Former student-athlete Sydney Coffey ’16 is not just a talented basketball player; she is a visionary entrepreneur who has carved out a unique space for herself in the world of fashion. As the founder of Morlé - meaning “more legs” - a clothing brand tailored exclusively for tall women, Coffey has seamlessly blended her passion for sports with her love for fashion, creating a unique brand that resonates with both female athletes and fashion enthusiasts. “I turned my dreams into reality,” said Coffey. “With Morlé I want to revolutionize the fashion industry by advocating for tall women. Together we can reshape beauty standards and provide an unmatched experience of style and empowerment." Growing up in Hopkins, Minnesota, Coffey was immersed in basketball from an early age. Her father, Richard Coffey, played in the NBA (National Basketball Association), setting the stage for Sydney’s athletic career. She excelled on the court, leading her high school team to three state championships, and earning a scholarship to play DI basketball at Marist College. While at Marist, Coffey succeeded as a dedicated fashion merchandising major, balancing the demands of being a student-athlete while pursuing her love for fashion. She studied communications with a focus on fashion design, laying the groundwork for her future as an entrepreneur. After college, Coffey took her athletic talents overseas to play professionally, where she continued to scout the intersection of sports and fashion, noticing a specific target market – tall women like her – that was not being explored. It was during these overseas adventures in 2020 that Morlé was officially born. “I was traveling the world hearing the same stories over and over again from women my height and taller, stories about how difficult it is to find clothing we can feel good about,” said Coffey. “Now, Morlé creates a space for women to embrace their height and find a sense of community, too.” Coffey and the brand have quickly gained traction, thanks to its innovative designs. Coffey’s visions further materialized this spring when Morlé debuted at the Women’s Final Four Tip-Off Fashion Show in Cleveland, Ohio. Dedicated to tall women and athletes, the event provided Coffey with a unique networking opportunity where she was surrounded by female athletes and spoke directly with the customers she hopes to serve. “Having my first fashion show at the Final Four was incredibly meaningful,” she said. “I met so many women who didn’t know this type of fashion existed before that day. Now, they know Morlé is one of the brands that can provide them with the clothing they’re looking for.” According to Marist Women’s Basketball Coach Erin Doughty ’06 ’08M, Coffey is redefining what it means to be a business owner in the world of fashion. “Her journey from student-athlete to successful entrepreneur is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in her potential,” said Doughty. “She saw a need in the fashion industry and decided to create a brand that focused on stylish clothing for tall women like herself. I am not surprised at all by the quick growth of her company, and I know it will continue to thrive under her leadership.”
On March 20, 2024, the Marist Community united with a unique sense of purpose — one that could reimagine the meaning of giving back for Red Foxes everywhere. Months of planning and anticipation led to Marist’s first-ever Day of Giving, when the community set out to embrace contemporary philanthropy through online giving with a clear charge: Secure 1,000 donors in 24 hours. Giving days are often marked by online campaigns, social media pushes, and campus-wide events, all aimed at rallying the community in a concentrated effort to raise funds within a 24-hour period. Marist committed to embracing this trend, marking a significant shift in its approach to fundraising – and displaying just how strong the community is by exceeding all goals and predictions as gifts were made, stories were shared, and events were celebrated. “The success of the College’s Day of Giving is a testament to the unwavering spirit and generosity of Red Foxes everywhere – who not only surpassed the College’s goals, but also redefined what it means to come together as a community,” said Vice President for College Advancement, Chris DelGiorno ’88. Themed “Red Foxes Rise Together,” the level of participation and donations truly shattered expectations, with the initial goal of 1,000 donors being surpassed before 10 a.m. The day concluded with Marist’s momentum on full display – totaling nearly 2,900 donors and raising more than $560,000. Gifts at work All Day of Giving gifts were directed to specific areas of the College that donors wished to support, including various athletic appeals, the Track and Turf Field, Presidential Fund for Equity in the Marist Experience, the Parents Fund, and the Senior Class Legacy. Donors could also give directly to the Marist Fund. “There are so many things that would benefit from further support,” said Associate Vice President for Development, Mike Byerley. “Philanthropy is an