Fisher Celebrates Philanthropy in Support of Lavery Library
On Wednesday, Aug. 27, members of the St. John Fisher University community gathered to celebrate the philanthropic generosity that helped shape the Lavery Library Modernization and Renovation Project.
The largest capital project in both scope and investment in the University’s history, Fisher will officially reopen the library this week, 50 years after the library’s initial opening in 1975.
Wednesday’s gathering served as a chance to dedicate several named spaces both on the exterior and interior of the library.
“Today, we gather in a space that has long been the heart of learning at Fisher—and thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends, it now beats stronger than ever,” said President Gerard J. Rooney at the event. “Each space tells a story of commitment, of belief in our mission, and of the kind of legacy that doesn’t just live in bricks and mortar—but in minds inspired, futures shaped, and communities served.”
Rooney added that the newly named spaces serve as tributes to those who believe in the power of learning, the promise of community, and the future of Fisher.
Philanthropists who contributed to the success of the project include the late Leon Creek; the late Betsy and Christopher Ullrich; Donna and Jack DePeters; Robert and Theresa Dumas; Cathy D’Amico; Steven and Susan Barnstead; the Davenport-Hatch Foundation; Janice Loss and Dr. Derry Cohn; David and Robin Pritchard; and Edward Finnerty.
Leon Creek ’60
The late Leon Creek ’60 was a lifelong librarian. He followed his 33-year professional career at the University of Rochester Libraries with 20 years of volunteer service in the University of Kentucky Library system.
A member of the Presidents Society and 1948 Society, he made a $1.8 million estate gift to the University in support of the Fisher Forward campaign. Upon his passing in 2021, the Board of Trustees honored his passion for libraries by directing his bequest to the Lavery Library Modernization and Renovation Project. His gift funded the contracted work with Brightspot, a planning firm that specializes in creating libraries, learning commons, and other spaces to enhance the student experience at colleges and universities. The study recommended programmatic shifts in the way in which the library delivers its services today, with a focus on more coordinated services, student success, and an overall better use of the space.
During the event, Rooney shared a touching story about Creek when he called to thank him for his generosity.
“His reply was simply, ‘You’re welcome. Use it wisely.’ We believe we have used it wisely, and we think he would agree. We are forever grateful for Mr. Creek’s philanthropic support,” shared Rooney.
Christopher ’72 and Betsy Ullrich Atrium
A physical chemistry graduate of the class of 1972, Dr. Christopher Ullrich was a medical student at SUNY Upstate Medical when he met his wife, Betsy. He remained at Upstate for his residency in Diagnostic Radiology, finishing his studies with a two-year fellowship in Neuroradiology at Johns Hopkins in Boston. The couple moved to North Carolina where Ullrich worked at Charlotte Radiology for 38 years before retiring in 2020.
In 2019, Fisher inducted Ullrich into its Science and Technology Hall of Fame recognizing his noteworthy service to the radiology community.
Ullrich passed away shortly after his retirement in 2021, and Betsy Ullrich gave a gift in support of the library in his memory which created the Christopher ’72 and Betsy Ullrich Atrium. She passed away in March 2025.
The Donna DePeters K-12 Resource Collection
Donna DePeters, her husband, Jack ’73, and their daughters, Laura and Sarah, have been instrumental supporters of Fisher over the years. The DePeters have been loyal members of the Spire Society since its inception in 2017. In 2019, their generous philanthropy created the DePeters Family Center for Innovation and Teaching Excellence. In honor of their support, the DePeters were inducted into the President’s Society in May 2021. In addition, Jack DePeters has been a longtime member of the Board of Trustees, serving as chair for one term.
Their most recent gift in support of the library project has created The Donna DePeters K-12 Resource Collection. The gift reflects Donna DePeter’s passion for teaching. She was an elementary school teacher in the Greece Central School District for 30 years before retiring in 2007.
This new space is modeled after a school library, providing Fisher teacher candidates an immersive environment and resources they will use as aspiring educators. The collection is located on the third floor of the library near the grand staircase, and is a bright, vibrant space that will encourage imagination, innovation, and creativity. Students will once again have access to reading resources for early and advanced readers, and coursework material that will help them conduct research, create interactive lesson plans, and more. The space is also now home to the library’s robust collection of literature for children and young adults, including books from Donna’s own collection.
Bob ’74 and Terry Dumas Cardinals Perch, Bob ’74 and Terry Dumas Group Study Room, and Bob ’74 and Terry Dumas Patio
Bob Dumas ’74, and his wife, Terry, are current members of the University’s Spire Society as well as the 1948 Society. They established a planned gift to create the Robert F. Dumas ’74 Scholarship for students who exhibit volunteerism and service in their community.
The Dumas’ both led careers in education; Bob serving as a social studies middle school teacher in both the Albion and Brockport Central School Districts, and Terry as a French teacher in Brockport.
Their philanthropic support for the library created three named spaces including the Bob ’74 and Terry Dumas Cardinals Perch, the Bob ’74 and Terry Dumas Group Study Room, and the Bob ’74 and Terry Dumas Patio, and honors their love for education and their successful teaching careers.
