The family of the late Peter W. “Pete” Bretsky Jr., a former professor of paleontology and geological sciences at Stony Brook University, has established an endowed scholarship in his memory to support undergraduate students in geosciences.
Bretsky, who joined Stony Brook’s Department of Earth and Space Sciences in 1972, was known for his broad academic interests. His son, Philip Bretsky, described him as having an enduring curiosity for learning. “My dad was immensely curious academically,” said Philip Bretsky.
Philip and his wife, Marian Henry, created the scholarship to honor Professor Bretsky’s legacy and encourage continued learning among students. The department where Bretsky taught is now known as the Department of Geosciences within the College of Arts and Sciences. “Since it was still a new institution, my father loved the academic freedom he had at Stony Brook,” Philip added.
David Wrobel, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, commented on the significance of the new fund: “The Peter W. Bretsky, Jr. Scholarship in Geosciences is a wonderful testament to the dedication of our late professor to the Department of Geosciences and its students. It’s a wonderful opportunity to support our undergraduate students in exploring their intellectual curiosity, just as Professor Bretsky had, through research and scholarly work in geology.”
More information about Professor Bretsky can be found in SB Matters.