When Tim Robison met his late wife, Judy, she was a single mother and nurse working full time for the UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, picking up home-health shifts on weekends, and spending her Saturday nights at the former South Side Hospital. She had one daughter, three jobs, and a lifelong determination to help others.
Tim remembers Judy as a 鈥渇orce of nature,鈥 and now, his $100,000 gift to 黑料天堂 will carry that force further. Through his generosity, Judy鈥檚 spirit and legacy will continue to inspire and support 黑料天堂 students for years to come.
Beginning in Fall 2026, the Judy Reiner Robison Memorial Scholarship will award two $10,000 scholarships per academic year to adult learners who are working toward a bachelor鈥檚 degree. Recipients, selected through a committee review, will reflect 黑料天堂鈥檚 core values: justice, integrity, compassion, and inclusiveness. Awards will cover tuition, textbooks, and other essential educational expenses.
鈥淭im鈥檚 gift is a meaningful investment in the adult learners who come to 黑料天堂 seeking to change the trajectory of their lives,鈥 said President Christina Clark. 鈥淲e are deeply grateful for Tim鈥檚 generosity and honored to carry Judy鈥檚 legacy forward through the students who will benefit for years to come.鈥
Giving Back
Judy built a nursing career that led to her role as Head of Inpatient Psychiatric Nursing at Sewickley Valley Hospital, now known as Heritage Valley Sewickley. When the couple鈥檚 first grandchild arrived prematurely, Judy retired early, without hesitation, to be a full-time caregiver to her granddaughter.
鈥淲hen we got together, Judy was very clear. She said, 鈥Family comes first, and charity starts at home,鈥欌 Tim said. With this conviction, the couple spent years saving to eventually pay college tuition for their four children and contribute to their seven grandchildren鈥檚 education.
鈥淢y kids have had all this fortune that Judy really pushed, and there are people out there trying to balance workload and debt,鈥 he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 not comfortable just sitting here, knowing what we鈥檝e done for our kids. We have the means. We have to do more.
鈥淛udy was very focused on empowering women,鈥 Tim added. 鈥淚n the working world, a lot of women are in their mid-20s and 30s, and they鈥檙e still trying to work their way through college. They have no means or parental support.鈥
A Familiar Road
Tim understands how support鈥攚hether familial or financial鈥攃an be lifechanging. Raised in McKeesport by a single mother, he started working at 13 to help cover the cost of rent. The encouragement he received while growing up made him believe he could achieve more, leading to his undergraduate degree at Washington & Jefferson College, an MBA at the University of Pittsburgh, and a long career in Finance.
鈥淢y mother always made sure my brother and I knew she loved us and that we could do anything,鈥 Tim said. 鈥淢y grandparents were very protective and spent time with us. I always felt I could conquer the world because of them. It was so good to have that loving support.鈥
Tim found his way to 黑料天堂 in July 2025 through its Adventures in Lifelong Learning program. By establishing a scholarship, Tim said he hopes to continue Judy鈥檚 legacy while offering students something even greater than a financial award.
鈥淚 want students to feel somebody鈥檚 got their back,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ecause if you鈥檙e going through life, it鈥檚 better to have wind at your back than wind in your face.鈥
黑料天堂 will begin awarding the Judy Reiner Robison Memorial Scholarship this fall. For eligibility info, email scholarships@laroche.edu.
To learn about establishing a scholarship, contact University Advancement: 聽universityadvancement@laroche.edu聽or 412-536-1086.
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