Veteran and Arizona entrepreneur Greg Scaven is working with the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University to create opportunities for future students. Photo courtesy of Greg Scaven
“I did some pretty cool things during my career in the pyrotechnics and explosives industry, but the truth is that most of the time, what I designed or what my team built sat there and didn’t do much except when it was needed to help keep someone safe or even save a life,” Scaven says. “Ensuring that these devices worked exactly as designed and only when intended is a high-stakes challenge.”
Throughout his decades-long career in chemical engineering, pyrotechnics and advanced manufacturing, Scaven worked on technologies designed to perform in critical moments, including safety systems that protect drivers and pilots. As someone who has hired many engineers, Scaven sees a comprehensive engineering education is a vital foundation for a high-impact career.
Today, the former U.S. Army officer and Arizona business leader is focused on expanding opportunities for a new generation of engineers by establishing the Gregory J. Scaven Scholarship in partnership with the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University. The scholarship is designated to support engineering students who are veterans or come from veteran families by reducing financial barriers and creating clearer pathways into a field he believes aligns naturally with military experience.
“I don’t know that I’ve been the person who’s been blessed to have the best ideas,” Scaven says, “but what I did in my career that I’m most proud of is make opportunities to support other people’s great ideas and make them a reality.”
A commitment shaped by service and community
Scaven moved to Arizona in 1991 after serving active duty in the U.S. Army and has called the state home ever since. Though he did not attend ASU, he has hired numerous Fulton Schools graduates throughout his career and developed a strong respect for the university’s approach to engineering education.
“I think they do a great job preparing students for what it’s like in the real world,” he says. “I’m humbled to put my name on something that helps more military veterans have the opportunity to become engineers.”
Scaven believes veterans frequently transition into engineering and other technical fields, noting the clear connections between military training and engineering practice.
In the U.S. Army, service members develop a military occupational specialty that often translates directly into technical civilian careers. Beyond technical skill, however, Scaven points to mindset.
The discipline, preparation and emphasis on continuous improvement embedded in military culture mirror the structured problem-solving that’s central to engineering education.
“Engineering is very process-oriented,” he says. “You have inputs, you execute a process, you expect outputs. That aligns very well with military training.”
Supporting veterans balancing multiple responsibilities
Many veterans pursuing degrees are also balancing school with work, family responsibilities or continued service, making flexible, high-quality programs essential.
The Fulton Schools were recently ranked No. 10 nationally for best online graduate engineering programs for veterans by U.S. News & World Report. The online electrical engineering program ranked second nationally, reflecting the university’s commitment to accessible and rigorous education.
Richard Chambers, a U.S. Navy service member and online electrical engineering student, is the first recipient of the Gregory J. Scaven Scholarship. He was inspired to become an engineer after joining the Navy in 2018 as a submarine nuclear electronics technician.
“The discipline and routines ingrained in members of the armed forces make it significantly easier to establish and stick to a routine,” Chambers says. “The tenacity service members use to tackle tough situations serves them well for working through difficult classes and projects.”
Chambers chose ASU’s online program after hearing from fellow service members that the program was flexible to their needs.
“The flexibility of this program allowed me to participate in classes at any point of the day and often at any point in the week,” he says, even while working a rotating schedule of seven consecutive 10-hour days. “Without this, I would not have been able to pursue my degree.”
The scholarship enabled him to remain enrolled full-time while supporting his family and preparing for the arrival of a second child.
“It allows me to focus my time and energy on family and school instead of stressing about paying for the next college bill,” he says.
Expanding access and strengthening the workforce
For Scaven, the scholarship’s long-term success will be defined by its capacity to create opportunity for his fellow service members.
That focus on expanding opportunity reflects a broader effort across ASU to increase access to engineering education and support learners whose experiences position them to make an immediate impact in the workforce.
“These scholarships are based on need,” he says. “If this allows somebody to go study engineering — something they always wanted to do — and they wouldn’t have been able to otherwise, then it met my objective.”
He also views investment in engineering education as essential to the nation’s future. As advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies evolve, strong engineering preparation remains critical to economic resilience and innovation.
By supporting veterans pursuing engineering degrees, Scaven aims to extend a new chapter of service that strengthens communities and fuels innovation.
Fulton Schools Executive Director of Development Kati Martinez says the contribution will change the futures of many future students.
“Greg is a true servant leader, and we are grateful for his partnership and commitment to support ASU engineering students for generations to come,” Martinez says. “The Gregory J. Scaven Scholarship is helping our veteran students persist to graduation and become the future engineering leaders our community needs. It is a great example of how one person can make a positive difference in the lives of so many others, and that ripple effect is incredibly powerful and inspirational.”
Are you interested in unlocking future engineers’ potential through higher education? Join other supporters who are paving the way for a brighter future and learn more about how ASU is Changing Futures.
