UAlbany Honors Richard Bailey at Memorial Mass

Bailey named honorary member of University Police Department

 

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 23, 2009) -- The University at Albany will honor the life of Richard Bailey, who was the victim of a fatal, off-campus shooting last fall, with a memorial mass at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 26 in the Campus Center Assembly Hall. The University community will gather with Bailey's family to celebrate his life on what would have been his 23rd birthday. As part of the memorial mass, Bailey -- an aspiring police officer -- will be named an honorary member of the University Police Department (UPD). The University will also unveil a plaque dedicated to Bailey's memory and present his family with a University flag.

In the wake of Bailey's death, UAlbany student leaders created The Richard Bailey Memorial Fund with the goal of raising $25,000. The fund currently stands at $22,436.

"Our family appreciates the outpouring of care and support from the University community, which has been a source of great solace throughout this very difficult time," said Richard's father, James Bailey.

�Richard�s senseless death is one of the most tragic chapters in the history of the University at Albany,� said Interim President George M. Philip.  �But we come together, today, to celebrate Richard�s life and his spirit.  His desire to become a police officer, like his dad, is clear evidence of his selflessness.  It is my hope that all of our students will be inspired by Richard�s story and follow his lead in service to others.�

During the memorial mass, Bailey's family will be presented with an official UPD badge by Chief J. Frank Wiley. Bailey planned to become a police officer after his graduation and had taken the police exam in New York City on the day prior to his death. This spring, an Eastern red bud tree -- which will accompany the memorial plaque -- will be planted outside UPD campus headquarters as a living tribute to Bailey's memory.

Bailey, a sociology major and criminal justice minor from Wantagh, N.Y., was scheduled to graduate in December. At UAlbany's Winter Commencement ceremony, Bailey was awarded a bachelor's degree posthumously, a reflection of his true accomplishments and credits earned.

The Richard Bailey Memorial Fund was also designated as the focus of the 2009 Class Gift. To raise funds for the scholarship, the Graduate Student Organization is hosting a walk at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 18 at Washington Park. A $5 donation is being asked of each walker as contribution to the scholarship fund. The event is open to all UAlbany students and community members. Albany Mayor Gerald Jennings, Albany Police Department Chief James Tuffey and Chief Wiley will start the walk by talking about the importance of Albany safety.

To contribute to The Richard Bailey Memorial Scholarship, contact Valerie DiRocco Ruskin, The University at Albany Foundation, at (518) 437-5090. Contributions, made payable to The University at Albany Foundation, can also be mailed to:

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

For more information on the Richard Bailey Memorial Mass, contact Cynthia Brady, Office of the Vice President for Student Success, at 956-8140.

For more information and to register for the Richard Bailey Scholarship Walk, visit www.albany.edu/alumni/register.htm and click on the Richard Bailey Scholarship Walk link or contact Laura Boccio, programming chair, Graduate Student Organization, at [email protected].

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