Alumni and Friends Making an Impact

Gordon and Joanne Fuchs were educators who believed in providing support where it was needed most. Avid sports fans, they loved UD basketball. But you would be more likely to find them at football, volleyball, or women’s soccer and basketball games because they wanted to make sure every UD student-athlete received the recognition and support they deserved.

If you would call sports their passion, then it is safe to say that Catholic education was their mission. Gordon was a professor in the Department of Teacher Education at UD for more than 30 years, and Joanne taught at St. Charles Borromeo School in the Dayton area. Together they sent all five of their boys (Paul ’95, Stephen ’96, Mark ’97, Phil ’01 and Anthony Fuchs ’02) to Catholic schools for their entire education despite the sacrifices they had to make to afford this.

“Even though we attended UD through tuition remission (as children of a UD professor), it was still a struggle for our parents,” said Stephen. “Especially for K-12. Sending five boys to Catholic elementary and high schools, plus the housing and food at UD … they made those sacrifices because they knew the value of Catholic education. They were committed to that for us.”

Stephen knows that they wanted to help others receive that education, too. As assistant principal at Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School in Dayton, he said his dad once walked in with a donation and announced to the office that he didn’t want any of that going to Stephen’s salary; it was to help a student.

The brothers laughed at the memory, but they also note that Gordon would say the same thing to UD because Mark is now a director of environmental health and safety for the University.

The brothers’ laughter spilled over into stories about Gordon taking each son to UD football games where they sat behind Brother Raymond Fitz, S.M. ’64, who was president of the University at the time. According to Phil and Paul, each of the Fuchs’ sons can attest that Fitz is a kind and patient man even after they put him to the test with their inadvertent bumps and kicks as they focused on the concessions and treats instead of the games they attended when they were 5 or 6 years old.

Whether at a football game, in the Chapel or attending Christmas on Campus, UD always remained a focal point for the family because, although the education was important, there was always so much more.

“They didn’t choose to support UD just because of the academic rigor, though that is definitely there,” said Stephen. “It’s the values. It’s the community. It’s the family spirit. That’s what they wanted us to experience.”

Gordon and Joanne wanted future students to experience the School of Education and Health Sciences, too. Before her death, Joanne let the boys know that she wanted $25,000 to go to UD to help a student in the School of Education and Health Sciences. In honor of their parents, the brothers each gave $5,000 to help education students who need the support. 

“Dayton was so special to both of my parents. They made their home there and totally immersed themselves in the UD community,” said Anthony.

“When they were making their final arrangements, they chose a plot at Calvary Cemetery in Dayton, high up on top of the hill that overlooks the UD campus. That is how special UD was to my mom and dad, and how special it is to all of us.”