Our Mission
Our History
The Big Walnut Education Foundation was founded in 1994 with a $20,000 donation.
From that, we awarded our first $6,000 in scholarships in 1995.
That first donation in 1994 initiated a giving movement in our community.
In 2023, we awarded nearly $92,000 to Big Walnut High School students and alumni.
Altogether, Big Walnut students have received well over $2 million since 1994. These scholarships are paid with interest, dividends, and capital gains—allowing our $1,600,000+ principal to continue growing.
The Big Walnut Education Foundation Board
We run on transparency and frugality, which means we are completely volunteer driven by a group of individuals who are passionate about Big Walnut youth, their futures, and the future of our community at large.
I’m a lifelong Sunbury resident and graduated from Big Walnut High School in 1985. My wife Renee and I have four children and are active members of St. John Neumann Catholic Church. We are both consistent volunteers and advocates for our community; I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve local youth on the Board of Directors for the Big Walnut Education Foundation.
As a graduate of Big Walnut Schools I am so proud to be a part of the Big Walnut Education Foundation. Shortly after graduation from college I came back to Big Walnut to raise my children in this district because of the schools and the close-knit community. I love being able to work with the Big Walnut Community to bring as many resources to our students as possible.
I give to BWEF because I feel it’s important to give back to the community that helped raise our kids. I wanted to stay involved and continue to try to make a difference in our school district.
My wife, Lauren, and I have seven children and we understand the value of scholarships for college bound students and their families. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our community alongside the BWEF board.
I work locally and have children in Big Walnut schools. I believe it’s important to support all Big Walnut students.
I raised my family here in the Big Walnut community, and my children graduated from the school district. I support the Foundation because I believe in giving back to our community. It is always good to help our children!
One of my long-term, ongoing goals is to be a solid advocate for Big Walnut students. Outside of my time with the BWEF, I served as an administrator in BW schools including as Vice-Principal and Athletic Director. I’ve been happy to support Big Walnut students for decades.
I grew up a fourth generation student in the Big Walnut School System, and I went to college with the help of scholarships. Today I am grateful to raise my children in our community and to serve through the Big Walnut Education Foundation—a rewarding way to give back by helping create opportunities for Big Walnut graduates.
As a community member and a business owner in Sunbury, it is my honor to serve on the BWEF. I firmly believe that a good education is an essential component on the path to success. The BWEF is helping our students make their way along that path.
Our Purpose
- To provide scholarships for students or graduates of Big Walnut.
- To act as custodian for current and future memorial funds within the Big Walnut School District.
- To be an ongoing, fundraising, tax-deductible recipient and administrator of gifts from parties who want to contribute toward the educational needs and opportunities of BWHS graduates through the Foundation.