Helen and Ronald Dunin Legacy Scholarship
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County
The Ronald and Helen Dunin Legacy Scholarship was created in honor of Ronald and Helen Dunin with the purpose of “helping people who are attempting to help themselves.” Ron and Helen met in 1948 in Scotland where they operated several businesses prior to moving to the United States in 1963. In 1965, they moved to San Luis Obispo and bought the Los Padres Motel. Ron was born in 1918 in Prussia. Prior to World War II, he studied law at the University of Krakow until he was drafted into the army. He served with valor and was decorated by the Polish, British and French armies. Ron was captured by German forces and spent time in a German prisoner of war camp but managed to escape and return to Poland. Shortly after that he fled to Hungary. Ron was extremely proud to become a U.S. citizen in 1970 and served with honor for 15 years on the San Luis Obispo City Council, and seven as mayor. Ron was the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce’s Visitor and Convention Bureau and organized and founded several programs including the Downtown Association, Motel-Hotel Association, and the Obispo Beautiful Association. Helen was born in Scotland in 1905 as one of 13 siblings. Helen was an equal partner with her husband in many successful enterprises in Scotland and the U.S. She was a lifelong learner and avid reader, particularly passionate about the arts and ballet. She loved poems, folk songs, culinary arts, gardening, crocheting, knitting, and sewing. The recipient of this award exemplifies qualities important to both Ron and Helen including a strong desire to learn, involvement in school and or community service activities, and a proud first-generation college student. In a 1985 letter Mr. Dunin wrote as the incoming mayor, he said, “My three top priorities are service, service, and more service.”
Open to graduating seniors from a San Luis Obispo County high school planning to attend a four-year university. First in immediate family to attend college. Minimum GPA of 2.7 to maximum of 3.7. Demonstrated financial need.