Albany High Teacher Helps Refugees Pursue Higher Education

Brain Huskie (middle) is raising capital for a scholarship endowment to help Albany High refugee students attend UAlbany. (Photo courtesy of The Outlaw Academy)

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 20, 2016) -- An English teacher at Albany High School is creating a scholarship endowment to help local refugee students attend the University at Albany.

The teacher, Brian Huskie, has set a goal of raising of $25,000. If the mark is met, then a scholarship will be granted annually by the University at Albany Foundation for an Albany High refugee student. Huskie is a hosting a 25-mile walk on Saturday, May 28, to jumpstart fundraising efforts.

An Iraq war veteran, Huskie was called to active duty in 2004 as a National Guard infantry member. His inspiration for the scholarship comes from his wartime experiences, where he saw the hardships that Iraqi families and children face. Refugee students at Albany High relocate from multiple warzone countries, including Iraq.

“These kids from Iraq, as well as refugees from other places in the Middle East, Africa, Burma, and Nepal, didn’t choose to have war or persecution happen to them,” Huskie said on his blog, The Outlaw Academy. “They didn’t choose the actions of their countries or of ours. They all have their own stories, but somehow, they made it here. They have an obligation to make the most out of their lives, and they know it. It’s a second chance many don’t get. What are they going to do with this new life they were given?”

To learn more about Huskie’s pursuit, read his recent feature profile in the Albany Times Union or view the campaign’s Facebook page.

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