students who are children of veterans also are eligible.

The first award will be made in the upcoming academic year.

After finishing her master's degree, Jaynes joined the Navy and spent more than three decades working as an aeronautical engineering duty officer and acquisition professional.

She retired in 2016 and now is the executive technical advisor for Precision Navigation Systems for Raytheon. Jaynes lends her professional expertise to her alma mater by sharing her experiences with students.

"I traveled the world and visited many fascinating places, but my heart was always at IUP," she said in a statement. "I truly believe that my mathematics degrees from IUP established the foundation for my naval career and enabled my success in the aviation and engineering field."

She said he hopes the scholarship opportunity sets fellow veterans up for success.

In the fall 2023 semester, IUP admitted 841 veteran and military-affiliated students, increasing its population by 54% since the fall 2014 semester.