Milestone Moments
From the farmland that would become Fisher to transforming to a University, take a look back at Fisher's milestone moments.
Through the Decades
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1940s
1948, the farmland parcel of future St. John Fisher College 1947
At the invitation of Bishop James E. Kearney, the Basilian Fathers purchased a 70-acre site for the creation of a Catholic liberal arts college for men.
1948
St. John Fisher College was chartered with the stated goal of educating men in the liberal arts, sciences, and commerce.
Fundraising efforts begin to support the institution.
1949
Reverend John A. Murphy, CSB, is appointed president by Reverend Edmund J. McCorkell, CSB, Superior General of the Basilian Fathers.
Groundbreaking of the administration building, later to be named Kearney Hall.
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1950s
1955, Pioneer Class Commencement 1951
The College opened its doors to the Pioneer Class, consisting of 110 men. The Administration Building, Kearney Hall, was the only building on campus.
Provisional Charter, New York State, signed.
1955
The State Board of Regents awarded Fisher an absolute charter to grant the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Business Administration.
The Pioneer Class graduated.
1956
Fisher fielded its first intercollegiate athletic team—golf.
Enrollment grows to 425.
1957
Fisher is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
1958
Chemistry building erected, later to be named Pioch Hall.
Rev. Charles Lavery, CSB, is inaugurated as second president, succeeding Fr. John Murphy, CSB.
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1960s
1969, aerial photo of campus 1960
The first image of the Cardinal as a bird used to represent the College, on the front page of The Pioneer.
The Alma Mater is performed for the first time by the Fisher Glee Club.
1962
The Admissions Office is established for student recruitment.
1963
Ward Hall opens, named for benefactor Sarah Ward.
Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Bobby Wanzer is named first full-time athletic director.
1964
Basil Hall opens.
Athletic Center opens.
1966
Haffey Hall, named for founder Rev. Hugh Haffey, CSB, opens.
1968
St. John Fisher College became independent. A lay Board of Trustees assumed ownership and control of the College.
Murray Hall opens.
Science Building opens (later named Joseph Skalny Science Center).
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1970s
1971, six of the first women admitted as Fisher students 1970
Student radio station, WJFC begins broadcasting.
1971
The first women students were admitted to Fisher as full-time undergraduates and begin taking classes in the fall semester.
1972
First woman, Carol Worth, earns a Fisher degree.
1975
Lavery Library opens and is dedicated to Rev. Charles Lavery, CSB, second President.
1978
Student Life Center opens, expanding the Athletic Center.
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1980s
1982, the Teddi Dance for Love in Kearney Hall 1980
Rev. Patrick O. Braden, CSB becomes third president of St. John Fisher College.
Rev. Charles J. Lavery, CSB, becomes chancellor.
Fisher purchases the Basilian House of Studies from the Basilians, and renames it Michaelhouse Hall.
1981
Fisher football team wins National Collegiate Football Association Championship.
1982
The first Teddi Dance for Love was held to benefit Camp Good Days and Special Times.
1983
MBA program is introduced, Fisher's first graduate program.
1986
William L. Pickett, Ph.D., named the fourth president, and is the first lay president of the institution.
Rochester House opens, later dedicated as Dorsey Hall.
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1990s
1996, President Katherine E. Keough 1992
Athletic Hall of Fame holds its first induction ceremony.
1996
Katherine E. Keough, Ed.D. named fifth president, Fisher's first female president.
Service Scholars program is announced.
1998
Fisher celebrates 50th anniversary.
The former Botsford property, located to the north of Basil Hall, is purchased.
1999
Growney Stadium opens.
Renovation of the academic corridor includes upgrades to Pioch Hall, Basil Hall, and Skalny Science Center.
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2000s
2000, Buffalo Bills Training Camp comes to Fisher 2000
Buffalo Bills Training Camp moves to Fisher.
Science Center renamed Joseph S. Skalny Science Center.
2001, 2002
Dugan Baseball Yard opens.
The School of Business is the first school created. Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education follows.
Founders Hall opens.
2004, 2005
Donald E. Bain, Ph.D. named sixth president.
Campus Center and Keough Hall open.
2006, 2007
Wegmans School of Pharmacy opens.
Wegmans School of Nursing opens.
2009
Joseph S. Skalny Welcome Center opens.
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2010s
2017, the Hermance Family Chapel of St. Basil the Great 2011
Fisher is reclassified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching from a Master’s Institution to a Doctoral/Research University Institution.
Polisseni Track and Field Complex opens.
2012
The Wegmans School of Nursing launched an Online RN-to-BS in Nursing Program, the College’s first fully online program.
2013
Victor E. Salerno Center for American Enterprise opens, home to the School of Business.
William J. Pellicano Pavilion opens.
2015
Gerard J. Rooney, Ph.D., is named seventh president.
Fisher receives the 2015 Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement.
2017
Hermance Family Chapel of St. Basil the Great and the Upper Quad Residence Hall open.
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2020s
2022, the announcement of St. John Fisher University 2020
Fisher offers first fully online graduate program with the Pharm.D. program in the Wegmans School of Pharmacy.
Wegmans School of Nursing offers fully-online Master of Science in Nursing degree.
2022
Officially named St. John Fisher University.
DePeters Family Center for Innovation and Teaching Excellence, Dennis ’72 and Denise Tepas Commons and Terrace at Tepas Commons, and Joseph Pellicano Wrestling Pavilion open.