John S. D’Amico Silent Study Room and John S. D’Amico Silent Study Lounge
An accounting graduate, Cathy D’Amico ’78 is a former member of the Board of Trustees and has been a steady advocate of the University. She has provided generous support to two scholarships including the Rev. Joseph A. Trovato Scholarship and The Michael W. Fedoryshyn Accounting Scholarship, in honor of a longtime accounting faculty member.
Her gift to the library has created two spaces in memory of her father including the John S. D’Amico Silent Study Room and John S. D’Amico Silent Study Lounge. Her admiration for her father and his influence on her decision to attend Fisher—as well as her career path in the world of finance—led her to honor him in this way. D’Amico also honored her father in 2011 on the University’s “Wall of Visionaries.”
Steven ’84 and Susan M. Barnstead Classroom
After graduating from Fisher in 1984, Steven Barnstead went to the Albany Law School and has enjoyed a successful law career in Elmira since 1988.
For more than three decades, Steve and his wife, Susan, have given generously to the University, with a special focus on bolstering the University’s area of greatest need fund, allowing Fisher the flexibility to direct financial resources to initiatives or activities as needed. In addition, they are founding members of the Spire Society and were inducted into the Presidents Society in 2021.
As a student, Barnstead was involved in the Student Government Association and was a leader in the Economics Club. Their gift to the library has created Steven W. ’84 and Susan M. Barnstead Classroom, a large space where students will gather both for classes and for social and leadership events.
Davenport-Hatch Career Services Suite
The Davenport-Hatch Foundation has supported Fisher for many years, helping to fund the ongoing active classroom renovation project that has transformed three of our classrooms into technology-rich environments aligned with the DePeters Family Center for Innovation and Teaching Excellence. During the Vision 2020 capital campaign, the Foundation also provided support for the Victor E. Salerno Center for American Enterprise, home to the School of Business. In addition, the Davenport-Hatch Foundation Dean’s Suite in the Salerno Center benefitted from the Foundation’s support.
The Foundation’s most recent has created the Davenport-Hatch Career Services Suite, a space where students can go to explore and pursue their career goals.
Janice C. Loss ’92 and Dr. Frederick Cohn Study Room and Loss Cohn Family Study Room
Longtime Fisher philanthropists Janice Loss ’92 and her husband, Frederick “Derry” Cohn, have made several gifts of impact through the years. Loss, president and owner of Skin Search of Rochester, Inc. and DermaSpa, Partners of Dermatology Associates of Rochester, P.C., and Cohn, a diagnostic and interventional radiologist, bring a shared passion for the sciences to their support of Fisher.
In 2003, the family founded the Robert and Janice Loss Lecture Series, named in recognition of the generosity of Janice and the late Dr. Robert Loss ’74, to promote the study of sciences among high school and college students. By 2017, another significant gift established The Loss Family Research Laboratory which has broadened access to research opportunities and high-impact experiences for both students and faculty. As members of the Spire Society, they have also established the Dr. Frederick Cohn Endowed Scholarship in the Natural Sciences as well as The Robert and Janice Loss Science Scholarship. Just as impactful as her philanthropic support, Janice has given of her time and has served as a member of the University’s Board of Trustees since 2016.
In recognition of their gift to the library project, students will enjoy two new spaces to elevate their studies in the Janice C. Loss ’92 and Dr. Frederick Cohn Study Room and the Loss Cohn Family Study Room.
Pritchard Family Seminar Room
Business management graduate David Pritchard ’83, and his wife, Robin, are active in the life of campus today. Their support of the library project has created a large group study space named the Pritchard Family Seminar Room.
Pritchard, who serves as president and COO of Gorbel, Inc., is a member of the Family Business Program Steering Committee and the Dean’s Leadership Circle in the School of Business. In honor of his sustained contributions to Fisher and the School of Business, Pritchard was given the Dean’s Medal for Outstanding Service in 2019, an award that honors the exemplary and sustained contributions of individuals in service to the University and the School of Business.
The Pritchards are also proud parents of 2019 Fisher alumna, Nicole, who graduated from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education and today teaches in the Rush-Henrietta School District.
Loyal Spire Society members, the Pritchards have positively impacted the annual funds of the School of Business and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education. Their support has also established the Pritchard Family Endowed Scholarship for Business, the Pritchard Family Current Restricted Scholarship for Education, and the Pritchard Family Endowed Scholarship for Education.
Edward P. Finnerty, Esq. ’73 Study Room
A political science graduate, Edward Finnerty ’73 has led a successful career in law - maintaining a private practice in Lake Placid and now as bank counsel at Champlain National Bank. Prior to moving into the role of bank counsel, he served as loan production and quality control manager and became vice president of the bank in 2005. His gift created the Edward P. Finnerty, Esq. ’73 Study Room.
At the event, Fisher also recognized Justin Hamilton and Christopher Stern, principals of Hamilton Stern Construction; Quay Thompson, principal of HOLT Architects for their vital partnership in this historic project, and Tom Wahl for his support of the dedication event.
The event also included a prayer from Rev. George Smith, CSB, the William and Helen Cavanaugh Endowed Chair of Catholic Studies, before a toast and closing remarks from Rooney.
“On behalf of our students, faculty, and staff, thank you once again to tonight’s honorees for your support of the Lavery Library Modernization and Renovation Project and for your belief in moving Fisher Forward,” he said. “Your philanthropy has enabled us to enliven our mission and to greatly impact the students we are privileged to have the opportunity to serve.”