Philanthropy Supports Two Endowed Scholarships

A gift from former Fisher parents, given in memory of their daughter, established a scholarship for education students with a passion for community service, while another gift from an accounting alumnus created a scholarship for students pursuing the same path.

Eileen and James Rickard gave a gift to support the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education in memory of their daughter, Kelly Rickard Napier ’08, a special education graduate who enjoyed and embraced her Fisher experience. A Service Scholar, Rickard Napier dedicated hundreds of hours throughout her time as a Fisher student in the Rochester community. On campus, she also served as co-chair and chair of the American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay for Life, raising a record ­setting amount in her final year at Fisher. The Kelly Rickard Napier ’08 Memorial Endowed Scholarship is awarded to education majors who are involved in community service.

The Richard W. McGrath ’75 Endowed Accounting Scholarship is given to junior or senior accounting majors who demonstrate a commitment to community service and involvement.

Upon graduating from Fisher, McGrath quickly built a career, and in five short years, he became a partner at Sammons, Walk, McGrath & Thaney. By 1983, the firm name changed to Walker, McGrath & Thaney, and he remained with the organization for the next decade. In 1993, he made the move to open his own practice, Richard W. McGrath, CPA, PC, where he was sole practitioner for the next three decades. In 2023, he merged with regional firm MMB+Co. He has served the Rochester community by giving his time to the boards of several organizations, including the Al Sigl Community of Agencies, Arts & Cultural Council, Rochester Cemetery Heritage Foundation, and more. He also has a long history of service to Fisher, including his time as a past member of the Accounting Advisory Board, the Trustee’s Council, and the Accounting Awards Banquet Committee. In the 1980s, he sat on the Fisher Alumni Board of Directors, serving as both vice chair and chair, and general chair of the alumni fund drive. He taught as an adjunct professor for three years and is a member of the Spire Society and the 1948 Society. He was the 2025 recipient of the Accounting Alumnus of the Year Award.