A Legacy of Discovery
Jill and Paul Heydron invest in the next generation of scientists
By Michele Graaff
In both science and in life, it’s often the simplest answer that ends up being the right answer—a moment when complexity gives way to possibility. For many university students, moving beyond obstacles or uncertainty often comes from hearing one, well-timed “yes.” In that single, seemingly small word, futures can begin.
For Jill (’89) and Paul (’92) Heydron, longtime Central Washington University supporters and alumni, the door of possibility opened in 1987, after becoming friends in the dorm. Jill eventually said yes to a first date, neither of them knowing it would lead to a lifelong partnership together. And each stayed open to change when it came time to reevaluate their respective degree pathways. That spirit became a guiding principle for the Heydrons—one that now extends well beyond their own time at CWU.
Through an estate gift, Jill and Paul are securing the future of science education at Central, extending a commitment they began years ago through the Heydron‑Ulness Endowed Physics Scholarship, for students majoring in physics. Both gifts invest in aspiring Wildcat scientists by providing tuition funding, advancing hands-on learning, strengthening facilities and equipment, and providing the flexibility to meet the evolving needs of the College of the Sciences. As donors, the Heydrons believe in expanding access to opportunity, creating a way for more students to hear the “yes” they need to step into their futures.
Paul (’92) and Jill (’89) Heydron in Chicago.
Pivots to Possibility
For Paul, it was the CWU Office of Admissions that created a path around unexpected hurdles. When financial paperwork for an East Coast university fell through and most college applications cycles were closed, his options narrowed. Paul decided to try CWU anyway, and, despite the calendar deadline, the admissions team agreed to look at his transcript. Their response would change his life.
“They told me, ‘We don’t get applications like this very often,” Paul remembered. “‘We’ll figure this out.’ And they did.”
Paul enrolled in the 3+2 program in the College of the Sciences, a dual-degree pathway that allowed him to complete three years of physics coursework at CWU before finishing two years of engineering at the University of Washington. It was a rigorous route, one that demanded focus, flexibility, and persistence.
The 3+2 program was just the beginning for Paul, sparking the creative and analytical mindset that would later define his career. Initially, his engineering degree earned him a position at Fluke Corporation, a manufacturer of precision electronic and diagnostic equipment. Over time, he found himself in a position to lead innovation as the company worked on the development of new measurement science.
“That’s where the physics degree came into play,” explained Paul. It wasn’t just about engineering. It was understanding how things actually work to find more effective solutions.
Meanwhile, Jill’s Central journey took a different, but equally transformative, path. She arrived on campus enrolled as a communications major, focused on journalism. Late in her junior year, she questioned her goals.
“I’d been writing for newspapers since I was in high school,” said Jill. “In that moment, I really couldn’t envision myself writing for a newspaper every day for the rest of my life.”
That willingness to question her plan, imagine something different, and change her program opened an unexpected door. The shift led Jill into the technical writing field and a job at Boeing. There, she spent months in engineering school learning to translate complex concepts.
“There are aerodynamics people and electrical engineers,” Jill explained, “You also have mechanical engineers, structures, and payloads. Every organization has a different language. It takes time to be able to understand all the different languages and be able to communicate in written words in ways that make sense.”
Jill eventually moved into leadership roles within Boeing, crediting her CWU degree with getting her through the door as a tech writer. Yet her advice to students goes beyond textbooks.
“What I really learned at Central more so than my education was dealing with adversity,” she said. “But you grow from that. And it gets you ready for the real world.”
Together, Jill and Paul built careers rooted in curiosity, resilience, and adaptability. And throughout those years, they carried something with them: the understanding that their lives had been shaped, in part, by a university that said yes when it mattered most.
"We’ve had a great life,” Jill shared. “And Central was a big enabler of that.”
Scholarships Opening Doors
The Heydrons’ sense of gratitude eventually took shape in philanthropy. Years after graduation, they, along with Jill’s father, Walter Ulness, established the Heydron‑Ulness Endowed Physics Scholarship to assist students pursuing demanding and often costly science degrees. The scholarship reflects a shared belief in the importance of science education, particularly as technology continues to reshape the world.
For many CWU students, a STEM degree can open the door to life-changing career opportunities that their parents never had. Annually, just under half of all incoming Central students share that they are the first in their families to attend college. Many students also report high financial need and face barriers beyond just the cost of attendance. For these students, access to additional scholarship funding makes it possible to focus on their studies and achieve academic success.
When first-generation student and McNair Scholar Roy Cruz received funding through the Heydron-Ulness Endowed Physics Scholarship, he moved one step closer to completing his dual degree in biophysics and mathematics. The financial support meant more than simply covering expenses.
“It helped me pursue my goal of becoming the first in my family to graduate from an accredited university,” shared Cruz.
For students like McKenzie Winegar, also a recipient of the Heydron-Ulness scholarship, the support was immediate and transformative.
“Being able to continue as a full-time student is important to me, as this dual degree can take a few years to complete,” said Winegar, “I would like to finish it as soon as possible and this scholarship allows me to do so.”
Winegar is following a path similar to Paul’s, completing the physics portion of a dual-degree program before continuing into mechanical engineering. She hopes to pursue a master’s degree in nuclear engineering. At Central, she found not only academic opportunity, but community through the Women in STEM and physics clubs, which regularly visit elementary schools for STEM Night.
“Encouraging kids and interacting with inspirational women has only further solidified my desire to pursue this pathway,” Winegar said.
Future-ready Support
For the Heydrons, stories like these represent exactly what they hoped to achieve. But even as the current scholarship expanded student opportunities, they continued to think about what more might be possible.
“We wanted to make a bigger impact on the future,” Jill said. “And we figured we could do that by giving through our estate.”
Their generous bequest represents that next step. By making a gift to CWU in their will, the Heydrons are providing funding that will adapt to the needs of future Wildcats and grow with the program.
“We don’t know exactly what science education will need 30 or 40 years from now,” said Jill, “but we know it will need to evolve.”
And just as importantly, it will need scientists who are able to do the same. Paul has seen that firsthand over the course of his career.
“People who have a background in the sciences are much more likely to ask, ‘Does that really solve the problem?’” he said.
With expanded opportunity from gifts like the Heydrons’, Central graduates will become the next generation of scientists: prepared to think deeply, adapt quickly, and contribute meaningfully.
The Legacy of Saying Yes
When Jill and Paul return to campus today, they see change: new buildings, expanded programs, and a university that has grown in both size and scope. But they also see something familiar.
“There’s always that feeling of people at the start of something,” Paul reflected.
It’s the same sense of possibility they felt as students—arriving with plans, adjusting along the way, and discovering paths they hadn’t anticipated. It’s that feeling they hope to preserve.
Estate gifts and scholarships can become the seeds of endless legacies, cultivating futures not yet imagined by the students receiving the support. Through their giving, the Heydrons are ensuring that more students will encounter that same open door—that same moment when someone says yes, and futures begin.
To learn more about how you can leave a legacy, please reach out to our University Advancement team at 509-963-2160 or plannedgiving@cwu.edu.