IUPUI freshman Emiley Brettnacher always dreamed of going to college, but the long list of costs that came with it often made her dream feel unattainable. That changed when she received the Stan Jones Memorial 21st Century Scholars Scholarship, an award that supports 21st Century Scholars.
The legacy of Stan Jones
The Stan Jones Memorial Scholarship relieved some of the financial stress that comes with college. This enabled me to focus primarily on my studies, and of course, attend the college of my dreams.
Emiley Brettnacher, 21st Century Scholar
The Stan Jones Memorial 21st Century Scholars Scholarship endowment was created in honor of Stan Jones (1949–2017), an American visionary who shaped the higher education landscape across Indiana. As a former state legislator and Indiana commissioner for higher education, Jones sought to make college accessible and affordable to Hoosiers. He led the development of the 21st Century Scholars program, an early promise scholarship aimed at increasing the number of low-income students attending and completing a postsecondary education.
Jones subsequently founded Complete College America, a nonprofit that works to close the achievement gaps and boost graduation rates among Hoosier students.
Jones believed that any student in Indiana who wants to go to college should not have barriers to their dream, such as paying tuition. He also believed that change at the margins will only produce marginal change, and he made a significant difference for the betterment of Indiana and our country, as several other states have since developed programs similar to our 21st Century Scholars program.
Support Stan's legacy at IUPUI
Karen Jones, wife of Stan Jones and senior director of alumni programs at the Office of Alumni Relations, founded the Stan Jones Memorial 21st Century Scholars Scholarship endowment with the help of family and friends. The goal of this endowed scholarship is to continue Jones's legacy of public service by supporting students from underserved backgrounds as they achieve their dreams at IUPUI.
The Jones family invites you to join in supporting IUPUI students like Emiley through the Stan Jones Memorial 21st Century Scholars Scholarship endowment. Please use the link below to make a charitable gift in support of deserving 21st Century Scholars at IUPUI as a tribute to the legacy of Stan Jones.