important way to provide added value for our students and their families, opening doors for our Red Foxes.” From helping students access a Marist education to academic experiences and study abroad, internships and community service, gifts of all sizes play a valuable role in awarding opportunities to Marist students. “Support from the Marist community has allowed me to excel in my studies and make long-lasting meaningful friendships,” said current student Chelsea Venters ’25. “I have been able to experience how wonderful Marist is through access to scholarships funded by alumni. Other students and I can be here because of this generosity. The support does not go unnoticed.” Giving and Gratitude The overwhelming success of the 24-hour fundraiser can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of the many alumni, students, parents, staff, and friends of the College who were eager and enthusiastic to show their generosity and love for Marist. “Marist holds a special place in my heart. It’s where I grew into the person I am today, and where I’ve built and continue to build some of the most meaningful relationships of my life.” -Christopher Price ’02 “Watching our boys thrive as Red Foxes has been one of the greatest joys of our lives,” said chair of the Parents Council, Jackie Faherty. “We are so excited to contribute to a community that we have come to know and love and to hopefully encourage others to be a part of all that is so special about Marist College.” -Jackie Faherty P’24/P’26, Parents Council Chair “Donor support helped me to stay and finish my degree at the College. Without Marist’s generous financial aid packages, I would have had to move back home at the end of my first year. Marist has become a second home to me, and leaving was not something I was prepared to do. Thanks to Marist donors, I will be able to walk the stage on the green next year!” -Miguel Rojas ’25 Read more about the Day of Giving via Inside Marist.
Mike Willis, the newly appointed head football coach at Marist College, is gearing up for his first official season leading a Division I team this fall, determined to take the Marist football program to new heights and eager to showcase the school's dedicated student-athletes with the world. "For me, when considering this role, it became less about why Marist and more about why not Marist," said Willis. "Marist is a tremendous school that does an unbelievable job of blending a liberal arts education with educational experiences and opportunities that are going to set students up for success, not just for a great four years for the but for the next 40 years of their lives.” The New Jersey native joins Marist after nine seasons as an assistant coach at Princeton University, his alma mater. His hire follows the Nov. 29, 2023, retirement of Jim Parady, who led the Marist program for 32 years and had been the longest-tenured active head coach in Division I football. A former offensive lineman, Willis admits he was drawn to the new position because of the unique qualities of the College’s mission, emphasizing Marist's commitment to providing a well-rounded education and a full DI athletic experience. "Coach Willis's emphasis on success on and off the field makes him an excellent addition to the Marist community," said Marist President Kevin Weinman. "He joins Marist at an exciting time as our new strategic plan infuses athletics throughout many of its priorities and the College is positioned for a major leap forward. I am convinced Marist's football program will reach new heights under his leadership, building upon all that Coach Parady, his staff, and our student-athletes have accomplished." When asked about his coaching philosophy, Willis emphasizes the importance of recruiting and developing the best student-athlete while creating a strong and cohesive team. He aims to build a program that the Marist community can be proud of. "We want to recruit and retain the best student-athletes in the country and develop them to reach their full potential on and off the field," Willis said. "When people watch us play, I hope they'll see a football team that is fast, physical, and together in everything that they do." Willis was Princeton's offensive coordinator for the past three seasons. During that time, the Tigers went 22-8 overall with a 15-6 record in Ivy League play while Willis coached 23 All-Ivy League players. In 2021, Princeton won the Ivy League championship, went 9-1 overall, set a program record with 10 First Team Ivy League selections, and led the Ancient Eight in scoring at 33.4 points per game. As Willis embarks on this new chapter and looks ahead toward the upcoming football season, he is eager to make his mark on the program. His passion for football and dedication to his players is evident. Willis shared, "My time at Marist has been exceptionally rewarding. The student-athletes, faculty, administrators, and Marist community have made me, and my family, feel at home. I am so energized by everyone's investment and excitement. I wake up every day thrilled to be the head football coach at Marist!"
