Andrew J. Laughlin Memorial Scholarship

Established in 2010 by Trina Laughlin, BA 1996, MSW 1998, and Dennis Laughlin in memory of their son, Andrew J. Laughlin. Must be a graduate student majoring in the MSW Program through the Advanced Standing Program in the School of Social Work. Must demonstrate adherence to values, policies & traditions of NASW Code of Ethics.

On December 23, 2007, Andrew died as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He planned to pursue his master’s degree at the UB School of Social Work beginning in the fall of 2008. Two days before his death he had completed his undergraduate work in interdisciplinary sciences health and human services. Helping others and working on behalf of disenfranchised people was an integral part of Andrew’s person.

He was both compassionate and determined while exhibiting a sense of humor. Andrew is remembered as a young man of exemplary character who enjoyed giving back to the community. He overcame physical obstacles to play the sports he loved and demonstrated the discipline and hard work required to achieve academic success. When a severe knee injury sidelined him form playing college football, he vigorously pursued physical and mental training to become a boxer. These efforts culminated in becoming a Gold Gloves boxer in Pennsylvania where he completed his freshman and sophomore years.

Andrew is also remembered as a friend who would go out of his way to help others. He was the smallest member of the freshman football team, yet became the “player to most emulate.” He never missed an opportunity to encourage a fellow teammate or ignite the entire team to play its hardest. He will be remembered most for his ability to just be Andy. He neither identified as an athlete nor a student, but as a member of a community, where he was loved for his simplicity, humor, strength, compassion, and honesty.

Throughout his 22 short years, Andrew was fully invested in every aspect of his life with exceptional determination. In his final undergraduate semester, he completed 18 credit hours while owning his own painting franchise through College Pro Painters and interning at Child and Family Help of America. At the time of his death Andrew was engaged to the love of his life, Lisa Sanders. Andy and Lisa anticipated a wedding date after the completion of their two-year Master’s programs. Andy was always available to his parents, family, and friends. Throughout college, Andrew did volunteer work. He read to children at inner-city schools, gave blood to the American Red Cross on a regular basis, was a bell ringer for the Salvation Army’s holiday Red Kettle campaign, and through his painting franchise he intended, in the summer of 2008, to donate a crew and materials to provide the paining for a Rochester Habitat for Humanity home. Andrew even planned to five in the unlikely event of his death. Through the Donor Recovery Program, five people received Andy’s organs, thereby increasing the length and quality of their lives.