St. John Fisher University (originally St. John Fisher College) was founded as a men's college in 1948 by the Basilian Fathers and with the aid of James E. Kearney, then the Bishop of the Diocese of Rochester. It is now operated as an independent institution in the Catholic tradition (independent since 1968), and coeducational (since 1971).
In 2015, St. John Fisher College applied for and received the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the New England Resource Center for Higher Education (NERCHE).[2]
The college was listed as a census-designated place in 2020.[3] In 2022, the college was renamed St. John Fisher University.[4]
Fisher is made up of five schools. It offers nearly 40 undergraduate majors, as well as a variety of master's and doctoral programs.
School of Arts and Sciences
The School of Arts and Sciences is the largest school within St. John Fisher University. It offers degrees and minors in over 20 undergraduate academic disciplines.[8]
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education
The school is named after Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., the founding owner of the NFL's Buffalo Bills. It is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and offers undergraduate degrees in Inclusive Adolescence Education and Inclusive Childhood Education. It also offers a master's degree and initial certification program for those areas. Teachers already holding initial certification can earn graduate degrees and professional certification in Literacy Education (B-6 and 5–12), Special Education, and Educational Leadership, as well as an accelerated Doctor of Education in Executive Leadership.
The School of Education is active in community outreach programs including a literacy center that provides tutoring and small group instruction in literacy for elementary through high school students. The School of Education works closely with local school districts including the Rochester City School District, which hosts a number of Professional Development Sites where practicing teachers and pre-service teachers work alongside education faculty to develop best practices.[9]
School of Business
Fisher's business programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). When this accreditation was gained, all business programs at the University were brought together in 2003 to form the school's first professional school, the School of Business.
Wegmans School of Pharmacy
The Wegmans School of Pharmacy is one of eight pharmacy schools in New York State and is the first pharmacy school in the Greater Rochester community. It opened in fall 2006 and became fully accredited in May 2010. It awards a Doctor of Pharmacy degree to candidates who successfully complete four years of professional study.
The school was made possible by a $5 million gift from the late Robert Wegman, who served for many years as president of Wegmans Food Markets.
The university also offers an online RN to BSN program, master's degrees in both Nursing and Mental Health Counseling, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
Scholarships
Nearly all first-year students receive some form of financial assistance. Need-based and merit-based scholarships, as well as grants, loans, and part-time employment, are available for eligible students. Two unique scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen.
During the 2014–15 season, St. John Fisher won Empire 8 championships for men's indoor track & field, men's basketball, women's basketball, men's outdoor track & field, men's golf, and women's lacrosse.[10]
Growney Stadium is home to Fisher's football, field hockey, soccer, and lacrosse teams. The stadium's all-weather playing field has lighting and a 2,500 seat grandstand. The Manning & Napier Varsity Gymnasium is home to the men's and women's basketball teams. Dugan Yard is Fisher's baseball field. Other outdoor facilities include the Polisseni Track and Field Complex, regulation-sized practice fields (which serve as the home rugby fields), and a softball diamond.
In 2006, Fisher's football team finished the season with a 12–2 record overall and shared the Empire 8 Conference title. Fisher received an at-large bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament, in which they defeated Union College, Springfield College, and Rowan University to reach the national semifinals, which they lost to Mount Union College, the defending national champions, by a score of 26–14.
In 2007, Fisher's men's basketball team won the Empire 8 Conference title for the 5th consecutive year and the 6th time in seven years. In 2006, Fisher advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Men's Division III Basketball Championship Tournament.
The women's basketball program was led for 34 seasons by Phil Kahler, who posted a career record of 797 wins (the most in Division III history) and 175 losses with a career winning percentage of .821. Under Kahler, the women's basketball program reached the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament 14 times and played in the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship game in 1988 and 1990. Kahler retired shortly before the start of the 2008–09 basketball season and was replaced on the bench by Marianne O'Connor Ermi, his top assistant coach for 20 seasons. The women's basketball team is now led by Melissa Kuberka who was hired as a head coach before the 2017-18 season.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp
Since 2000, St. John Fisher University has been home to the Buffalo Bills' NFL summer training camp.[11][12]
Student life
Many campus clubs and organizations are available to students.[13] Four of the major organizations on campus include the Student Government Association, the Student Activities Board, the Residence Hall Association, and Commuter Council.
Other clubs include music groups, Greek-lettered organizations, language clubs, cultural organizations, student publications, and intramural sports. Many academic departments also sponsor clubs. Fisher students can contribute to the community through a variety of service organizations including Students With a Vision and Colleges Against Cancer. Numerous service projects occur each year including Project Community Convergence, Relay for Life, the Giant Read, and the Sweetheart Ball.
The Office of Campus Ministry offers faith-based programs and activities to students of all faith traditions regardless of religious tradition or spiritual beliefs.[14]
Teddi Dance for Love
The Annual Teddi Dance for Love is a 24 hour dance marathon started by Lou Buttino in 1983 that benefits Camp Good Days and Special Times.[15][16] This project funds a trip to Florida for the children of Camp Good Days and has raised over $1.8 million since its inception.[17]
John “JR” Rickert, sports agent, chief operating officer of Authentic Athletix Sports Agency's East Coast Offices, and the owner of JR Sports Enterprises. Additionally, he is a former high school teacher and coach, and the current principal of Niskayuna High School.
