CU-Bloomsburg alumnus donates $3.5M through future gift to scholarships and student opportunities

Following more than 30 years of consistent contributions to his alma mater, Joshua Payne, a 1989 graduate of Bloomsburg University, now Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg, has recently made a gift of $3.5 million to advance scholarships and student success.

This endowment, through a bequest in his will, will go directly toward scholarships and Professional Experience Grants (PEGs) for students in the College of Health, Science and Technology at Commonwealth University, and is one more example of Payne's dedication to the Bloomsburg community.

"We are profoundly grateful to Josh, whose remarkable generosity as an alumnus will have a transformative impact on the lives of our students," said Dr. Bashar W. Hanna, CU president. "Josh's unwavering commitment to Bloomsburg highlights the enduring connection between our alumni and their alma mater - through scholarships and PEGs, his gift will not only ease financial burdens, but provide students with more opportunities to grow, innovate and lead."

Payne graduated with a bachelor's in computer science from Bloomsburg. As a student, he was heavily involved in the arts and humanities through his participation in the campus choir, marching band, and the national band fraternity Tau Beta Sigma. After graduation, he moved to Houston, Texas, to pursue a master's degree in computer science.

Payne's generosity was inspired in part by the lasting influence of the late Dr. Edward Kerlin and Dr. Paul Hartung, two beloved professors who heavily impacted Payne's undergraduate experience. "Bloomsburg shaped who I am, and this is my way of giving back in a meaningful way," Payne said. "It's about more than scholarships - it's about creating opportunities for students to gain the confidence and skills they need to succeed."

Since 1991, Payne has made a substantial amount of contributions to Bloomsburg students. In 2019, he created the Payne-Lyons Scholarship to support LGBTQA students in the College of Health, Science, and Technology.

"Josh's vision for our students reflects the importance of real-world experience in academic learning," said Dr. Latha Ramakrishnan, dean of the College of Health, Science and Technology. "This gift will allow more students to pursue research, internships and projects that not only advance the fields of science, health and technology but prepare them for their future careers."

After 17 years at Nike and a senior management position at Wayfair, Payne retired in 2022, and not only began dedicating more financial resources to Bloomsburg, but started making efforts to get involved on campus.

Payne, whose brother and nephew also graduated from Bloomsburg, said he wanted to give in a more meaningful way and go beyond just the scholarship opportunities that Bloomsburg offers.

"The decline in state funding has been tough to watch because it raises the cost of a degree and makes it harder for students to succeed," Payne said. "But I believe the most valuable resource I can offer isn't just money - it's my time. As an alum, I know that sharing my wisdom and experience can make a real difference for students as they finish their degrees and step into the workforce. Genuine, authentic conversations can boost their confidence and help set them on the right path."

Payne is currently working on mentorship opportunities to give students confidence, professional experience, a competitive edge and a smoother transition from college to career and he continues to invest his time and expertise in supporting students as they transition from college to their careers.

His dedication exemplifies the spirit of "The Campaign for Bloomsburg: It Starts With Us," Bloomsburg's $100 million comprehensive campaign, which aims to attract, prepare and elevate students for success. With this latest gift, Payne has helped bring the university's campaign total to $83,051,953 and closer to the university's ambitious goal.

For more information on "The Campaign for Bloomsburg: It Starts With Us" and how you can contribute, visit giving.bloomu.edu/ItStartsWithUs.