Nancy Smith Fichter Celebration of Life

Join family and friends for a Celebration of Life on Sunday, April 27 at 2 pm in the Nancy Smith Fichter Dance Theatre in Montgomery Hall on the Florida State University campus. RSVPs are appreciated but not required at events@cfa.fsu.edu. Parking information will be emailed to all who RSVP.

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Nancy Smith Fichter (1930 – 2025) lived vibrantly, dedicated to the art of dance and the nurturing of future generations. Her transformative leadership at the FSU School of Dance defined her remarkable career. Returning to her alma mater in 1964, she was driven to build a nationally recognized program, a vision she realized by attracting renowned dance figures and fostering a commitment to preserving dance's rich history. Nancy's dedication to the FSU dance program, through her own extensive choreography, her efforts to reconstruct and preserve classic works, and her unwavering pursuit of artistic excellence, left an indelible mark on generations of FSU dancers and solidified the school's reputation as a leader in dance education.

In 1991, Nancy received the Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor Award, FSU’s highest honor. Upon her retirement in 1997, the dance theater in Montgomery Hall and a scholarship were named in her honor. Nancy served as interim dean of FSU’s School of Theatre in 2001/2002. In 2002, she received the Artes Award from the FSU Faculty Senate for her significant contributions to the university’s mission. Even after retiring, she continued to teach and direct at FSU for a number of years.

Even in her later years, Nancy's passion for dance and her commitment to FSU students remained unwavering. Demonstrating her enduring dedication, she most recently restaged her work, Liedertanz, for the An Evening of Dance in Fall 2023, working closely with FSU School of Dance students. In all her endeavors, Nancy embodied the phrase "Do it with love," which has become a guiding principle and cherished phrase within the School of Dance.

How to Honor Nancy

Share your memories and photos of Nancy with her family and the FSU School of Dance online at Share Your Memories OR mail to the FSU School of Dance, 130 Collegiate Loop, Tallahassee, FL 32306.

**Note that your memories and photos may be shared publicly as part of memorial celebrations unless you state otherwise. 

In honor of Nancy's extraordinary legacy, we invite you to contribute to the Nancy Smith Fichter Scholarship, ensuring her passion for dance continues to inspire future generations of FSU dancers. Visit give.fsu.edu/nancysmithfichter or mail a check made payable to ‘FSU Foundation’ with ‘Nancy Smith Fichter’ in the memo line to ‘FSU Foundation, 325 W. College Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32301.’

Read the full obituary here: Nancy Smith Fichter Obituary – Tallahassee Democrat