Kathryn Kunkle & Patricia Kunkle

The Esther Parsons Scholarship, now known as the Parsons/Kunkle Scholarship, was established in 1972 by Esther’s family in her memory. From a young age, Esther dreamed of becoming a nurse, though her parents encouraged her to pursue a career in education. She taught school in southwestern Butler County for two years before following her passion for healthcare and joining the local hospital staff. Over time, she advanced to become an X-ray technician and devoted her career to serving others in the medical field until her passing in December 1966. Today, the Esther Parsons Nursing Scholarship holds the distinction of being the oldest endowed scholarship at Butler Community College.

Esther’s legacy was faithfully preserved and strengthened by her sister, Mrs. Walter (Kathryn) Kunkle, and her niece, Ms. Patricia Kunkle, who consistently contributed to the fund over the years. In 2007, Kathryn and Pat chose to broaden the scholarship’s impact by expanding eligibility to include students pursuing Education and Vocational programs. To honor the enduring commitment of both families, the scholarship was renamed the Parsons/Kunkle Scholarship.

Kathryn passed away in April 2008 at the remarkable age of 103. Pat passed away in December 2024 at the age of 92. Through their vision, generosity, and dedication to student success, the Parsons/Kunkle Scholarship has continued to grow and evolve. At the time of her passing, Pat made an extraordinary final contribution to Butler Community College Foundation through the largest legacy gift in the Foundation’s history. Her transformational generosity ensures that future generations of students will have access to educational opportunities, extending the Parsons and Kunkle families’ legacy of service, compassion, and investment in the lives of others for years to come.