The Varsity Cafe is named in honor of philanthropists Herbert ’53 and Sylvia ’50 Fisher. In 1950, Herbert opened the Varsity, a pharmacy, grill and soda shop, a block away from the college. It quickly became the place "where young folks meet and eat," Fisher recalled.
The Varsity served as the unofficial student center until the 1960s when the college moved to its present location on College Road.