If the first-ever Fisher Impact Day in 2015 represented an opportunity for Fisher to test the waters for a college-wide service event, then the 2017 version was a headfirst dive into community service.

More than 560 students, faculty and staff recently spent a chilly Saturday morning giving back to the community through various service projects at 20 sites throughout central Ohio. An additional 157 individuals participated in the Fisher Cares and Fisher Serves 5K and 10K races, held immediately following Impact Day. In all, 719 participants and volunteers came together to give back during the day of service.

“The tremendous participation and support of Fisher Impact Day and the 5K and 10K races demonstrates the commitment our students, faculty and staff have to making our community healthier, safer and a better place to live and work,” said Anil K. Makhija, dean and John W. Berry, Sr. Chair in Business. “A large part of our purpose as a college is to develop leaders who contribute to business as well as to the communities we call home. I couldn’t be more proud to see the enthusiasm with which our entire college embraced this opportunity to serve.”

Organized and conducted by students in Fisher’s Honors Cohort program, Impact Day connected students, faculty and staff with opportunities to give back at organizations including:

  • Clarfield Urban Farm
  • The Pack Shack
  • Furniture Hut
  • The Ronald McDonald House
  • The Godman Guild
  • Salem Baptist Church
  • Goodwill Columbus
  • Soldiers' Angels
  • The James Cancer Hospital
  • Star House
  • Matthew 25
  • Westerville Area Resource Ministry
  • My Very Own Blanket


“I believe in the concept of Fisher Impact Day — bringing faculty, staff and students together as a team to do charitable work,” said Bonnie Schroeder, a senior lecturer in the Department of Management Sciences. “I think it is important that we encourage social responsibility and service, and that we lead by example. Fisher Impact Day provides the opportunity for the entire college to be involved in service activities with students and faculty working side-by-side.

“I participated in Fisher Impact Day in 2015 and really enjoyed the experience. I was buoyed by both the gratification that comes with knowing you are helping someone in need and the energy of the students who participated.”

Volunteers helped with a number of service projects, including preparing a garden at Godman Guild, a neighborhood betterment organization in Columbus; packing 30,000 meals for the hungry with The Pack Shack; and making 200 blankets for sick and foster children as part of the My Very Own Blanket program.

2017 Fisher Impact Day

“I’m impressed with the level of positive enthusiasm from the Fisher students, especially considering it was cold outside,” said Terry Althouse, director of community engagement and health and wellness at Godman Guild. “Everyone was willing and happy to do whatever was asked. They’re an impressive group of folks.”

For Rena Ferrara, Fisher Impact Day was a way for the college to show that there’s more to business education than curriculum and classroom projects.

“This shows how important it is to give back as the Fisher community,” she said. “We pride ourselves on what we’re doing for others, not just what we’re doing for ourselves.”

The Fisher 5K and 10K races were organized by the student organizations Fisher Cares and Fisher Serves. This year’s annual races raised money and awareness for the Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO).

“It’s nice to see that Fisher is a lot more than just going to class; you’re actually helping other people at Ohio State,” said Jon Koval, a second-year finance major. “I was impressed with the level of support throughout the college — from the students, the faculty and all the way up to the dean.”

Fisher Impact Day 3
Fisher students help plant a garden at Godman Guild as part of the 2017 Fisher Impact Day.