Keeping Memories Alive

 

Eight years after University at Albany alumnus Scott McGovern passed away in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center on September 11, he continues to inspire and touch the lives of students at his alma mater -- all of whom McGovern has never even met. But they know him.

Through The Scott M. McGovern '87 Memorial Scholarship, UAlbany students receive financial help to attend college. With it, they also get a sense of who McGovern was -- the dedicated and doting father and husband, the successful bond broker, the amazing friend with a tremendous personality.

"It would be incredibly meaningful for Scott to know he's helping these kids, who are bright but need a little financial help," said McGovern's wife, Jill. "When Scott was going to college, he didn't have a whole lot, but he made himself a very successful life. He would be honored to help these students, many who have come from the same background, to be able to fulfill their dreams. I'm very grateful it exists."

At UAlbany, McGovern worked at the University Library and played intramural softball and floor hockey with friends. He received a bachelor of science degree in business.

In 2002, Jill, along with a number of friends and many of McGovern's former classmates established The Scott M. McGovern '87 Memorial Scholarship Fund, which has garnered more than $465,000 in support from donor contributions to date. Scholarships, which are renewable every year, are awarded to an incoming freshman who demonstrates financial need and academic achievement.

"With the scholarships, it allows us to keep his memory alive while doing something good at the same time," said close friend and McGovern's UAlbany roommate Doug Ketterer, '87. "Its important to his family and all of us, especially his daughters because it honors their father."

McGovern and his wife have two daughters, Alana, 12 and Nicole 9 �.

Each year, family and friends sponsor the Scott McGovern Memorial Golf Tournament on Long Island to raise funds for the endowment, and for other charitable causes in his name. Over 200 alumni and friends raised $90,000 in the first annual Scott M. McGovern (B.S.'87) Memorial Golf Tournament. Now in its eighth year, the tournament will be held on September 14, 2009.

"He was a tremendous person. He was truly a dedicated father. He was not just present, he was active," said Jill.

"I've never met someone in my life who has so many people consider him one of their best friends," said Ketterer. "It's rare to be able to say that about a person, but just demonstrates what an amazing guy he really was."

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