The following generous contributions honor our donors’ commitment to education and ensure they are forever associated with the College’s mission and success. SUPPORT FOR SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarships are essential in higher education, providing critical financial support and recognizing academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement. Trustee Dirk McMahon ’82 and his wife Wendy have made an additional generous gift in support of the Dirk and Wendy McMahon Endowed Scholarship for incoming freshmen majoring in business administration at Marist College with demonstrated financial need and strong leadership potential. A generous gift from Bayly Ledes and the Ledes Foundation recently established the John G. Ledes Endowed Scholarship. This new scholarship recognizes the extraordinary legacy of John G. Ledes in the beauty publishing and fragrance industries. It will be awarded to a rising junior with financial need and a demonstrated interest in the beauty industry, including publishing, design, marketing, merchandising, or fragrances. Maureen Sorbo Logan ’78 and Mark Logan have made an additional gift to the Mark and Maureen (Sorbo ’78) Logan Scholarship, which supports Mid-Hudson Valley students with significant financial need majoring in STEM, accounting, or finance. This scholarship is awarded to students of high character with leadership potential and proven academic ability, with preference given to graduates of Poughkeepsie High School and other Dutchess County high schools. NAMING COMMITMENTS Marist College has recently received several generous pledge commitments supporting key areas of the institution, highlighting the importance and impact of naming commitments on campus development and growth. Dyson Center Renovation and Expansion Set to open this summer, the renovated and expanded Dyson Center has attracted significant support. Members of the Class of 1968 have made a generous pledge to name the Social and Behavioral Sciences Dean Suite in honor of their 55th reunion. Additionally, Pike Construction’s pledge to name the Rooftop Terrace will enhance the new space, while a gift from the Edward Taylor Coombs Foundation to name a classroom will directly impact students and faculty. Track and Turf Field Support The Track and Field fundraising effort began with a $1 million lead commitment from Marist Trustee Tim Tenney, established as a dollar-for-dollar matching challenge to catalyze momentum and encourage further donations. To date, the College has received $421,483 in additional gifts and pledges from 267 donors, including generous pledges from Trustee C. James Taylor, Jay Doyle ’75 to name the Record Board, and Jamie McGurk ’97 to name the Plaza in the enhanced athletic space. “Naming commitments are vital gifts to Marist because they provide essential financial support for the institution’s growth and development while also creating lasting legacies that inspire future generations,” said Vice President for Advancement Chris DelGiorno ’88. To explore the wide range of naming opportunities at the College, please contact Chris at chris.delgiorno@marist.edu.
Generosity and community have always been at the heart of Marist’s identity. This legacy, which has endured for nearly a century, has recently gained extraordinary momentum as alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the College have stepped forward with unprecedented enthusiasm to provide philanthropic support for various elements of Marist’s mission and vision. Marist is at an inflection point in its evolution, with philanthropy acting as a powerful accelerator. Although Marist is a relatively young institution – with more than 60% of its 51,000 alumni having graduated in the last 25 years – the collective force of its community coming together to enhance the educational experience of current and future students has tremendous impact. Nowhere is this more evident than Marist’s inaugural Day of Giving, covered in greater detail in this issue of Marist Magazine. On this day, generations of alumni participated in record numbers, giving back to ensure that future Red Foxes benefit from similar life-changing academic, professional, and recreational opportunities. While their individual motivations for giving are unique, donors are united by a belief in Marist’s promise, and a desire to invest in its future. Also in this issue are several recent gifts and pledges supporting impactful programs, scholarships, or initiatives that advance one or more pillars of Marist 100: Academic Vibrancy, Student Centrality, and Expansive Community. In each case, donors have been inspired by the College’s ambitious vision of improving the world through education and have stepped forward to fund an element of that vision that resonates with them. Whether supporting scholarships designed to make a Marist education more affordable, promoting equity and access across the academic experience, assisting students in developing financial-literacy skills, naming space in a premier academic building, or helping to develop signature recreational facilities, each gift is a vote of confidence in Marist, and an investment in its future.
Ready to turn your memories into milestones? Be a part of Marist's new brick initiative, a unique opportunity for alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community members to leave a legacy on campus while supporting the Track and Turf Field project. The campaign aims to raise funds for the development of a state-of-the-art track and turf field, enhancing the college's athletic infrastructure and providing a top-tier training environment for student-athletes. Participants can purchase personalized bricks that will be used to create a walking path at the new track facility. All funds will directly contribute to the construction and maintenance of the enhanced athletic space. Two inscription options are available: Small Personalized Brick: $500 Large Personalized Square Paver: $1,000 Each brick and paver will be engraved with an individualized message, allowing donors to commemorate their time at Marist, honor a loved one or faculty mentor, and show support for the College's future. Buy your brick and view inscription guidelines at this link. Vice President for College Advancement Chris DelGiorno expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, "This first-of-its-kind initiative at Marist is a wonderful way for alumni, parents, and friends to demonstrate their support for our student-athletes and the wider campus community. Donor support will play an invaluable role in bringing this exciting project to fruition and personalized bricks will serve as a powerful symbol of Marist’s community spirit for generations to come.”
