Jamey Pavey, new RCCF board member, grew up in the Blue Ridge area of southwestern Rush County. She was part of the last 8^th grade class to pass through Milroy Jr. High and graduated from Rushville Consolidated High School in 1994. “You might be surprised,” she mentioned with a smile, “that I held multiple school records in swimming at RCHS back in the day.”

Then she left for bigger waters, so to speak.

Diving into a passion that land-locked Rush County couldn’t support, Jamey attended the University of South Carolina, graduating with a BS in Marine Science in 1998. Her interest in the natural world took her to the University of Tennessee, where in 2005 she earned a PhD in Natural Resources.

With husband, Jason, also a Rush County native, the couple lived in Tennessee and Virginia, starting their family along the way – Gabby, Sam, and Eli. You might say that the Paveys took the scenic route to find their way home. In 2012, they returned to Rush County and haven’t looked back.

Jamey is the Director of the Center for Environmental Leadership at Earlham College. “I teach classes in the Environmental Sustainability major and oversee various co-curricular programs. I also work closely with students and the administration on sustainability efforts on campus, including composting and other waste reduction efforts, energy and water conservation, and campus landscaping,” she explained.

Another important aspect of her life is her children being heavily involved in sports and the community. Gabby was the 2024 Lilly Endowment Scholar and is currently a freshman at DePauw. Twins Sam and Eli are on the football and wrestling teams among their activities. The Paveys opened their home to an exchange student from Poland this year, too.

“I love that our kids have had the opportunity to grow up close to family and to have chances to be involved in so many different school and community activities, including at St. Mary Catholic Church. I loved growing up here and am glad that our kids have thrived here,” she answered without hesitation when asked what she loves about living in Rush County.

“I also appreciate the fact that we have a nice variety of restaurants and the amazing concerts at the amphitheater. We have lived in other states in bigger cities, but I don’t feel like I’m missing out.” That’s saying a lot coming from someone who has lived in four states and visited 38 others as well as seven countries. She has a well-rounded and unique perspective on home.

Family is a huge part of home and Jamey’s heart. For fun we asked what she would do with $1M – with the catch that she had to give it all away. “I would set up funds for all of our nieces and nephews to pay for college or other post-secondary training. I’d want to help all of them pursue their goals.”

“I have been impressed with the work of RCCF over the past few years, so I was excited to be asked to be a part of it,” she shared. In keeping with her scientific training, she offered up some facts she learned during her board orientation to back up her observations. “For instance, in 2023 out of the entire state with 94 community foundations RCCF was in #7 in in total assets per capita ($1,774) and #4 in gifts per capita ($232). This is testament to the generosity of our community and the great team of people leading RCCF.”

Team RCCF got even greater with the addition of Jamey – welcome aboard!