Scholarship to honor Bailey

In the wake of the shooting death of a University at Albany senior, students and administrators created a scholarship in his memory.

After the murder of Richard Bailey shocked the university community, UAlbany announced an endowed scholarship, The Richard Bailey Memorial Fund.

"It's another way for us to honor a student who would have been graduating in December," said Dan Truchan, president of the Student Association. "We hope the establishment of this scholarship will keep Richard's memory alive on our campus."

There was a united desire to remember the 22-year-old sociology major, who will be graduating posthumously with a Bachelor's degree.

"When this happened, the entire university community was trying to think of ways to honor his life in a way he would be remembered for a long time; a way to immortalize him," UAlbany Vice President for Student Development Fardin Sanai said. The endowed scholarship was a collaborative act among students and administrators and will also be named the target of the 2009 class gift.

"Richard will always be a member of the university community," said UAlbany Interim President George M. Philip. "This scholarship will ensure that Richard will be remembered by many generations of UAlbany students."

The fund has received personal pledges from both Sanai and Philip.

Sanai said he has personally pledged $1,000 and Philip has pledged more. The interim president notified the family of the scholarship during a trip to Bailey's hometown of Wantagh, N.Y. for the wake and funeral. The family was pleased and requested the priest to make an announcement at the services.

Details surrounding the focus and potential recipient of the scholarship will be left to the discretion of Bailey's family. Sanai said UAlbany wants to do what would please Bailey, and his family would know how best to do this. "Establishing the fund is an amazing gesture by the students of the senior class, who has lost one of their own," Sanai said. For the 2009 class gift, graduating students are encouraged to meet the $25,000 goal for the Richard Bailey Memorial Fund. "The more they put in, the happier I'll be," Truchan said. The graduating class of 2008 donated just over $16,000 toward the purchase of a new Five Quad ambulance Opportunities for students to contribute will arise in the event of a future donation campaign by UAlbany Student Association, Truchan said. He said he believes students will be eager to give because of the cause. "UAlbany students are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Richard," Truchan said. Sanai said he also has faith in the UAlbany future graduates. "I know they will make it happen." Also in response to Richard Bailey's death, the Student Association Senate created an ad-hoc committee on community safety to discuss related issues.