{"id":469,"date":"2019-06-18T15:14:28","date_gmt":"2019-06-18T15:14:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.stthom.edu\/encounter\/?p=469"},"modified":"2019-06-19T15:32:11","modified_gmt":"2019-06-19T15:32:11","slug":"1952-alumna-archives-the-story-of-ust","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.stthom.edu\/encounter\/2019\/faculty-accolades\/1952-alumna-archives-the-story-of-ust\/","title":{"rendered":"1952 Alumna Archives the Story of UST"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"BettyA large room on the second floor of Doherty Library contains a treasure trove of University of St. Thomas history, and the most valuable asset of all: 88-year-old \u201cMiss Betty\u201d Louise Koenig Fischer \u201952, MRE \u201991, official archivist.<\/p>\n

As the oldest of six children in a strong Catholic home, Betty Koenig Fischer always knew she was meant to do something good with her life and not accept the status quo.<\/p>\n

\u201cMom taught us that we were placed on this earth to make a difference,\u201d Betty said. \u201cOur parents didn\u2019t preach it; they lived it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her mom also instilled in Betty that she could do anything she set her mind to, and she set out to go to college and become a teacher.<\/p>\n

Fischer Enrolls in University\u2019s Second Class<\/strong><\/p>\n

Betty planned to attend a regional college focused on teacher education until Fr. Paul Michalka, from her home parish, visited her parents to talk about Houston\u2019s recently opened Catholic university.<\/p>\n

\u201cMom and I drove to campus in 1948 for an interview,\u201d Betty said. \u201cFr. Guinan decided I was \u2018a keeper,\u2019 and I became part of the University\u2019s second class.\u201d Betty was highly engaged on the UST campus, serving as class vice president and earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952.<\/p>\n

In college, she was a tiny woman with big ideas, high standards and strong faith. When she first met Charles Fischer \u201952, a member of the UST founding class, she thought he was tall and good-looking \u2014 but he did not impress her. Over time, however, the pair became friends as they worked on the school newspaper and served on committees appointed by the president. Eventually they began dating and fell in love.<\/p>\n

Betty Builds a Life with Fellow Alumnus Charles<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"BettyAfter graduation, Charles became a U.S. Naval officer, and Betty taught at a Houston elementary school. While on leave for a week, Charles arrived at her school in his dress uniform and proposed. She said no, telling him she wanted to earn a master\u2019s degree first, but he kept asking. Finally, on Friday, she decided she would have to look long and hard to find a man as good, smart and faithful as Charles. She said yes, and after he completed his service, they married in 1955.<\/p>\n

Betty and Charles raised three sons, actively engaged with their parish and their childrens\u2019 schools, and stayed close to their alma mater. Betty earned a second degree from UST in 1991, a Master of Religious Education. Charles and Betty were happily married until his death in 2014. They have six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and Betty says her family is her proudest legacy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Fischer Tells UST\u2019s Story as She Helps Create It<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fischer served as secretary and president of the UST Alumni Association, worked on various university committees, raised funds, chaired events and served on the Board of Trustees and Board of Directors.<\/p>\n

Her family funded the Betty K. and Charles Fischer Classroom in Jerabeck Athletic Hall, the Betty Koenig Fischer Meeting Room in the Center for Science and Health Professions, in honor of Charles, and the Fischer Family Endowed Scholarship \u2014 all efforts to give back to a place that made a huge impact on her life.<\/p>\n