Marist is grateful to alumni, parents, and friends for their support and dedication.

The philanthropy of alumni, parents, and friends continues to make a substantial impact at Marist. The College is grateful for their support and ongoing dedication. Among recent commitments are the following.Naming Commitments for the New Dyson CenterMarist has received several recent pledge commitments in support of the exciting renovation and expansion of the Dyson Center underway on campus. A dedicated donor who wishes to remain anonymous recently pledged to name the café in the Collaborative Study Center on the first floor of the new facility. The centrally located café will be dedicated in the name of the School of Management Advisory Board, providing a visible symbol of the board’s ongoing support and advocacy for Marist students, faculty, and staff.In addition, Wayne Schmidt ’80 and his wife, Marisa, made a pledge towards the Dyson Center project to name two spaces that directly impact students and faculty. The Schmidts will name a premier classroom in memory of Wayne’s father, Wayne Schmidt Sr., as well as a collaborative study room in honor of Wayne’s uncle and legendary former Marist crew coach Bill Austin. Marist is grateful to Wayne and Marisa for their generous support of this important project and appreciate their generosity and thoughtfulness as they remember Wayne’s father and honor Bill Austin.Longtime member of the Marist Board of Trustees Mark Dennis generously committed to name the STEM–Teaching Methods Lab in the Dyson Center. The lab, outfitted with running water, gas, and other essentials for demonstrating science concepts, will support not only STEM teacher-candidates but also teachers in the areas of social studies, language arts, and special needs. Mark, as a trustee of the Evelyn Davies Trust, directed this gift to recognize and honor Evelyn Davies, who was an elementary school teacher in the Arlington School District for 35 years. Mark has made an enormous impact on the College through his thoughtful stewardship of the Evelyn Davies Trust and previously of the Jeannette F. Schlobach Charitable Trust, of which he was the trustee. Mark is a prominent certified public accountant in the Hudson River Valley and has served on Marist’s board since 2004.To explore the wide range of naming opportunities associated with the landmark Dyson Center project, please contact Chris DelGiorno, vice president for college advancement, at chris.delgiorno@marist.edu.Support for ScholarshipsChris Bricker ’90 and his wife, Jennifer, have pledged additional support for the Michael C. Holland Memorial Scholarship in honor of her father. Created to recognize his extraordinary commitment to serving the public, the scholarship will be awarded to a first-year student who has shown a strong devotion to community service. Marist is grateful for their caring and generous support.Chris Bricker ’90Nick Citera ’87 and his wife, Rossana, have made a generous gift to establish the Nick ’87 and Rossana Citera Endowed Scholarship. The Citeras’ scholarship will support first-year undergraduates in the School of Management who have considerable academic promise and demonstrated financial need. First preference will be given to residents of the Hudson Valley. A longtime Hudson Valley resident, Nick is a partner in Cosimo’s Restaurant Group and a dedicated member of the School of Management Advisory Board. Previously, the Citeras established an endowment to support students enrolled in the Business 100 course offered in the School of Management. The course brings students and local businesses together for collaboration on special projects with real-world implications. Marist deeply appreciates the Citeras’ ongoing generosity and leadership.Marist lost one of its most dedicated volunteer leaders and supporters last spring with the passing of Ellen Hancock, immediate past chair of the Board of Trustees. Ellen, a highly accomplished technology executive and business leader, served on the Marist Board for 34 years, including seven as chair. Ellen’s husband, Jason, has made a gift to support the Ellen Hancock Endowed Scholarship, originally established by the Board of Trustees in her honor; the Dennis and Marilyn Murray Endowed Scholarship; and the Music Program at Marist. The College appreciates Jason’s continued dedication and his generous and thoughtful support.Maureen Sorbo Logan ’78 and Mark Logan have made an additional gift towards the Mark and Maureen (Sorbo ’78) Logan Scholarship. The scholarship supports students from the Mid-Hudson Valley who have significant financial need and are majoring in STEM, accounting, or finance. The Logans visited with their scholarship’s recipient at the annual Celebration of Scholarships held on the campus Nov. 12. The College is grateful for their impactful support of Marist students.The James J. McCann Charitable Trust has provided a grant extending its invaluable support of