A Brief History of the Benny Dunning Pay It Forward Scholarship

The Benny Dunning Pay It Forward Scholarship was born from a deeply personal story of generosity that shaped Benny Dunning’s life. Growing up with limited means, Benny worked hard to pursue education beyond high school—an opportunity few in his family had.

When a much-needed $200 scholarship failed to arrive during his seminary studies, Benny turned to a local farmer, Henry, for a loan. Instead of asking for repayment, Henry offered a simple but powerful message:

That single act of kindness became the inspiration for a lifetime of giving—and ultimately, this scholarship. With the support of co-founders Dr. Rhonda Caldwell and Lola Hill from KASA, Benny formally established the scholarship on April 29, 2022. Its mission is to support Kentucky public school seniors who have a passion for learning and a desire to better themselves through higher education.

The first awards were presented at the 2023 KASA Annual Leadership Institute, marking an historic moment with two inaugural recipients. Since then, the scholarship has continued to grow in both visibility and impact.

Each year, the Benny Dunning Pay It Forward Scholarship supports one senior from Jefferson County and two students from any public high school across the Commonwealth. Award recipients are now attending colleges and universities across Kentucky—living proof that even modest support can change a life and create a ripple effect of generosity for generations to come.