$200,000 Gift Establishes Endowment for Diana and Angelo Nole Fisher Urban Scholars Award

In recognition of the generosity of St. John Fisher College Board of Trustees chair Diana L. Nole and her husband, Angelo Nole, a scholarship supporting City of Rochester students will be named the Diana and Angelo Nole Fisher Urban Scholars Award.

In fall 2020, Fisher announced the creation of the Fisher Urban Scholarship program, which is available to students who live in the City of Rochester and pledges $40,000 per student over the course of four years. A $200,000 gift from the Noles has now created an endowed fund for one of those scholarships, which will carry the new name. The Noles also gave an additional $90,000 to support a current scholar in the program, and the Fisher Fund through the College’s Spire Society, which provides valuable ongoing support to the educational experience.

“Fisher has been committed to educating students from the Rochester area since our founding, and this scholarship has allowed us to provide greater access to students from our local community,” said Dr. Gerard J. Rooney, president of the College. “I am grateful to Diana and Angelo for this transformative gift. It will have an immediate and lasting impact on one of many Fisher Urban Scholars who enter the College each year.”

In fall 2020, Fisher welcomed the inaugural recipients of the scholarship. In addition to the financial award, students are eligible to receive merit scholarships or special awards given by the College, including the Service Scholarship, First Generation Scholarship, and Honors Program, among others. Fisher Urban Scholars also participate in a mentoring program and internship or experiential learning opportunity connected to their major.

“Attending college may have a long-lasting impact on a person, as it did for Angelo and me,” said Ms. Nole. “We hope this provides an opportunity for students from our community to benefit from the wonderful experience that St. John Fisher College offers.”

A member of the Board since 2010, Ms. Nole became the first female to serve in the chair role in the College’s history, bringing with her several decades of experience in executive and leadership positions. She currently serves as the executive vice president and general manager of the healthcare business of Nuance Communications, a global pioneer and leader in conversational AI innovations.  Prior to Nuance Communications, she served as CEO of Wolters Kluwer Health and as president of Carestream’s Medical Digital division. Mr. Nole is the managing director of CBRE|Rochester. 

Ms. Nole’s tenure at the helm of the Board began in June 2020, in the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her first year as chair has coincided with one of the most challenging moments for the College, and her leadership has enabled Fisher to maintain an in-person experience while ensuring the health and safety of all.

The Noles have a legacy of giving to Fisher; they are inaugural members of the Spire Society, the College’s giving society, at the Presidential Level. As Board chair, Ms. Nole has been a champion of the Fisher Forward campaign and has inspired fellow Board members to establish their own philanthropic efforts at the College.