Donor Impact

The Family of Peter Bulger Scholarship

David Nichols on the basketball court
David Nichols ’18 was the first recipient of the Bulger Scholarship Bill Ziskin

Peter Bulger, B.S.’77, is no newcomer to philanthropy at the University at Albany. Over the years, he has donated to the construction of the Science Library, the Institute for Financial Market Regulation, and Bob Ford Field. For many years, he sponsored the Great Danes Golf Outing.

Five years ago, with a $50,000 gift, Bulger established The Family of Peter Bulger Scholarship, which supports deserving scholar-athletes. Now, he has made a new $500,000 planned gift to support the fund. “We felt it was appropriate to ensure that others would have the opportunity to attend this fine institution,” Bulger said.

Dedicated fans of Great Dane athletics, Bulger and his wife, Cindy, are frequently seated courtside at SEFCU Arena, cheering on UAlbany’s men and women athletes.

One of those athletes – former basketball standout David Nichols, a Summer 2018 UAlbany graduate – was the first recipient of the Bulger Scholarship. Nichols, also a star in the classroom, majored in communication, minored in business, and graduated with a 3.91 G.P.A.

Bulger, who went on to earn an M.B.A. at Fordham University after receiving a bachelor’s in economics from UAlbany, serves on the Board of Directors of The University at Albany Foundation. He also sits on the board of the Great Dane Athletic Club and is a member of the SIFMA Institutional Brokerage Committee, which he chaired in 2010.

Bulger has more than 30 years of Wall Street experience: He worked with CL King & Associates for 24 years, serving as executive managing director, chief operating officer, and a member of the board of directors. He is now a securities consultant with the TIA Group and Front Street Consulting.