Joshua Payne ’89 Donates $3.5 Million Through Future Gift to Scholarships and Student Opportunities

Longtime Supporter Advances Scholarships and Student Success

Following more than 30 years of consistent contributions to Bloomsburg, Joshua Payne ’89 has recently made an extraordinary gift of $3.5 million to advance scholarships and student success. This generous endowment will go directly towards Scholarships and Professional Experience Grants (PEGs) for students in the College of Health, Science, and Technology, 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 Commonwealth University (CU) President Bashar Hanna. “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 from Bloomsburg University in 1989 with a bachelor’s in computer science. 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 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.

Payne lives on the West Coast and has spent a significant amount of time in Europe, but through the years, his dedication to Bloomsburg has only grown, beginning with periodic donations to scholarships in the College of Health, Science, and Technology, and culminating with an incredibly generous $3.5 million endowment through a bequest in his will.

“Josh’s vision for our students reflects the importance of real-world experience in academic learning,” said CU Dean of the College of Health, Science, and Technology, Latha Ramakrishnan, Ph.D. “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. When asked about his continual support of the university, he mentioned things like the campus and the downtown, as well as his brother and nephew both graduating from Bloomsburg, but when asked about his most recent gift, he shared that 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,” added Payne. “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.”

Currently, Payne is working on mentorship opportunities to give students confidence, professional experience, a competitive edge, and a smoother transition from college to career. He continues to invest his time and expertise in supporting students as they transition from college to their careers. His legacy of generosity and involvement will inspire generations to come.

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—bringing Bloomsburg closer to its ambitious goal.

For more information on The Campaign for Bloomsburg: It Starts With Us and how you can contribute, visit https://giving.bloomu.edu/the-campaign-for-bloomsburg-it-starts-with-us.