A Legacy of Excellence
Reja Beasley Klug was born a Mississippi State Bulldog.
Reja, her father, her sister, her husband, and her son are all proud members of the Mississippi State University family. Following in her father’s footsteps, Reja majored in electrical engineering and graduated from the Bagley College of Engineering in 1984, a time when very few women were pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). She was an engineer at heart, always devoting her passions and talents to a greater good. This scholarship is founded on her lifelong desire to encourage others to do the same.
After graduation, Reja began her career at Mississippi Power and Light as a district engineer. She was subsequently recruited by the United States Air Force (USAF) to bring her power expertise to the Strategic Defense Initiative, developing electromagnetic launcher technologies at Eglin Air Force Base where she earned two patents for her work:
5154637 High current cable termination for pulsed power applications
5304739 High energy coaxial cable for use in pulsed high energy systems
She took an intentional career break when her children, Kerianne and Ryan, were born. Later, she returned to work with the 96th Test Wing at Eglin where she worked several highly classified projects, earning awards and recognition for her contributions to the USAF. Reja finished her career as a principal engineer at IS4S, where her husband, Russ, currently serves as vice president and site lead for the company’s Fort Walton Beach offices.
In addition to her award-winning career, Reja and Russ enjoyed family time at “the world’s most beautiful beach” in their hometown along the Emerald Coast, trips to Disney World with the kids, and visiting lighthouses all across the country. Her faith was central to her life and she and Russ spent many joyous years teaching youth Sunday school, coordinating mission’s projects, and leading Bible studies in their local church.
Reja passed away on October 1, 2024, after a short, fierce battle with pancreatic cancer. To honor her legacy of excellence and continue her impact in the STEM fields, IS4S and MSU have proudly partnered to establish the Reja Klug Memorial Scholarship.
Reja Klug Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is designed to empower full-time undergraduate engineers at the Bagley College of Engineering at Mississippi State University.
Gianna Adams: Fall 2025 Recipient
Congratulations to Gianna Adams, the first recipient of the Reja Klug Memorial Scholarship!
Gianna is a software engineering major at Mississippi State University, starting her sophomore year in fall 2025. Gianna shared, “I chose to attend MSU because I instantly felt as if it was my home away from home. The moment I stepped foot on campus as a 6th grade student attending a football game, I fell in love.”
Regarding her decision to pursue a STEM degree, Gianna chose software engineering because it was the perfect integration of two interests she discovered in high school: computer science and design. She is also on the pre-dental track to go to dental school, and her current career aspirations are to improve and develop medical software used in clinics, dentistry, hospitals, and beyond.
Gianna is a top student and an active member on campus. “I am a Luckyday Scholar serving on the organization's leadership council and part of the Famous Maroon Band as a color guard member,” she said. “I am also in the Shackouls Honors College and a part of the Student Association's cabinet in the programming pod!”
Have a great year, Gianna! Congrats on being named the first-ever Reja Klug Scholarship recipient!
Fund Contributions
If you would like to be involved in helping engineers at MSU and increase the impact of the Reja Klug Memorial Scholarship fund, you can make a donation here.