scholarships for deserving traditional-age Marist students who live in Dutchess County and graduate from county high schools. This is the 54th year the trust has supported this special program that has touched the lives of countless local students. Over the years, trust has also played a lead role in the construction of signature facilities at the College such as the James J. McCann Recreation Center. The entire Marist community extends its thanks to the trust for its transformational support of scholarships and state-of-the-art facilities at the College.Sisters Kari Redl-Daniels, Kelley Redl-Hardisty, Kristi Redl-Deasy, and Kimberly Redl-Lawrence are carrying on the tradition started by their parents Herb and Sue Redl of generously supporting Marist through the endowment of the Herb and Sue Redl Scholarship. Established by their parents in 1995, the scholarship is awarded to continuing students with financial need who reside in the Hudson River Valley. More than 75 talented and deserving students have benefited from this special scholarship over the years. The College is deeply appreciative of the entire Redl family for their steadfast support, dedication to students, and passionate commitment to the Hudson River Valley community.Trustee Genine McCormick ’88 and her husband, Michael ’88, have made a gift to name a Marist–Gilder Lehrman Institute Scholarship in President Kevin Weinman’s honor. The McCormicks established the GLI–Marist partnership program in fall 2021. Their support, combined with that of other donors, is providing meaningful term scholarships for deserving students who are recognized as top high school history students by GLI’s recently launched National Academy of American History and Civics. The first Long Reach Society dinner brought together donors of the scholarship program and scholarship recipients at Marist’s Cornell Boathouse on Nov. 3. The event featured remarks by President Kevin Weinman; Dr. James G. Basker, president of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History; Dr. Martin Schaffer, dean of the School of Liberal Arts; Mike McCormick, and the two inaugural scholarship awardees, Harumi Kameda ’25 and Elisabet Guerrero Hernandez ’25 as well as a presentation by Dr. David Woolner, professor of history, on the current exhibit at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library about FDR’s final campaign. Over the past 30 years the McCormicks have been among the College’s most engaged alumni, not only volunteering their time to lead the Marist Fund but also supporting the James A. Cannavino Library, the music building, theatre facilities, the Career Center in the School of Management, and the Presidential Fund for Equity in the Marist Experience. And in recognition of their very generous gift to support a new residence hall on the North End of campus, McCormick Hall was formally dedicated to them in 2019. Marist extends its profound thanks for their longtime commitment.The trustees of the Dr. Edwin A. Ulrich Charitable Trust — Jack Conklin, John Regan, and Jeff Armstrong — have again initiated a generous grant from the trust to support scholarships for business and fine-art majors from the Hudson River Valley, as well as outstanding music students at Marist. Marist is thankful for the trust’s longtime support for scholarships, which has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of Marist students over the years.The Dr. Edwin A. Ulrich Charitable Trust continues its longtime commitment to scholarships at Marist. Grants from the trust assist upper-class business and fine arts majors as well as music minors from the Hudson River Valley. During their annual board meeting on campus, Ulrich Trustees (left to right, back row) Jeff Armstrong, Jack Conklin, and John Regan met scholarship recipients (left to right, front row) Emily Valentino ’24, Jocelyn Antonio ’24, and Priyanka Vohra ’24.Dr. Sam and Gail Simon have pledged to establish an endowed scholarship in the School of Science. Dr. Simon is a retired orthopedic surgeon and the founder of Hudson Valley Fresh. He also serves on the School of Science Advisory Board. The College is most grateful for this leadership and support that will change the lives of students pursuing science degrees at Marist.Executive Vice President Dr. Geoffrey L. Brackett and his wife, Michelle Rider, CPA, Esq., have pledged to establish an endowed fund to support Marist’s LGBTQ+ community. The Rainbow Fox Fund will strengthen and enhance programming, resources, and opportunities for students. The fund will also provide a platform for reaching out to Marist alumni, parents, and friends for additional support for the LGBTQ+ community. The College appreciates Geoff’s and Michelle’s generosity and thoughtfulness in creating this special fund and are grateful for their support of Marist’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.Dr. Geoffrey L. Brackett and his wife, Michelle Rider, CPA, Esq.

