Auburn alumnus honors sister through scholarship

Inspired by his sister, an Auburn University alumnus has established a scholarship to benefit students studying the sciences and mathematics.

Jesse Duane May of Huntsville, a 1985 electrical engineering graduate, created the Jayna May Gillespie Endowed Academic Scholarship through a gift of $26,000. May said the scholarship honors his sister, a 1993 Auburn graduate, who, despite being faced with medical ailments, has proven "resilient, optimistic and truly inspirational."

Diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm, Gillespie, also a Huntsville resident, has undergone five operations to finally correct the disorder.

"Throughout all of her medical problems, Jayna has maintained a positive attitude and a love for life that touches all those that come in contact with her," May said. "Her courage, commitment and dedication to life are a true testament of the Auburn Spirit."

May said he wanted to provide Gillespie with a gift to honor her love for life and her love for Auburn.

"We hope to bring some good, strong doctors to the medical field through the scholarship," Gillespie said, adding that she and her brother are very close.

"We both share a deep love for Auburn," she said. "He is the best brother in the world."

May is president of Chandler/May, Inc., a company focuses on system integration and software development for Department of Defense applications, including programs that are being used by the Army in Iraq.

Gillespie, who graduated from AU with a degree in nutrition and food science, is married to Woody Gillespie, also a 1993 Auburn graduate. A registered dietician, she currently stays at home with their four-year-old daughter May Merrill Gillespie.

"We feel privileged that Jesse chose to honor Jayna in this manner," said Bob McGinnis, AU's vice president for development. "With this scholarship, he has created a legacy that will benefit many Auburn students in her name."

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be enrolled in AU's College of Sciences and Mathematics and be focused on a pre-health curriculum. Incoming and first-year students must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and have scored a 29 on the ACT. Currently enrolled students must have maintained a 3.5 GPA or higher. Preference will be given to students from the Madison County area.

"The College of Sciences and Mathematics is pleased to have this scholarship to offer to one of the many outstanding students who come to Auburn from Madison County," Lawrence Wit, COSAM's associate dean for academic affairs, said.

The first scholarship will be awarded this fall. Recipients will be known as the Jayna May Gillespie Scholars.

Students interested in applying for the scholarship should complete the application online at www.auburn.edu/cosam/scholar.html