Source: The Phoenix

http://phoenix.swarthmore.edu/2006-01-19/news/15686

On January 19, 2006 The Phoenix reported, "Swarthmore’s Islamic Studies program is gaining steam thanks to a recent donation of $1 million from the family of Tariq Fischer ’08. The gift provides financial support to supplement student and faculty enthusiasm for the Islamic Studies program. Following Fischer’s death in a car accident in Georgia last summer, Paul Fischer, Tariq’s father, said that the family donated Tariq’s inheritance to honor his love for Islam and for Swarthmore... While there is a rising interest in Islamic Studies among students, financial backing is crucial to building and maintaining the program at Swarthmore. The donation made by the Fischers contributes to the Islamic Studies program along with a previous donation of $1 million made by Bruce Gould ’59. Besides monetary gifts to the Islamic Studies programs, additional funds were awarded to the Arabic language program. Those funds will influence overall Islamic Studies at Swarthmore as well."