Pavy grew up in the New Castle area, and was a high school basketball standout who was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990. The 1959 New Castle High School graduate was also a member of the Indiana All-Star Team.

In college, Pavy was a starter for the IU Hoosiers before an automobile accident during his junior year left him paralyzed. He continued his education, became a teacher and worked in the Henry County school system, was a high school basketball coach and mentor, and has volunteered countless hours as a board member and president for the Henry County Community Foundation. He is currently the assistant superintendent for the school corporation.

Danny Danielson of New Castle wanted to establish the Ray Pavy Spirit of Caring Scholarship in order to honor Pavy and his remarkable career.

“I wanted to establish the scholarship because Ray is such a popular person in the area,” Danielson said. “People taking classes at the Danielson Center are all local. By establishing this scholarship, we are going to help the community.”

Danielson and his wife, Patty, pledged to contribute up to $50,000 for the new scholarship. The donation was based on a three-to-one match—for every $3 raised by the public, the Danielsons contributed one toward the scholarship. The goal is $200,000.

By the end of February, the Henry County Community Foundation, the organization in charge of the endowment, had received $120,000. Danielson was optimistic that the goal mark would be met. “We will get there,” he said.

Judy Melton, a member of the general scholarship steering committee, said Pavy is deserving of the scholarship in his honor because of the dedication and work he has given to the community. Pavy has headed the general scholarship committee in Henry County and has been the chairman for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program.

“The scholarship is in recognition of his spirit of trying to accomplish as much as he can. I think Raymond is so admirable because in the face of adversity, he has kept going. There have been many times when he has had health problems that have been life threatening,” Melton said. “He has always rebelled against it. He has always come back and taken on more work than ever. Danny Danielson believes that this is the same spirit the students need to accomplish their educational goals.”

The scholarship is for any Henry County student enrolled at IU, the Purdue University College of Technology or Ivy Tech Community College courses at the Danielson Center in New Castle. Each year, a student—or students—will receive help with the cost of attending classes toward the earning of a certification or a two- or four-year degree.

Scott Hayes, a Purdue alumnus and member of the scholarship committee, said Pavy was one adult that always made time for younger people. “When I was a youngster, Ray Pavy was my idol. He was a star basketball and baseball player, and a good football player,” he said. Since his childhood, Hayes said his respect for Pavy has grown.

“He’s overcome the physical obstacles that have been laid before him, and he has managed to become a leader in the education system of New Castle,” Hayes said. “He is an outstanding representative of Indiana University and is deserving of the recognition represented by this scholarship.”

Jerry Schaeffer, executive director of the Henry County Community Foundation, said Pavy is well-known throughout the community. “He is a good example of what barriers can be overcome,” Schaffer said.