Dana Nicole Fischer, my daughter, was born on March 18, 2002. She made us all proud on May 4, 2024, when she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Pennsylvania State University. I graduated from Penn State in 1986 with a degree in Political Science. As a lifetime member of The Penn State Alumni Association, it gives me an extra layer of satisfaction that my daughter will continue my legacy of supporting our alma mater.
Legacy. It’s funny how life events can trigger thoughts about how you’ll be remembered, what you’ll leave to people and, more importantly, what you’ll leave in them.
With that in mind, I asked Nicole (she prefers to use her middle name) what she thought I had helped to instill in her. She listed some of the following.
- How to save money and not to overspend. As a financial advisor, I found that one quite gratifying.
- A love of Penn State. As a fellow Nittany Lion, I’m proud.
- To never quit or give up. As someone who knows the rewards of chasing dreams with all the vigor to be mustered, I was inspired.
- Dedication to being hard working. As a small business owner, I was reassured.
- My sense of humor. As her father, I was touched.
I have tried to teach “the kid” well over the last 22 years. Based on the list above, I feel as if I’ve done a good job so far.
There’s still more for both of us to do and achieve. I want her to experience the joy and sense of purpose I have by giving back through my philanthropic efforts and to find all the happiness possible in her life.
As I often say, it’s important to remember that whether intentional or not, we each build our legacy every day in what we do, how we act, and how we treat others. I am excited for Nicole’s future and will watch with great joy as she helps to continue my legacy by building her own.