La Salle University
Staci Wilhelm Loranca, ’95, and Derek Loranca, ’96, established a scholarship to help first-generation business students.
A generous gift
Philip W. J. Fisher, ’61, MBA, CPA, former Trustee, and his wife, Suzanne C. Fisher, joined the Brother Teliow Giving Society through their leadership commitment of $400,000 to the School of Business in April 2024. The Teliow Giving Society includes donors who give or pledge gifts of a million dollars or more in their lifetime. As part of Day of Giving 2024, the Fishers’ contribution is rooted in advancing the instructional and educational curriculum for undergraduate and graduate students. Specifically, their gift supports experiential learning in The Accounting Analytics Lab and in The Business Fellows Program; it also expands faculty research and provides for student scholarships in the School of Business. In recognition of their benefaction, the Dean’s Conference Room will be named for them.
Before Staci Wilhelm Loranca, ’95, and Derek Loranca, ’96, had successful careers, they were first-generation business students who met and fell in love on La Salle’s campus.
Nearly 30 years later, the couple continues to live out the Lasallian core values that shaped their lives, particularly the commitment to service and social justice. They are giving back in multiple ways, including establishing an annual scholarship for first-generation business students.
“The impact that financial aid had on our success isn’t lost on us, and it’s really important to pay it forward,” Staci, who majored in accounting and is now the chief financial officer at the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), said.
Derek, a senior manager of data analytics and business intelligence at Aetna, a CVS company, who chose La Salle in part because of the University’s financial aid package, shares this vision. Through their annual scholarship, the couple hopes to ensure that more students in circumstances like theirs receive the financial support they need to choose La Salle.
The couple’s commitment to education extends beyond philanthropy. They also teach in La Salle’s MBA program—Derek in accounting analytics and Staci in accounting—bringing their professional expertise back to the classroom. For Derek, teaching is an opportunity to turn his passion for analytics into something that benefits students, while Staci finds joy in seeing students succeed academically and in life. She received La Salle’s Michael A. DeAngelis Award in Accounting in recognition of her professional accomplishments.
“Becoming an adjunct professor was a ’bucket list item’ for both of us,” Staci said. “Seeing students not just learn but succeed is fulfilling. It’s knowing that I’m part of not just their academic journey but their life journey.”
Their support of La Salle also extends to the University’s upcoming Wellness Center, a project they believe is essential for attracting students and maintaining La Salle’s competitive edge.
“Having a place that benefits the community, athletes, and students on their wellness journeys will help differentiate La Salle from other area schools,” Derek said.
For Derek and Staci, giving back is about more than writing checks—it’s about living the Lasallian tradition of making a difference in the lives of others. Whether through teaching, philanthropy, or advocacy, their message to their fellow 90’s alumni is simple: A small act can have a big impact.
“La Salle is a grassroots community,” Derek said. “So, any amount to the Annual Fund helps the University and its students.”
The couple’s passion for paying it forward was born from their own experiences. Derek recalls a pivotal moment when he and his father met with Br. Michael McGinniss, FSC, Ph.D., ’70, La Salle’s president at the time, who helped secure a small increase in financial aid, enabling Derek to attend La Salle.
“It’s that little bit that inspired us to do the same thing,” Derek said. “When you see a qualified first-generation business student who wants it that badly, but they’re just a bit short on funds, you help.”
—Taylor Goebel