What’s in a Name: Fisher becomes a University
On the cusp of its 75th anniversary, 香港六合彩网址大全 Fisher College has become in name what it has been in practice for more than a decade—香港六合彩网址大全 Fisher University.
President Gerard J. Rooney, joined by Board of Trustees Chair Tom Bowles 鈥�71, revealed Fisher鈥檚 new status and logo during a celebratory event held on Monday, June 20. The date also marked the 73rd anniversary of the institution鈥檚 groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Kearney Hall, Fisher鈥檚 original building.
鈥淭his is a momentous occasion,鈥� said Bowles. 鈥淯niversity designation is a recognition of all we have accomplished over the last several decades.鈥�
Fisher鈥檚 decision follows the New York State Board of Regents鈥� new definition of 鈥渦niversity,鈥� which requires institutions of higher education to offer 鈥渞egistered undergraduate and graduate curricula in the liberal arts and sciences, including graduate programs registered in at least three of the following discipline areas: agriculture, biological sciences, business, education, engineering, fine arts, health professions, humanities, physical sciences, and social sciences.鈥� The Board of Regents approved Fisher鈥檚 university status during its meeting on Tuesday, June 14.
Fisher has long fit the new definition. In the early 2000s, two doctoral programs鈥攖he Doctor of Pharmacy and the Doctor of Education in Executive Leadership鈥攚ere added to its academic portfolio, which paved the way for the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to reclassify it as a Doctoral/Research University (now Doctoral/Professional University) in 2010. Since that time, Fisher has awarded more than 3,400 master鈥檚 degrees and nearly 1,600 doctoral degrees.
鈥淔isher鈥檚 university designation adds to our rich history of institutional achievements and accomplishments. It will convey greater prestige, allow us to build our reputation and impact, and better represent the type of institution we are today,鈥� Rooney said.
For nearly two decades, The Commission on Independent Colleges & Universities in New York (CICU) has been advocating with the State Education Department and the Board of Regents to amend their rules governing an institution鈥檚 use of 鈥淯niversity鈥� in its name. Fisher participated in that work.
Diana Nole, past chair of the Board of Trustees and longtime member of the Board, was supportive of Fisher鈥檚 advocacy throughout her tenure at the Board鈥檚 helm, noting that as the institution has evolved and adapted, it has expanded its capabilities and strengthened its resilience. The results, she said, are well-rounded alumni ready to serve their communities.
鈥淥ur reputation is built around quality students who have learned how important it is to serve the community and welcome diversity, curiosity, and ongoing learning, all of which produces a rich individual,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ur status is a natural evolution of who we have become.鈥�
The Arc of Fisher鈥檚 History
Fr. Kevin Storey, CSB, superior general of Basilian Order, reflected on the founders鈥� early vision for an institution of higher education that would serve young Catholic men from the Rochester area. In Fisher鈥檚 history, more than 80 Basilian Fathers have served in various capacities at the institution鈥攁s presidents, campus chaplains, and faculty and staff members鈥� but most importantly as visionary leaders who fostered a sense of community and family.
鈥淥ur founders were not wallflowers,鈥� said Storey. 鈥淭hey dreamed big and saw a property that could be utilized for the education of students in Rochester and beyond. In that sense, I think the founders would be delightfully surprised but I don鈥檛 know if they would be shocked beyond measure at how much Fisher has grown and flourished,鈥� he said.
鈥淭his is a moment worth celebrating, and not just as a time mark, but as a real vision mark. Fisher becoming a university coinciding with its 75th anniversary is a lovely moment of celebration.鈥�
As a member of the Pioneer Class, Jack Palvino 鈥�55 recalls watching the steeple go up on Kearney Hall, which had no windows when students started classes in September 1951. After graduation, Palvino remained an active member of the campus community, serving for many years on the Board of Trustees. He noted that Fisher鈥檚 evolution was bolstered with the introduction of a new MBA program in 1983 which led the Board of Regents to approve the College鈥檚 charter change from an undergraduate to graduate degree-granting institution.
In the 1990s, Palvino recalled that then-president, Dr. Katherine Keough expressed an interest in transitioning to a university. The timing wasn鈥檛 right, but that didn鈥檛 stop Fisher from propelling forward into the future.
鈥淲e鈥檝e grown so magnificently since our humble beginnings as a little college on the hill, which attracted 108 of us back in 1951,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e could have never conceived of the wonderful expansion and growth of Fisher to where it is today. From classmates who become family to the camaraderie of alumni, there is a real spirit at Fisher that not all schools have.鈥�
President Emeritus Dr. Donald Bain, who succeeded Keough as president, said that Fisher had been operating as a 鈥渦niversity鈥� for the better part of the last century, with several pillars of focus contributing to its evolution.
鈥淭here are constant themes that run through the broad arc of Fisher鈥檚 history,鈥� Bain said. 鈥淎cross the institution鈥檚 leadership there has been a willingness and ability to create programs that are attractive to students, sustainable, and serve the interest of the community, and our faculty have played a big role in meeting the intellectual and scholarly needs of students.鈥�
Current Board Chair Bowles, who has served as a Trustee since 1993, credited Fisher鈥檚 substantial growth over the years to innovative academic offerings, directed philanthropy, and talented administration, faculty, and staff.
鈥淔isher has always embraced the student experience,鈥� Bowles explained. 鈥淲e have stayed true to our mission and purpose, and that has allowed us to be successful. You can see that in the consistent enrollment and retention of students and in the career successes of our alumni.鈥�
From College Student to University Graduate
As leaders of the Student Government Association (SGA), current undergraduates Ian Klenk 鈥�24 and Jenna Vinoya 鈥�24 played a role in helping Fisher talk about the change with students across campus. Both are supportive of the transition, seeing expanded opportunities that the prestige of a university moniker can provide.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not often during your college experience that you can be a part of such a big change,鈥� said Vinoya. 鈥淎nd this is one of the reasons I joined SGA. I wanted to be a voice for students and implement changes that can affect positive change on campus. I鈥檓 excited for the transition. It signifies a new mark and shows who we are in a new light.鈥�
Klenk was able to attend the campus celebration as the student representative on stage. For him, regardless of the name, Fisher鈥檚 strong community of people will continue to shine through.
鈥淭his is an incredible campus where students from all around the region and beyond are able to find a really safe, loving, supportive community,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hen I think about the interactions I have had with professors and my friends they have been some of the most transformative conversations I have had in my life; Fisher is just really special in that we have this supportive community.鈥�
Remaining True to Fisher鈥檚 Mission
During the announcement, Rooney alluded to the fact that Fisher will remain committed to delivering a student-centered education while serving the best interests of the surrounding community鈥攎aking an impact locally and, as its reputation increases, throughout the country and the world.
鈥淎s we embark on our seventy-fifth anniversary as 香港六合彩网址大全 Fisher University, we will continue to make our students and alumni proud,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s a university, we will have greater opportunities to grow and develop the Fisher experience in ways that will help us produce graduates that will not only have successful careers, but will make positive contributions to the communities in which they live.鈥