The rock band Sutton Ho, which formed at Marist in the early 1970s, got back together this past year — but only for dinner. They reunited in June at Keens Steakhouse in New York City.Sutton Ho was comprised of five Marist students: John Kaefer ’73 (drums), George Dawson ’71 (keyboards), Tom Meehan ’74 (bass), Kevin Dwyer ’72 (guitar), and Bob Coffin ’73 (vocals).After winning a band contest on campus, they played in clubs regionally in 1971 and 1972. They landed a much sought-after gig as the house band at the Mad Hatter in the Hamptons during summer 1972 before circumstances caused the band to fold in the fall of ’72.
The event Oct. 28–30 featured reunion celebrations for the 25-, 30-, and 40-year classes, plus three 50th reunion classes — the Classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972.
Picture the perfect autumn day, a tailgate with food trucks offering fare ranging from tacos, empanadas, and fresh apple-cider doughnuts to lobster bisque, chicken, steak, and Liège waffles served out the window of a polished, vintage Airstream, capped off by a football game where the Red Foxes triumphed, and you have Marist Homecoming and Reunion Weekend 2022. The event Oct. 28–30, organized by the Alumni Office, featured reunion celebrations for the 25-, 30-, and 40-year classes, plus three 50th reunion classes — the Classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972 — due to the “pause” that COVID-19 put on celebrations the past two years. All alumni, even those not marking a reunion, were invited to attend.The weekend kicked off with a welcome luncheon for the 50-year classes on Oct. 28. The annual Alumni Awards presentation that evening honored Patrick D. Massaroni ’10, Patrice Connolly Pantello ’76, and Paul J. Browne ’71. For more about the awardees, visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyIx3idSkxJloJBfTtv5-IMBhCwqFCGu2Honored at the 13th annual Theatre Hall of Fame Induction were, left to right, (standing) Mark Giuffre ’85, Vinnie Begley ’70, (sitting) Justin R. Santore McManus ’10, Irene Elias ’17, and Victoria Kirichok-Pratt ’93.Activities Oct. 29 included receptions for student–athlete alumni, a cappella singers, other members of the Music Program, Center for Multicultural Affairs alumni, Marist Abroad alumni, Student Government Association alumni, and LGBTQ+ alumni. Marist’s theatre tradition was saluted at the 13th annual Theatre Hall of Fame induction. Honored for their outstanding contributions to theatre at the College were: Vinnie Begley ’70. Mark Giuffre ’85, Victoria Kirichok-Pratt ’93, Justin R. Santore McManus ’10, and Irene Elias ’17.That night, the Heritage Classes (1947–1966) and 50-year classes gathered for a reception and dinner in the Murray Student Center on campus. Meanwhile, the Class of 1982 took over Marist’s historic Cornell Boathouse and the Class of 1992 and the Class of 1997 each celebrated in downtown Poughkeepsie at the Academy and Refinery 51 respectively.On Oct. 30, Swimming and Diving alumni and their families and friends joined teammates, coaches and friends for breakfast and a round of golf at the 13th annual Swimming and Diving Alumni Golf Outing.Earlier in 2022, the Alumni Office held its first June Reunion Weekend. The 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year reunion classes were invited to campus June 11–12 to celebrate their milestone reunions. Activities included children’s games, Hudson River cruises, a Marist Poll presentation, campus tours, alumni kickball games, a Marist Fund donor reception, and a River Fest on the riverfront.
History is made as alumni from across the country return to campus for one special weekend.
Three classes gathered on campus in October to mark their half-century reunions. Alumni from locations across the country, including California, Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia as well as the Northeast, made their way to Poughkeepsie to reconnect with classmates, faculty, and members of the greater Marist community. Fifty volunteers served from one to three years on their respective reunion planning committees, reaching out to friends old and new. “Zoom” became a welcomed resource. The weekend featured receptions, campus tours, a football game, a tailgate, and a gala dinner. The Classes of 1970 and 1971 met their inaugural scholarship recipients, and the Class of 1972 launched its scholarship drive. Alumni who could not travel to the Hudson Valley were remembered through the many stories shared. A memorial service celebrated the lives and friendships of classmates. Deans provided updates on academic programs and new initiatives, underscoring the College’s commitment to providing an excellent liberal arts education. The campus offered spectacular views from all points—with smiles all arounhe Class of 1971 at their 50-year reunionMembers of the Class of 1971 celebrated 50 years since graduation.Members of the Class of 1972 reconnected at their 50-year reunion.
Danisha Craig ’18 made her mark in the Marist record books as a member of the track team. Now she is part of the team at the US Department of Energy, achieving her goal of a career in public service.
Danisha Craig '18 is a Senate legislative affairs advisor within the Department of Energy in Washington, DC.
