Memorial scholarships honor two Rockefeller alums revered in government
By Sarah Hacker
It’s a busy senior year for public policy major, Kathryn Taleporos ’25. As a resident assistant on State Quad, programming chair for the Women in Law Association and the Arts & Culture editor for the Albany Student Press, she’s made the Dean’s List every semester she’s been at UAlbany.
Nearby on the quad is Honors Society member Trevor Pettit ’27, helping freshmen adjust to college as an ambassador for World of Politics, a Living-Learning Community organized to engage like-minded students in campus life. Working toward a degree in political science, he puts his passion for activism into nonprofit volunteering and promoting voter registration with the group Democracy Matters.
When Taleporos and Pettit said ‘yes’ to their UAlbany acceptance letters, neither student knew they’d become part of a legacy reaching towards the highest levels of state and local government.
“I was excited when I learned I received the scholarship,” says Taleporos, the inaugural recipient of The Letizia Tagliafierro ’95 Scholarship for Public Service. Tagliafierro, described as “brilliant” and“ a beautiful human” by those who knew her, graduated from Rockefeller College then Albany Law School and went on to a dynamic career in public service. She served in several critical roles advocating for New Yorkers across the state before being appointed New York State Inspector General.
After succumbing to cancer in May 2023, Tagliafierro’s family, friends and colleagues contributed to the scholarship named in her honor. Many commented on her warm personality, fierce integrity and the countless lives she touched as a devoted public servant. The scholarship aims to help undergraduate students at Rockefeller follow in Tagliafierro’s footsteps as ambitious agents for the public good.
Taleporos is a fitting first recipient. “I also hope to have a career creating positive change through public policy, so I feel honored to have received a scholarship in recognition of [Letizia],” she says.
Less than seven months after Tagliafierro’s passing, another Rockefeller alum and beloved public servant died suddenly, sending shock waves of grief through the City of Albany. Flags on all city buildings flew at half-staff to honor Matthew Peter ’06, MA ’07, a popular Albany County legislator, executive director of the Albany Parking Authority and dedicated volunteer at numerous local nonprofit organizations.
Family and friends sprang into action to establish The Matthew Peter ’06, MA ’07 Scholarship for Public Service, knowing it was what Peter would have wanted. “Through this scholarship at Rockefeller College, we hope that Matthew will be remembered for his dedication to improving local government and helping people,” Peter’s family said in a statement.
This semester, the first scholarship was awarded to Pettit. The sophomore, identified for his leadership qualities, finds inspiration in Peter’s selfless career and many achievements. “I am incredibly honored to have received the Matthew Peter Scholarship and to have the opportunity to carry his torch in the public policy field,” Pettit says.
Peter’s family calls Pettit a “well-deserving” choice as a first recipient, noting a striking likeness to his scholarship’s namesake.“ Each was deeply involved in community service and interested in bringing people together. Matthew considered himself to be a practical progressive and worked with colleagues from across the aisle. Similarly, a stated goal of Trevor’s is ‘bridging political divides.’”
As two large and overlapping communities continue to mourn the loss of Peter and Tagliafierro, there is comfort in helping future leaders like Taleporos and Petitt make their own indelible impact on the people of Albany, New York State and beyond.
Memorial scholarships honor two Rockefeller alums revered in government
By Sarah Hacker
It’s a busy senior year for public policy major, Kathryn Taleporos ’25. As a resident assistant on State Quad, programming chair for the Women in Law Association and the Arts & Culture editor for the Albany Student Press, she’s made the Dean’s List every semester she’s been at UAlbany.
Nearby on the quad is Honors Society member Trevor Pettit ’27, helping freshmen adjust to college as an ambassador for World of Politics, a Living-Learning Community organized to engage like-minded students in campus life. Working toward a degree in political science, he puts his passion for activism into nonprofit volunteering and promoting voter registration with the group Democracy Matters.
When Taleporos and Pettit said ‘yes’ to their UAlbany acceptance letters, neither student knew they’d become part of a legacy reaching towards the highest levels of state and local government.
“I was excited when I learned I received the scholarship,” says Taleporos, the inaugural recipient of The Letizia Tagliafierro ’95 Scholarship for Public Service. Tagliafierro, described as “brilliant” and“ a beautiful human” by those who knew her, graduated from Rockefeller College then Albany Law School and went on to a dynamic career in public service. She served in several critical roles advocating for New Yorkers across the state before being appointed New York State Inspector General.
After succumbing to cancer in May 2023, Tagliafierro’s family, friends and colleagues contributed to the scholarship named in her honor. Many commented on her warm personality, fierce integrity and the countless lives she touched as a devoted public servant. The scholarship aims to help undergraduate students at Rockefeller follow in Tagliafierro’s footsteps as ambitious agents for the public good.
Taleporos is a fitting first recipient. “I also hope to have a career creating positive change through public policy, so I feel honored to have received a scholarship in recognition of [Letizia],” she says.
Less than seven months after Tagliafierro’s passing, another Rockefeller alum and beloved public servant died suddenly, sending shock waves of grief through the City of Albany. Flags on all city buildings flew at half-staff to honor Matthew Peter ’06, MA ’07, a popular Albany County legislator, executive director of the Albany Parking Authority and dedicated volunteer at numerous local nonprofit organizations.
Family and friends sprang into action to establish The Matthew Peter ’06, MA ’07 Scholarship for Public Service, knowing it was what Peter would have wanted. “Through this scholarship at Rockefeller College, we hope that Matthew will be remembered for his dedication to improving local government and helping people,” Peter’s family said in a statement.
This semester, the first scholarship was awarded to Pettit. The sophomore, identified for his leadership qualities, finds inspiration in Peter’s selfless career and many achievements. “I am incredibly honored to have received the Matthew Peter Scholarship and to have the opportunity to carry his torch in the public policy field,” Pettit says.
Peter’s family calls Pettit a “well-deserving” choice as a first recipient, noting a striking likeness to his scholarship’s namesake.“ Each was deeply involved in community service and interested in bringing people together. Matthew considered himself to be a practical progressive and worked with colleagues from across the aisle. Similarly, a stated goal of Trevor’s is ‘bridging political divides.’”
As two large and overlapping communities continue to mourn the loss of Peter and Tagliafierro, there is comfort in helping future leaders like Taleporos and Petitt make their own indelible impact on the people of Albany, New York State and beyond.
