Donors Honor Their Mothers

Norman ’71 and Sandra Reisman

Norman Reisman, ’71 B.S., knew his mother for only a short time. Helen Alter Reisman died when her son was only 4 years old. She was only 35. “So my knowledge of her really comes from the short time we had together, a few photos, and stories from my many aunts, uncles, and cousins,” Reisman says.

“She was a very kind and loving woman, and I wanted to do something that would create a legacy in her memory,” says Reisman, who is donating funds, along with his wife Sandra, in honor of his mother. The Helen Alter Reisman Scholarship will provide financial help to University at Albany students pursuing careers in theater. “Sandy and I both love theater,” says Reisman, who serves on an off-Broadway, nonprofit theater board.

Thomas Pettersen ’73

Thomas Pettersen, B.S. ’73, also wants to remember his mother through a scholarship. “I thought the gift would be a good way to honor my parents and help UAlbany continue to expand the sports program and help the School of Education provide more scholarship support to aspiring teachers.” His mother Reva was a teacher. The Reva and Thomas Morgan Pettersen Mother & Son Teaching Scholarship is available to incoming School of Education graduate students.

Charles and Helen Reisman

Pettersen and Reisman attended the University during turbulent times, but at UAlbany they found their footings for their careers and their futures. Pettersen, who retired from more than 30 years as a financial executive, says the school was a “great place to launch my career.” He majored in accounting and was a member of Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity. Pettersen is now retired from his work in the financial services industry and is living in Manhattan Beach, California. He worked in leadership positions in NBC Television and various other small but growing companies.

Reisman focused on marketing while at UAlbany, saying Marketing 101 taught him lessons he used throughout his career. He grew up in Brooklyn and Long Island, while Sandra is from Gloversville and Rego Park, Queens. She’s a 1970 graduate of American University. The Reismans now live on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and are both retired from more than 40 years in the insurance industry, where they focused on providing member benefits to organized labor. 

Reva Pettersen

Pettersen and Reisman say being able to donate to UAlbany to honor their family members is very satisfying and gives them an opportunity to positively impact their alma mater. They both agree working with Mary Johnson, a Senior Major Gifts Officer at the Foundation, made the donor experience both easy and pleasurable. 

“I now know the name of the first Helen Alter Reisman Scholarship winner. UAlbany sent me a Donor Impact Report with the name of the first winner on it,” Reisman said. “I look forward to seeing many more names of UAlbany students that this award will help. It feels good to give back.”