Albany Philanthropists Morris and Esther Massry Contribute $10,000 to the Richard Bailey Memorial Fund

Contact(s):  Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 6, 2008) -- Albany philanthropists Morris and Esther Massry have contributed $10,000 to the Richard Bailey Memorial Fund, marking the first major gift to the endowed scholarship. The fund, which is the focus of UAlbany's 2009 Class Gift, was created by student leaders in the wake of the tragic death of 22-year-old senior Richard Bailey.

Bailey, a sociology major and criminal justice minor from Wantagh, N.Y., was scheduled to graduate in December. He will be awarded a bachelor's degree posthumously at a future commencement ceremony.

"With the help of generous donors like Morris and Esther Massry, the University at Albany, and especially the Class of 2009, will honor Richard Bailey�s life and provide assistance and support to other young people long into the future," said Interim President George M. Philip.

"It is my family's hope this pledge will inspire others to give so that Richard's memory will live on for generations to come," said Massry.

The Massrys are long-time volunteers and supporters of the University at Albany. The Massry Conference Center at the Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics is named in honor of the Albany couple, who donated $500,000 to the University in support of cancer research.

Morris Massry is vice president and director of The University at Albany Foundation.

To contribute to The Richard Bailey Memorial Scholarship, contact Valerie DiRocco Ruskin, The University at Albany Foundation, at (518) 437-5090. Contributions may also be made online at www.albany.edu/giving, or by check, made payable to The University at Albany Foundation and mailed to:

The University at Albany Foundation
Richard Bailey Memorial Fund
1400 Washington Avenue
UAB 226
Albany, NY 12222

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