Scholarship Fund Proposed For Children Of Flight 3407 Deceased

During his first visit to the University at Buffalo, Gov. Paterson announced his proposal to create a scholarship fund for the children and financial dependents of the victims of Flight 3407 that crashed in Clarence Center on February 12, 2009.

Buffalo, NY - The scholarship, named "The Flight 3407 Memorial Scholarship" was modeled after the New York State World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship which was created in 2002. Governor David A. Paterson said the idea came about while listening to discussions where he learned of the true impact of the crash on the University at Buffalo (UB) and the surrounding community. Here he found out that:

among the victims of the crash of Continental Flight 3407 were 12 with known connections to UB as family members of faculty and staff, parents of students and alumni.

The Flight 3407 Memorial Scholarship will cover the costs of undergraduate studies in any SUNY or CUNY schools, for up to four years, or an amount up to that level at a private college or university in New York State. Gov. Paterson went on to say that this scholarship fund will also be for the children of the emergency crews, police, fire, safety, health and other officials and volunteers who responded to the crash scene to help, as well as the residents of Clarence Center and the surrounding communities. “

Although we have lost some of our most beloved neighbors, we will continue in our ability to help their families,” he added.

President John B. Simpson introduced Gov. Paterson during the meeting and thanked him for his compassion, support and leadership not only in the aftermath of the crash but with the proposal of the scholarship fund. Simpson read a statement to the crowd from the SUNY chancellor-elect, Nancy L. Zimpher, emphasizing that “SUNY stands with the Western New York community in supporting all those impacted by that devastating event,” Zimpher, too, thanked Paterson for his leadership in creating the scholarship fund. Also in attendance were Erie County Executive Chris Collins; UB alumnus Scott Bylewski, the Town of Clarence supervisor; Erie Community College President Jack Quinn; and representatives of other colleges in Western New York.