AlumniDr. Martin A. Lang ’51Thomas F. O’Connor ’53Thomas G. Murphy ’55Joseph A. McKiernan ’56Joseph J. McGrath ’57Bro. Joseph Maura, FMS ’58Bro. Ernest G. Beland ’62Anthony V. Campilii ’62/’79MBAMaurice H. Lachance Jr. ’63Michael B. Feddeck ’66Michael J. Ward III ’66John J. Winkelman ’66Eugene J. Connors ’67John Hollingsworth ’68Capt. Paul X. Rinn ’68, USN Ret.Bro. Joseph P. Scanlon, FMS ’68Barry J. Fraser ’69Myron Korykora ’69Gary J. Lindstrom ’69Peter G. Bavis ’70Joseph T. Negler ’70Arthur J. Smith ’70William J. Spampinato ’70Dr. B. James Vaughan ’70Richard A. Belz ’71James A. Eaton ’71Robert Pavlovic ’71Patricia Rittenhouse ’71Cheryl C. Bradley ’72Dr. Brian J. Minasian ’72/’86MARichard J. Cairns ’73Laurie Clare ’73Frank J. Lovallo Jr. ’73John P. Zappe ’73Arthur G. Eichler ’74Ernest A. Arico Jr. ’76Clifford B. Schoonmaker Jr. ’76Hector L. Tejeda ’77Charles A. Schreck ’79James F. Kemmis ’80James A. Pagliaro ’80Barbara J. Schelin ’80Gary T. Steltz ’80James M. Doherty ’81Patricia Nishball ’81MBAThomas P. Riozzi ’81MBAJames V. Yardley ’81Sally J. Petro ’82Ruth E. Warren ’82Hiram Driscoll ’84MBAJeanmarie Arnold ’85Louis F. Cava ’85Kevin J. Breen ’87Karen Ely ’88Edward J. Gaus, MD ’88Daniel V. Greco ’89Robert A. Kenny ’89Lawrence P. Lay ’89Joseph J. Filardi Jr. ’91Matthew V. Phung ’91Bruce W. Thomason ’91Daniel H. Massey ’92Julie E. Pazera ’92Ronald L. Vece ’92Maureen E. Dobbs ’95Jeffrey P. Sullivan ’99/’02MBASarah J. McChesney ’00Carol L. Leasure ’02Douglas Knapp ’03Thomas D. Tavino ’03Brandon J. Ellerbee ’05Carl M. Hessick ’05MBAKristine N. Morgan ’09MALucas A. Benson ’10Jason M. Giani ’10Vincent J. Bocchino ’15Christopher M. Naughton ’16FriendsWilliam BarbashDr. Eileen BestPhilip K. Boyle Sr.Rev. Msgr. John BrinnPaul E. BurkeClaire CarlsonBarbara CarpenterLeo DenaultGeorge M. DowningMichael EffronElaine GreenspanDr. Joan E. HoopesJohn E. Mack IIIMichael MaletJ. Joseph McGowanSusan G. McHughVictoria PlataniaHerbert RedlSueAnn RedlMary RitzLillian SakkasMichael J. Tomkovitch, Esq.Timothy J. WillisEileen ZyskStaffDr. Pamela J. HarperTrusteesEllen M. HancockBro. Sean D. Sammon, FMS ’70
Four Marist alumni worked on the 2022 Olympics for NBC in the network’s Stamford, CT, facility: Todd Bivona ’07, CJ Bottitta ’93, John Gilmartin ’75, and Kaare Numme ’00.
Marist grads return to campus to assist students in career pursuits
Alumni returned to Marist to meet one on one with students at the VIP Networking Event in fall 2022 presented by the Center for Career Services. The graduates gave students tips on finding internships and full-time jobs and succeeding in their career fields.
Helen Stahlin-Corveleyn ’00 was among 117 teachers, mentors, and mentoring organizations named as recipients of the national Presidential Awards for Excellence.
Helen Stahlin-Corveleyn ’00 was among 117 teachers, mentors, and mentoring organizations named by President Joe Biden as recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) and Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). The awards honor the important role that America’s teachers and mentors play in supporting learners who will be future STEM professionals, including climate scientists, mathematicians, innovators, space explorers, and engineers, according to a February 2022 announcement.Helen, who won in the Science category, teaches at Hopewell Elementary School in Hopewell, NJ. Her husband is Graig Corveleyn ’01.Established in 1983, PAEMST is the highest award that kindergarten through 12th grade mathematics and science (including computer science) teachers can receive from the U.S. government. Nominees complete a rigorous application process that allows them to demonstrate deep content knowledge and their ability to adapt to a broad range of learners and teaching environments. A panel of mathematicians, scientists, and educators at the state and national levels assesses the applications before recommending nominees to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Teachers are selected based on their distinction in the classroom and dedication to improving STEM education.The National Science Foundation, which manages PAEMST and PAESMEM on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, provides each recipient $10,000. Award recipients also receive a certificate signed by the president.
