Villa Hills families have a renovated STEM wing at Villa Madonna Academy, dedicated Aug. 20, in memory of two brothers who died in a 2023 boating accident.

The Chase & Cole Fischer STEM Wing, which occupies the entire first floor of Villa Madonna's main building, opened to students as the 2026-2027 school year began. The Greg and Amy Fischer family funded the project with what the school calls the single largest gift in Villa Madonna's history, the NKY Tribune reported.

Bishop John Iffert of the Diocese of Covington blessed the space during the ceremony, telling the gathered crowd that Christians are called to "use our minds to effectively serve the dignity of our brothers and sisters."

Chase Fischer played tennis and ran cross country at Villa Madonna and was preparing to attend the University of Utah when he died in July 2023. His brother Cole had just graduated from eighth grade and was set to begin at Elder High School.

The wing features the St. Elizabeth Healthcare Innovation Lab, the James and Rebecca Bilbo Biology Lab, dedicated chemistry and physics labs, and a student commons. Equipment includes lasers, 3D printers, woodworking tools and a heat press. Renovations began in 2025.

"For years, we have told the students and the community, just wait. You are going to be amazed at what's coming and looking at your faces, I think we got that," high school principal Joe Cordonnier said at the dedication, as Link NKY reported Aug. 18. "I hope to see students making things that I never dreamed possible."

Villa Madonna president Pamela McQueen said the wing represents "a place where curiosity is encouraged, creativity flourishes and students are challenged to prepare for the opportunities of tomorrow," according to the Diocese of Covington.

Mathematics and physics teacher Scott Seifert told attendees the wing "encourages us to create, to innovate, to learn, to enjoy and to dream."

The Fischer brothers' legacy has already rallied the Villa Hills community beyond the school walls. In 2024, Villa Madonna students organized a Fischer 5K Run through the neighborhood where Chase and Cole grew up, raising $61,842 for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati, where the brothers had volunteered, according to Villa Hills City Council minutes.

The wing is open for the 2026-2027 school year at Villa Madonna's campus at 2470 Amsterdam Road.