A Message from President Gerard J. Rooney

I hope your students have found their spring semester to be one full of growth and opportunities.

You, and they, should celebrate their accomplishments both in and out of the classroom, and be proud to know that they join a legacy of successful students and alumni.

This year is a special one for the College; 70 years ago, through the combined efforts of the Basilian Fathers, Bishop James E. Kearney of the Diocese of Rochester, local business leaders, and members of Catholic parishes in Rochester, the inaugural fund drive to establish St. John Fisher College was successfully completed. The following year, in June 1949, ground was broken for the construction of Kearney Hall, and in fall 1951, our first class of students arrived.

And so began our story.

We have experienced remarkable growth and physical campus development in the College's first 70 years. We have celebrated nearly 30,000 graduates who distinguish themselves and their alma mater through their work and community commitments – values they learned and strengthened at Fisher. We have had a significant impact on the economic and social well-being of Rochester, Monroe County, and surrounding regions of Western New York and have remained focused on the local area in our collective work. And, we continue to provide an intellectually engaging and student-centered educational experience for the students we have the opportunity to serve today.

The Reverend Hugh J. Haffey, CSB, served as the Executive Director of St. John Fisher College at its founding and led the initial fund drive. In the final chapter of his book, Beginnings of St. John Fisher College, he wrote, “As one who had a hand in getting a college started, I would single out the notion of ‘compassion’ as the necessary distinguishing and continuing feature of the great college: compassion on the part of administrators and teachers toward the students; compassion on the part of the students for each other.”

Each day, Fisher's faculty, staff, and students work together to bring about Fr. Haffey’s notion of a great college.

Thanks to you, our families, for your continuing support of the College and of your students. As always, please let me know if I can be of assistance to you or your student.

Kind regards,

Gerard J. Rooney, Ph.D.
President