A generous $1 million gift from longtime Marist supporter W. Jason Hancock will enable a wide range of financial literacy initiatives to equip students with important skills to help them become savvy money managers and build brighter financial futures.
In April, Kevin and Beth Weinman announced a second gift pledge to the Presidential Fund for Equity in the Marist Experience (the “Equity Fund”). This $500,000 pledge augments the founding gift of $250,000 they made in December 2021. Since then, over 300 students with demonstrated financial need have received grants allowing them to enroll in “travel courses” or take unpaid internships vital for career preparation. The Weinmans’ gifts, alongside hundreds of others from Marist trustees, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends, as well as future gifts to the Fund will help ensure support remains available to Marist students. Q: What inspires you to give to Marist? K & B: Everyone in the Marist community – students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents – has inspired us from our very first day. We believe deeply in this College – its achievements to date, and its promise for the future. Gifts to Marist have tremendous impact on the student experience. Marist has long been an institution on the rise – a College worth supporting – and the ambitious vision outlined in Marist 100 charts a path to even greater heights. We are honored to be here and to join so many others in providing financial support to help Marist reach its fullest potential. Q: Why the Equity Fund? K: Because I’ve seen that the Equity Fund works! Students often tell me how enriching and rewarding their internships are in their career preparation. Also, I recently returned from drop-ins to three travel courses, one in Athens and two in London, and was blown away by the rich learning environment. Student and faculty enthusiasm was off the charts! Also, the Equity Fund hits upon all three pillars of Marist 100. Travel courses and internships speak to “academic vibrancy” by giving students immersive learning opportunities and faculty the opportunity to design innovative curricula, to “student centrality” by directing 100% of these resources to support an outstanding student experience, and to “expansive community,” both by bringing Marist to the world and the world to Marist and by attracting immensely talented faculty and students from all backgrounds to the Marist community. Spring 2024 Attachment Course: Shakespeare in London B: As someone who was fortunate to travel extensively throughout the former Soviet Union and Europe before and during college, I find Marist’s travel courses, which provide life-changing experiential learning opportunities, intriguing. These experiences opened my eyes to people and cultures beyond our own. I also know from our son Alex’s experience that some students prefer a short immersive international visit rather than semester or year-long study abroad, and these courses allow several hundred Marist students to do just that, every year. Spring 2024 Attachment Course: Democracy in Greece Q: What would you say to others who are considering their own forms of support to Marist? K & B: As they consider a gift to Marist, we encourage alumni, parents, and friends to think about what inspires them most about a Marist education and what would bring them the most satisfaction from a supporting gift. For us, it’s the Equity Fund, and, of course, we invite others to support the Equity Fund as well. But we understand others might prefer to support any number of other Marist 100 priorities. In any instance, a gift of any size makes a difference. It shows confidence in Marist and its mission and makes a huge difference for our students. We invite everyone to consider joining us in supporting Marist College, in ways and at amounts meaningful to them. Support the Presidential Equity Fund by making your gift today!
Marist College is excited to announce the addition of four distinguished individuals to its Board of Trustees. Formally elected during the Board’s December 9 annual meeting, these accomplished professionals come from diverse backgrounds and industries, bringing a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to helping Marist achieve its vision of improving the world through education. “We are delighted to welcome these new members,” said Ross Mauri ’80/P’15, Chair of the Marist Board of Trustees. “Through their collective expertise and dedication to Marist they will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the College as we bring to life the many bold initiatives outlined in our new strategic plan, Marist 100.” Added Marist President Kevin Weinman: “I am particularly excited about the variety of ways this distinguished group of new trustees has been involved with the College – as parents, alumni of both undergraduate and graduate programs, through athletics and many other elements of the Marist experience, as advisory board members, and as mentors to our students. I look forward to the many ways they will bring their extensive professional expertise into the board room, and to working with them to bring Marist to greater heights.”