You might recognize the name Greg Bibb ’ 96 from when he called Marist basketball games — now he calls many of the shots as President, CEO, and Managing Partner of the WNBA Dallas Wings.
Greg Bibb ’96 always knew he wanted to be involved in sports. His love of athletics would take him from calling basketball games for Marist’s TV station all the way to serving as President, CEO, and Managing Partner of the WNBA’s Dallas Wings.“I had that sports aim and I felt that a communications degree with a concentration in radio, television, and film was the track to get there,” said Bibb, who, as an undergraduate, was the sports director for Marist’s TV station and covered sports for Marist’s newspaper, The Circle.Knowing the Marist internship program had contacts with the major sports networks, Bibb hoped he would earn a coveted internship if he worked hard enough. “I had that opportunity my junior year and had a chance to work on Monday Night Football and College Football Saturday,” he said. “It taught me so much about keeping up with a fast pace, working hard, and gave me that much more of a feel for the sports world.” He would one day be connected to an ABC Sports broadcast in a way he could never have imagined.“After Marist, I was able to take my sports background into a public relations opportunity with a soccer team and that actually forged a whole other path to grow in the industry,” he said. Eventually getting a chance to switch to the operational side, his roles have included executive VP of business operations of the NBA’s Washington Wizards and chief operating officer of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. The latter he began in 2007 and then was in both roles starting in 2010. “I had the opportunity to try many things and learn from smart people,” he said.After later founding a sports-focused investment fund in 2013, he left basketball for a couple of years. A partner in the business, Bill Cameron, had an idea: come back and help him with his own WNBA team. “Getting back to being involved with the WNBA was a thrill,” Bibb said. “Bill was looking to move the Tulsa Shock to Dallas, the team today known as the Dallas Wings, and he asked if I would join the ownership group and lead the business.”“With the Wings, I’m in charge of all aspects of the organization. For example, growing our broadcast offerings… At one time, the team had a half dozen games on TV.” Referring to the 2022 season, he went on, “This past` year we played 36 games—and all 36 were broadcast. The telecast reaches all of Texas and Oklahoma, three-quarters of Arkansas, and half of Louisiana. That’s 11 million households that can see a Wings broadcast.”But one for ABC Sports, a playoff game against the Connecticut Sun on Aug. 21, was particularly momentous. “If you would have told me five years ago that we would be playing a playoff game on ABC before almost 800,000 viewers, I wouldn’t have believed you,” he said.But it’s more than the numbers for Bibb; it’s the hope. “I got involved with the WNBA to begin with partly because my wife, Tara, and I welcomed a baby girl,” he said. “This year is the 50th anniversary of Title IX and it’s important to create more opportunities for girls and women. My daughter has grown up around the WNBA and sees she can do anything she wants if she is willing to work for it. And it’s been just as important for our son … More opportunities need to exist for female athletes to be able to make a living professionally, and the success of the WNBA has a chance to help in that area.”Bibb, ever the competitor, doesn’t just have basketball nets on his mind, but lacrosse ones, too. He is also President, CEO, and Managing Partner of the professional lacrosse team Panther City Lacrosse Club, in Fort Worth, Texas. The team concluded its first season in the National Lacrosse League with high hopes in what he says is the fastest-growing city in the country, not to mention the 13th largest. “It combines the game of hockey that I played growing up and the game of basketball I’ve spent so much of my career in,” he said. “The participation rate in the sport keeps growing, there are cross-promotional opportunities with the Wings, and there’s the excitement of 20 to 30 goals a game on average. It’s another role for me that’s a great deal of fun…And, hey, isn’t fun what sports are all about?”
Tom Coyne, CEO and founder of Coyne PR, was recognized by the PRNEWS Platinum Awards.
Tom Coyne ’91, CEO and founder of Coyne PR, has been recognized as CEO of the Year by the PRNEWS Platinum Awards. The awards were celebrated in New York on Oct. 12.“As CEO of the company he started 30 years ago, Thomas Coyne was instrumental in steering his agency to more than 30 new business victories this past year,” noted the PRNews Platinum Awards web page. “During the pandemic, he did not furlough a single employee, and he has added more than 80 professionals in the past year. Tom made it the agency’s goal to become an industry pay-leader in the New York market by increasing execution-level salaries by 23 percent and promoting more than 50 percent of the agency. This past year, the agency donated over $1 million in time and financial support.” In addition, Coyne PR won in the External Publications Category for its work with Express Scripts Pharmacy.
