William Seibert
What does "legacy" mean to you? If you could, would you help steward future generations?
For Jacqueline Fessler, the daughter of Girard College alumnus, William Seibert – Class of January 1948, she knew she wanted to leave a legacy to honor her father’s lifelong love of Girard and support future generations of graduates in his name. Bill commented that “Girard has saved my life,” and paying tribute to the place that helped make her father was important to Jackie.
Growing up, in a family of 8 daughters, Jackie remembered that her father never missed a Founder’s Day as he looked forward to interacting with fellow alumni and meeting new generations of Girard students. Bill would bring Jackie and her seven siblings to visit campus, noting that “Girard has always been my home.”
Jackie fondly recalls hearing stories about her father’s friends, teachers, and campus experiences. Bill noted on more than one occasion, “I thank God that my Mother put me in Girard.” Through his life and education at Girard, Bill, a member of the National Honor Society, student council, orchestra, and class treasurer, learned the skills needed to support his family and the care and compassion that he later used to raise and nurture them.
As Jackie grew older, she wanted to find a way to honor her father, the lessons he learned, and the memories he passed down. She once declared to her father that she would donate to Girard College in his honor and remembers the emotion he had upon hearing this news.
In 2021, Jackie and Michael Fessler were able to fulfill this promise and cement her father’s legacy with the creation of the William Seibert Stewardship Award. To be conferred annually, in perpetuity, this award honors a 12th grader who has shown a passion to serve others for the betterment of Girard College, their fellow students, and the community.
The first three awardees are wonderful examples of students that have shown care and responsibility for others, and coincidentally share many of Bill’s extracurricular interests.
Madison Roberts, a Girard College “Lifer,” or student since first grade, and the inaugural winner, enacts positive change through her outstanding leadership and commitment to social justice. While at Girard, Madison was a member of the band and choir, played on several sports teams, was a Student Council representative, and participated in programming with the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia. As a sophomore, she was inducted into the National Honor Society. Madison is now attending Bethune-Cookman University in Florida and is studying nursing.
In 2023, Anna Davies was awarded the William Seibert Stewardship Award. Another Girard College “Lifer,” she was a six-year member of Student Council and served as President in her senior year. She played on several sports teams, participated in student events committees, and was also inducted into the National Honor Society. Anna is currently studying at Southern University.
Hadas Ali became the third recipient of this award in 2024. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, choir, and band playing the flute; and a member of several Cavalier sports teams including rowing. Additionally, Hadas participated in the University of Pennsylvania access engineering program, Widener University’s engineering robotics camp and participated in NASA’s Advanced Space Camp Academy. Hadas is attending Trinity College.
Bill was proud and emotional when learning of the transformational gift his daughter made to Girard. He noted, “I hope others will help support the growth of Girard students. There is a lasting need for a place like Girard to exist, even more so than in my time.”
Bill's story is a wonderful example of a life transformed by Girard College. He passed down his passion and appreciation to his family, and their generosity will now impact generations of Girard students to achieve academic and personal success.
If you are interested in growing your stewardship footprint at Girard College, please contact the Office of Advancement to begin the conversation.