Fisher Dedicates Tepas Commons in Honor of Special Fisher Family

On the eve of Alumni Weekend, members of the campus community gathered to officially dedicate the Dennis ’72 and Denise Tepas Commons and the Terrace at Tepas Commons in honor of the Fisher family whose significant philanthropy made the transformation of the student community space possible.

Dennis Tepas, who graduated from Fisher in 1972, was very involved on campus as an undergraduate, serving as secretary and treasurer of his class. Since graduation, he has also given his time and talent for many years as an active member of the Alumni Board of Directors. During Alumni Weekend, he will celebrate his 50th reunion year with fellow classmates. The Tepas’ are members of both the 1948 Society and the Presidents Society - a demonstration of their longtime philanthropy to the University. His experiences as a student and in serving his class inspired this particular gift. 

During the dedication, Chris Biehn, vice president for institutional advancement, offered gratitude to the Tepas family for creating an invaluable space on campus.

“In addition to the incredible learning opportunities in our curriculum, these moments of connection truly make the Fisher experience what it is,” Biehn said. “The space provides flexibility to serve the many different needs of our campus community and functions much like a town square, serving as the central location for students to work, study, and gather.”

Located in the heart of the Donald E. Bain Campus Center, Tepas Commons is outfitted with comfortable sitting booths, Apple TV enabled entertainment, and a modern, cozy fireplace that creates a living room-like atmosphere for students. Just steps outside, the Terrace at Tepas Commons includes all-weather seating and is equipped with radiant heated concrete around a fire pit, enabling its use year-round.

Student Government Association President Ian Klenk remarked on all the ways Fisher students are making use of Tepas Commons, from early morning study sessions to late night chats.

“Spaces mean something special to a community. They signify more than just a room or a capital project. The choice of setup, furniture, and location all signify the culture of the community itself,” Klenk said. “As students, we recognize that this space is indicative of the campus culture that we’re proud to call our own.”