Storied Commitments
Fisher Forward donors share a passion for impacting their alma mater.
Faces Moving Fisher Forward
When asked why they give, time and again Fisher donors praise the philanthropic stewardship of the University and the belief that their contributions will be soundly invested. And, they usually like to tell a story or two from their time on campus. Below, our supporters share their reasons for joining the Fisher Forward movement.
Alumni Give Back to Pay it Forward
Through the Reis-Bisor Scholarship, Jim Reis aims to pay it forward.
Through scholarship giving, John Davidson honors his time at Fisher and the education that opened doors.
Scholarship honors a legacy while supporting Fisher students.
David Pritchard ’83 gives in the name of family
He found a passion for service at Fisher, and honors that in his life's work
Despite two decades and over 1,000 miles, Class of 1994 graduates reconnect over their love of Fisher.
Donor Testimonials
Fisher gave us our start. It is where we commenced our lives and it has been paying dividends for years. That’s why you have to pay it forward. We have a responsibility to give back.
— Meghan Curtin ’96
Fisher was supportive, nurturing; we had every opportunity to succeed. We all had nice careers at the end of it. To repay that debt is a goal of mine and the best way I can do it is to support students that need an economic or some other boost.
— Dan Saperstone ’68
I can see where my Fisher experiences have contributed greatly to my own development and I am very interested in helping others have the same or similar experiences that are meaningful to them.
— Alexander Ryan ’96News and Events
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.
A newly endowed scholarship fund at St. John Fisher University will benefit undergraduate students in the School of Business, thanks to the generosity of alumnus and University Trustee Matt Rowe ’90.
With its repository of research journals, teeming stacks of books, and archival materials, Lavery Library has served the St. John Fisher University for nearly 50 years, helping countless students, faculty, and staff accomplish their scholarly pursuits. Now, the University has begun work on a multimillion-dollar modernization and renovation to the library, the largest capital project both in scope and investment in the institution’s history.
A $2.5 million gift to St. John Fisher University will ensure that its President’s Residence will continue to remain a gathering place for engagement with students, alumni, donors, and community members for many years to come.
Let’s Move Fisher Forward
By investing in Fisher Forward, you are investing in the future success of our graduates, our institution, and our community as a whole.
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