Villa Madonna Academy celebrates the dedication of new Chase & Cole Fischer STEM Wing

Maura Baker

Staff Writer

Faculty, staff and students gathered with members of the Villa Madonna Academy, Villa Hills, community to celebrate the blessing and dedication of the newly opened Chase & Cole Fischer STEM Wing. Named for brothers and Villa Madonna students Chase and Cole Fischer, who tragically died in 2023, the renovated classrooms and laboratories will be opening for students in the freshly begun 2026–2027 school year.

“So many in our Villa community have helped transform our campus, creating learning environments that reflect the excellence of a Villa education. We remain deeply grateful to all who help lay that foundation,” Pamela McQueen, president, Villa Madonna Academy, remarked during the wing’s dedication. “And now, the Chase and Cole Fischer STEM Wing represents the next step in that commitment — a place where curiosity is encouraged, creativity flourishes and students are challenged to prepare for the opportunities of tomorrow.”

Made possible through the generosity of private family donors and St. Elizabeth Healthcare, the STEM wing, which includes equipment for engineering and dedicated laboratories for scientific disciplines such as biology, chemistry and physics, will allow for “students and teachers will design and prototype solutions, build and test engineering projects, explore robotics and automation, investigate scientific questions, create digital media, collaborate across disciplines and solve authentic, real-world problems,” said Mrs. McQueen. “And, as they do, they will discover that the greatest innovations are those guided by wisdom, compassion and a desire to bring love and light into the world.”

Scott Seifert, a mathematics and physics teacher at Villa Madonna Academy, remarked that he was “amazed” when the faculty first walked in the newly renovated space.

“This new STEM spot,” he said, “it encourages us to create, to innovate, to learn, to enjoy and to dream. It compels us to do those things … what I like about science is that when you study it, you start seeing it all around you … But beyond that, which is probably most important, is you start seeing the order in the universe when you study science, you start seeing intelligent design, you start seeing God’s hand at work, and this STEM wing is going to help us in that endeavor. What a blessing.”

Bishop John Iffert who was present at the dedication, blessed the space. After his blessing, he reflected on the Gospel of Matthew, where Christian people are described as the “salt of the earth.”

“Jesus teaches that we are the flavor and the joy of life,” Bishop Iffert said. “Jesus, with these words, extends that mission to all of us in everything we do. In the face of the many problems of the world, like violence, materialism, poverty, moral relativism, Jesus challenged us to ask, ‘What can I do to share God’s love in the world?’”

“Christians are called to be light to the world,” he said, “and the world will be impacted for better or for worse by the way we live our lives. … When we misuse creation and its scientific principles, without any regard for the wisdom God has planted within us, we add to the chaos. But when we imitate Christ’s love, mercy and generosity — when we use our minds to effectively serve the dignity of our brothers and sisters — well, then we glorify our heavenly Father.”