Milton Danko
1919-1957

The Milton & Mary M. Danko
Golden Rule Award

 Mary Danko
1913-1998


This scholarship is awarded to undergraduate Business or Accounting majors at the University at Albany, who are currently in their junior year.

Past Award Recipients

2001Kathryn S. Leahy & Hunger Action Network of New York
2002Joana Lucashuk & Equinox
2003Tania N. Petrina & Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless
2004Tiffany Chan & Capital City Rescue Mission
2005Lauren Wainer & Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Diocese of Albany
2006Jesse Krupski & Capital District Habitat for Humanity
2007Vincent J. Cisternino & Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Diocese of Albany
2008Alexis Imprescia & Project Mexico
2009Kyra Newman & Feed The Children
2010Brendan Martin & UBECI
2011Angela M. Razzano & Capital City Rescue Mission
2012Katy Muller & The Midnight Run Organization at Immaculate Conception of Stony Point, NY
2013Krystal Folk & Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region
2014Courtney Stern & Unity House of Troy, NY
2015Naomi Rider & Urban Promise of Wilmington, DE
2016Daniel J. Post & Three Village Meals on Wheels
2017Thomas Mkrtichian & Save the Children
2018Pamela Dolcine & St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
2019Michelle Marcello & The Doe Fund (Work Works)
2020Alexander DeBraccio & Rotterdam Junction (NY) Volunteer Fire Department
2021Kyle McCarey & The Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless in Albany, NY

Contributors 		 

About the Award

Through their selfless actions, Milton and Mary Danko helped many people. Milton exhibited great courage while serving with the US Navy during World War II in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre. After the war, he was a union leader with IUE 301 -- taking an active role in the purge -- and served on the Board of Administrators of the GE Employees' Community Service Fund. He was also certain to ensure adequate housing for his wife Mary and their four children before he succumbed to the insidious effects of Multiple Sclerosis in 1957. Despite early widowhood and her own health problems, Mary served as a wonderful role model for others until her death in 1998, and never flinched while caring for her quadriplegic son at home for nearly the last 30 years of her life.

Because both Milton and Mary cared for others and gave when it seemed there was nothing left to give, The Milton & Mary M. Danko Golden Rule Award was established in their memory through the University at Albany Foundation. Simply stated, the Golden Rule requires us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves (Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 19:19). In this spirit, each year a junior enrolled at the University at Albany's School of Business will be considered for the award based on a demonstrated pattern of giving to others his/her most precious resource: time. A scholarship of $1000 will be directly credited to the winner's account through the University's Student Accounts Office. In addition, the winner will designate a matching amount of $1,000 to be contributed to an approved not-for-profit organization that focuses on the needs of the hungry and homeless.

How To Apply

To be considered for this Award, the applicant must submit a personal statement that:

  1. Describes at least one significant voluntary activity
  2. Indicates the number of years and hours/week the voluntary activity consumed
  3. Includes verifiable outcomes (i.e., letters of reference, or contact information
  4. Suggests future plans for additional voluntary activities
Please note that you must include a copy of your current résumé with your application to the Office of Student Services (BB 201), Albany, NY 12222