Scholarships Gave USU Alum Milo Maughan the Freedom to Find His Calling
Milo Maughan credits donor-funded scholarships with giving him the freedom to discover his passion for teaching. Today, as Secondary Science Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education, he helps strengthen science education for students and educators across Utah.
When Milo Maughan arrived at Utah State University, he thought he already knew exactly where life was headed: he planned to become an electrical engineer.
But college has a way of introducing new possibilities, and as Milo immersed himself in campus life, he discovered that his greatest passion wasn’t designing technology — it was helping people understand it.
A student explores the principles of physics during Utah State University's annual Physics Day at Lagoon. The long-running outreach event gives thousands of middle and high school students the opportunity to experience science through hands-on learning and real-world application.
Looking back, he says donor-funded scholarships gave him the freedom to make that discovery.
“Those scholarships gave me the freedom to focus on school and figure out what I was really passionate about,” Milo said. “Without them, I would have needed a much more demanding job just to pay for college, and I don’t think I would have had the same opportunities.”
A recipient of both a Presidential Academic Scholarship and the Farrell and Ann Edwards Teaching Scholarship, Milo earned his bachelor’s degree in physics in 2011 before completing a Master of Education in secondary science education in 2013.
Established in 2009, the Farrell and Ann Edwards Scholarship Endowment recognizes undergraduate and graduate students pursuing physics teaching who demonstrate a commitment to education and research. Like all endowed scholarships, it was created to provide lasting support for future generations of students — ensuring that the same opportunities Milo received will continue to open doors for aspiring educators for years to come.
For Milo, that investment came at exactly the right time.
“The scholarships helped fill the gap after my Presidential Scholarship ended,” Milo said. “I was able to graduate with both my bachelor’s and master's degrees completely debt-free.”
More importantly, the scholarships gave him something money can’t buy: time.
Rather than working long hours to cover college expenses, Milo immersed himself in opportunities that transformed both his college experience and his future career. He served as a supplemental instructor, conducted undergraduate research, participated in Utah State’s Get Away Special team, became a College of Science ambassador, joined the Society of Physics Students, and remained active in the Institute of Religion’s show choir.
Milo also found one of his greatest passions through Utah State’s annual Physics Day at Lagoon.
What began as volunteering eventually grew into leading one of the university’s largest STEM outreach events, coordinating thousands of middle and high school students as they explored physics through hands-on learning.
“Those experiences taught me leadership, communication, and how to teach in ways that really connect with students,” Milo said. “The scholarships gave me the time and space to develop those skills instead of worrying about how I was going to pay my bills.”
It was while working as a supplemental instructor that Milo realized his future was shifting.
“I found that I really enjoyed teaching,” Milo said. “Helping students work through difficult concepts and seeing that moment when everything clicks — that was incredibly rewarding.”
As he explored his options, Utah State launched a graduate route to teacher licensure in science education. The opportunity to earn both a teaching license and a master’s degree confirmed Milo had found his calling.
“I realized education was where I belonged,” Milo said. “The scholarships gave me the freedom to choose my passion instead of feeling pressured to choose a different path simply because of finances.”
After graduation, Milo spent more than a decade teaching physics and astronomy in Utah public schools, inspiring students to see science not as a collection of formulas, but as a way to better understand the world around them.
Throughout those years, he also continued to give back to Utah State by volunteering at Physics Day, helping create the same inspiring experience for future students as the one that once inspired him.
Today, Milo’s influence extends even farther.
As the secondary science specialist for the Utah State Board of Education, he supports science educators across Utah, helping strengthen instruction for thousands of students statewide.
“The leadership experiences I had at Utah State are things I still use every day,” Milo said. “I don’t think I would be where I am today without those opportunities.”
For Milo, the impact of donor generosity reaches well beyond a single scholarship recipient.
“It’s hard to measure because so much of the impact happens behind the scenes,” Milo said. “Scholarships provided financial stability, but they also gave me time to grow as a leader, participate in experiences that changed my life, and ultimately discover the career I was meant to pursue.”
He believes that is the lasting power of endowed scholarships.
“I can't thank them enough,” Milo said about the donors who supported his scholarship. “Without that help, my life would have looked very different. Donors gave me the opportunity to pursue what I loved instead of simply pursuing what would help me make ends meet. That investment continues to impact every educator and student I have the opportunity to serve.”
The Farrell and Ann Edwards Scholarship Endowment continues to support future physics educators just as it supported Milo more than a decade ago. Its impact stretches far beyond the students who receive it, reaching the classrooms, schools, and communities they will serve throughout their careers.
For Milo, that ripple effect is the true legacy of philanthropy.
One scholarship gave Milo the freedom to discover his purpose. Today, that investment continues creating opportunities for thousands of students across Utah through the educators and leaders he helps support.
Scholarships do more than make college affordable; they give students the freedom to discover their passions, develop leadership skills, and pursue careers that change lives. Endowed scholarships ensure those opportunities continue for generations of Aggies to come.
Contact
Justin Barton
Senior Development Director
435-797-4473
justin.barton@usu.edu