One of the first things the late Kermit L. Hall did when he became University at Albany president in February 2005 was establish The Inaugural Scholarship Fund to provide need-based undergraduate student scholarships. The fund was jump-started with $100,000 that the campus could have spent on a presidential inauguration. Hall and his wife, Phyllis, also contributed an additional $10,000 toward the fund. The initial goal was to raise $1 million, but the fund - recently renamed the Kermit L. Hall and Phyllis A. Hall Inaugural Scholarship Fund in honor of the president, who passed away Aug. 13, and his wife - now totals nearly $2.8 million. Nineteen scholarships have been awarded thus far, and we welcome contributions that will continue to ensure the fund's growth and assist deserving students.

For gifts of $25,000 and above, donors may establish named, endowed funds that provide need-based undergraduate student scholarships, and these will be considered a part of the Kermit L. Hall and Phyllis A. Hall Inaugural Scholarship Fund.

Mrs. Hall has requested that gifts in memory of her husband be made to the Kermit L. Hall and Phyllis A. Hall Inaugural Scholarship Fund. Checks may be sent to The University at Albany Foundation at UAB 226, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12222; contributions may also be made online. Please specify that your gift is for the fund in memory of President Hall.

If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to: uafund@uamail.albany.edu.