The Jim Fischer - Skip Carr Scholarship

    Since 2004, the Kiwanis Club of St. Petersburg has provided college scholarships to over 120 students.

    Our Club has joined with the Pinellas Education Foundation and the St. Petersburg Mayor's Doorway Scholarship Program to provide free college tuition to deserving students.  Students are selected during Grades 4-9 by the Pinellas Education Foundation based on financial need, good grades and attendance.  If they maintain that status through graduation from High School, they will received free college tuition. Mentoring is also part of the Program. 

    The Jim Fischer Scholarship Fund was established in 2004 in honor of one of our most distinguished members.  H. James Fischer passed away in 2004 from non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Mr. Fischer grew up and lived in St. Petersburg. He was a graduate of St. Petersburg High School, St. Petersburg Junior College,  USF and Stetson Law School. Before going to Stetson, he taught physical education at Tyrone Middle School and was the middle school basketball coach of former USF Football Coach Jim Leavitt.

 

     Mr. Fischer  practiced law in St Petersburg from 1975 until his death. He was a past president of the St. Petersburg Bar Association, Suncoasters of St. Petersburg and our Kiwanis Club. He served as counsel for the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and was involved with many others in the efforts to bring Major League Baseball and the NCAA Final Four to this area.

 

    Mr. Fischer was a very active leader in our area. He touched many lives and was a best friend to many people. Those of us who were close to Jim organized the Scholarship Fund in order to perpetuate his legacy of community service.    

    Mr. Fischer's wife, Suzi, is mentoring our first Scholarship recipient. Mrs. Fischer is a retired Pinellas County teacher and administrator. She is an active member of our Committee.

Click here to get more information from Pinellas Education Foundation.