REPORT OF GIFTS | ALBANY LAW SCHOOL | 2013 – 2014
NEW ENDOWMENT FUNDS
38
HELEN WILKINSON MEMORIAL FUND
DALE VAN EPPS ’66 MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Class of 1978 Reunion Class, led by John Conners, Dan Grossman and Dan Nolan, raised funds to establish the Helen Wilkinson Memorial Fund in honor of the beloved, longtime Albany Law School registrar. To remember her countless contributions to the Law School and to embody her spirit, the Wilkinson Fund will be used to grant emergency funds to students who experience difficulties because of health concerns or family emergencies, for example, or who need special assistance to pay for bar preparation courses, books, emergency living expenses, or other special needs.
Endowed by gifts from numerous friends and colleagues of the late Dale Van Epps ’66, and by a generous gift by his widow, Rillann Fuller Van Epps, this memorial scholarship recognizes Dale Van Epps’ lifelong relationship with Albany Law School and underscores his commitment to educational opportunities for future generations. It will provide scholarships to students who are residents of, or who attended schools, colleges or universities in the Finger Lakes and central New York state, where Mr. Van Epps lived and worked for many years as a pillar of its legal and real estate development communities. Additional gifts to the scholarship are welcome and most appreciated.
Often recalled as “the shadow dean,” Wilkinson was known to pull students aside to discuss their classes and teachers, grades, admission (in some cases, re-admission), financial aid and work study. She was also the one person at the law school many looked to for support in an emergency (usually money or family-related), who would help them through that crisis. The purpose of the Wilkinson Fund is to make an impact on today’s students in the way Helen Wilkinson did. The Class of 1978 goal was to raise $150,000 over a two-year period, and as they near their goal, additional gifts are welcome. Contact the Institutional Advancement office for more information or to make a gift to the Helen Wilkinson Fund.
THE STEVEN V. DEBRACCIO ’13 COMMENCEMENT PRIZE FOR AN OUTSTANDING TEACHING ASSISTANT
Established by Steven V. DeBraccio, co-salutatorian of the Class of 2013, a six-time Teaching Assistant, and Managing Editor of the Albany Law Review, this award honors the commitment of the graduating student who has served as the most outstanding teaching assistant throughout his or her law school career. Selected by members of the student body, the award is the first of its kind at Albany Law School to recognize the contribution teaching assistants play in the academic success of our students.