James M. Dunn Scholarship Fund
The James M. Dunn Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Jim Dunn.
To carry on Jim’s legacy, the Fund awarded its first scholarship to a graduating senior of Barnstable High School in the spring of 2012. Scholarships have continued to be awarded each year since. Students have been chosen because they exemplify qualities that were so important to Jim. Each has overcome obstacles on the road to achieving academic success and have done so with perseverance, dedication, and a positive attitude. They showed understanding of, and appreciation for, others’ differences.
In 2014 we were able to expand the number of scholarships awarded. In addition to the Barnstable High School scholarship, a $1000.00 scholarship is now available to all children of officers of the Barnstable Police Department who are graduating from high school and will be attending a two- or four-year program at an accredited college. This year we are pleased to be able to continue to offer these scholarships. In future years, the number of scholarships to be awarded will be determined by the Scholarship Board based on the availability of funds.The scholarship application available online is for Barnstable Police Department applicants only. Barnstable High School and YMCA Achievers applicants should obtain the appropriate application from their contact person.
Jim made a profound difference to many, and with the help of continued contributions we hope to carry that forward by offering these scholarships for many years to come.
SCHOLARSHIP BOARD MEMBERS:
President Barbara Dunn
Vice President Tom McDonald
Treasurer Jeffrey Oakes
Sam DeLong Director
Katie Dunn Director
Bryant Dunn Director
Wendy Bennett Director
Jeannie Challies, Brian Morrison BPD liasons
Charles Sabatt Ex Officio
About Jim
Jim served for 31 years as a police officer in the Town of Barnstable. During that time, Jim worked in the schools as a D.A.R.E. officer and then as a resource officer. He was exceptionally dedicated to the children in his community, as well as his fellow officers andtheir families.
Each year at Jim’s D.A.R.E. graduation, he would share the following story that embodied his philosophy about making the world a better place through efforts large and small:
Every day, an old man walked the beach with a pail, picking up starfish that had been washed in by the tide and throwing them back into the sea. One day a young boy stopped the old man and asked, “Why do you throw the starfish back? It doesn’t matter. They will only wash up on the shore again tomorrow.” The old man picked a starfish out of his pail, threw it as far as he could into the sea, and replied… “It mattered to that one.”