About Fisher Forward
There has never been a better time to build upon our past to help secure our future.
Move Fisher Forward
The narrative of St. John Fisher University chronicles steady growth and broadening impact since our beginning, nearly 75 years ago. While respectful of our history and traditions, Fisher has always kept its focus keenly on the future, anticipating and responding to the changes in society that bring new opportunities to our students. Our success is dependent upon the generosity of our alumni, friends, and community – essential partners of St. John Fisher University. Students, programs, and the Fisher campus will be empowered by this generosity to support and drive innovation, programming, and the future, expanding the impact of this work broadly throughout the community and beyond.
Campaign Leaders
Wayne and Beverly LeChase are loyal and longtime donors of St. John Fisher University. Wayne, chairman of LeChase, served on the Board of Trustees from 1991-2015 and today is a member of the Trustee Emeriti Society.
St. John Fisher University
President Rooney took office in 2015 after having served as the University's executive vice president for enrollment, advancement, and planning. Dr. Rooney has been a member of the Fisher family for over two decades and is the proud parent of two Fisher alumni.
News and Events
A new $600,000 gift to the Wegmans School of Pharmacy will continue to support scholarships and technology for incoming students to the Doctor of Pharmacy program.
This year, 1,013 donors raised more than $720,000 during the sixth annual I Heart Fisher Giving Day. Held on Thursday, March 20, the celebration of philanthropy supports students and programs at St. John Fisher University.
Throughout the spring, alumni have gathered at a series of regional receptions in Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Florida.
Three gifts to St. John Fisher University totaling more than $700,000 will enrich Fisher’s Urban Scholarship. Launched in 2020, the $40,000 scholarship is available to students enrolling in the University who resides in the City of Rochester. Since its inception, the Urban Scholars Program has helped to increase the number of students from the city of Rochester benefiting from a Fisher education.
A $1 million gift from Jack ’73 and Donna DePeters will create an interactive space designed specifically for education majors in the newly modernized Lavery Library, expected to be complete in summer 2025.
During a ceremony held on Saturday, Oct. 19, members of the St. John Fisher University community gathered to celebrate 25 years of Dugan Yard, cut the ribbon on the newly opened Player Development Center, and recognize Kevin ’70 and Peggy Dugan, whose decades of philanthropy turned the area from a single baseball field in the early 2000s to the world-class complex it has become today.
A new endowed scholarship will support graduates of Rochester’s Catholic high schools as they pursue higher education at St. John Fisher University.