With Events, Exhibits, and More, Fisher Marks 75th Anniversary in 2023

January 17, 2023

In 2023, St. John Fisher University celebrates an important milestone: the 75th anniversary of its founding. Over the next year, the University will mark the occasion through a series of special events and other commemorative efforts and activities.

A hawk perches on the Kearney Steeple.

“Anniversaries give us occasion to relive, retell, and share our stories – whether personal or institutional, to reflect on what is important, recall milestones, celebrate our accomplishments, and develop plans for the future,” said Dr. Gerard J. Rooney, president of the University, during his opening remarks at the Spring 2023 Convocation. “At our founding, and now 75 years later, we are focused on creating a transformational educational experience for our students. That is the work we do today and the work we plan for as we look toward the future.”

Celebrating 75

An anniversary website sharing historical information, photography, video content, and special event details was unveiled earlier today, on the first day of classes in the spring semester and will be updated throughout the year. Across campus, signage and collateral will feature a special logo celebrating the anniversary year. A commemorative book, with an anticipated publish date in December, will include narratives based on interviews with a variety of University constituents, photography, and history of Fisher.

In addition, throughout the year, a variety of events will highlight the anniversary. Alumni gatherings will take place around the country and the popular First Friday Lecture Series will return in both the spring and fall semesters. On June 22, the Feast of St. John Fisher, a special event will feature a historical exhibit and celebrations of philanthropy that have moved Fisher forward. Finally, University-wide service projects will kick-off in the spring semester, with opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to get involved and make a collective impact.

A 75th Anniversary Committee—comprised of students, faculty, staff, and alumni—will lead the planning and recognition efforts throughout the year. Members of the committee include: Jennifer Benson, member, Alumni Board of Directors; Chris Biehn, vice president for institutional advancement; Lynn Donahue, assistant director for the Institute for Civic and Community Engagement; Nate Driscoll ’06, president, Alumni Board of Directors; Brock Glann, assistant director for the Office of Safety and Security; Chad Goulette, director of technology support services; Jen Granger, associate athletic director; Nancy Greco, University archivist; Norm Kieffer, director of development; Kathy Leone, events and reservations coordinator; Christina Maldanado, catering manager; Matt Miller, media services team leader; Libby Pinti, associate director for first-year admissions; Katie Sabourin, director for the DePeters Family Center for Innovation and Teaching Excellence; Maherly Schaeffer, associate director for advancement communication; Fr. George Smith, CSB, visiting professor of religious studies; Kate Torok, director for the Office of Marketing and Communications; Jenna Vinoya, vice president of the Student Government Association; and Dr. Theresa Westbay, associate professor of biology.

To learn more about Fisher’s history, or to stay up to date on yearlong events, visit the 75th Anniversary website.