23 Nov 2022

The sold-out event supported the School of Management Scholarship Fund, providing eight term scholarships for graduating seniors with financial need.

The Advisory Board of Marist’s School of Management was pleased to honor Trustee Pat Lavelle ’73/P’02 during its annual Golf Outing at the Saint Andrew’s Golf Club in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, on Sept. 12. Lavelle, president and CEO of VOXX International Corp., was recognized for his innovative business leadership and exceptional support of Marist College.A sold-out event for the second straight year, the scholarship fundraiser secured $55,000 for the School of Management Scholarship Fund. The support will provide eight term scholarships of $5,000 each for graduating seniors with financial need to reduce the burden of their student loans. The balance will go to the School of Management Advisory Board Endowed Scholarship that exists in perpetuity and will benefit deserving Marist School of Management students for generations to come.Special thanks go to Golf Committee members Michael Babic ’04, Nicholas Esposito ’18, Greg Garville ’74, Kevin Hogan ’02, Tim Keneally ’69, Bob Meindl ’91, Tom Murray ’02, Stephen Popper ’92, Maureen Solero, and Kim Viggiano ’02 for their outstanding work leading this successful effort.

25 Nov 2022

George Majestic ’71 cherished his time at Marist. After working hard all their lives, he and his wife, Carol, are giving back to help others who want to pursue a college education.

If you visit George and Carol Majestic at their home in Florida and you mention Marist, it’s possible George will share with you something unusual. He has a folder from his Marist days 50 years ago where he’s saved tuition bills, thank-you notes for his decades-worth of donations, letters of recommendation, and a 1966 letter confirming his acceptance from Dave Flynn ’64, director of admissions. “I don't consider myself a hoarder,” he said, “but some things are important to me.” He especially prizes the letters from faculty members Dr. Jack Kelly and Dr. M. J. Michelson, two of his favorite professors. “I cherished those. And my time at Marist.”George was born and raised in Gardiner, NY. “My parents didn't have much money, so I went to work for IBM after high school and started going to school at Marist at night,” he recalled.“I then served four years in the Navy and returned to work at IBM in 1967, enrolled at Marist as an adult student, and took classes part time through the evening division. I was eager to finish, so I took a leave of absence from IBM and condensed three years of study into two—graduating in 1971. I was able to attend and graduate debt-free with the help of the GI Bill.”Carol too forged her own path. “I was one of nine children. Instead of going on to college like my brothers, I got a job as a secretary at IBM and stayed with them almost six years.” A TWA ad recruiting flight attendants caught her attention, leading to a new career that lasted 33 years.George led development projects in Ulster, Orange, and Dutchess counties under the banner of his excavation company, Majestic Underground. “So that’s where I made my living, really close to home,” George said.Both George and Carol are enjoying retirement. But far from forgetting about Marist, they have established a scholarship, the George W. Majestic ’71 and Carol Lahey Majestic Scholarship, to help other aspiring college graduates.“It's a nice feeling to be able to share our good fortune,” said George. “We just feel like we’re helping someone who needs help, and we're happy to share.”

19 Nov 2022

Getting a college degree changed the life of Lou Zuccarello and future generations of his family.

Lou Zuccarello was a straight-A student, on track to becoming class valedictorian at Mount St. Michael Academy, a Marist Brothers high school in the Bronx, and winning debate competitions all over New York City. But college? It didn’t look like college was going to happen.Lou’s father passed away suddenly at the age of 51, when Lou was 16, and his mother took over the family dressmaking business. “No one in my family had been to college,” Lou remembered, “so I had no idea how to navigate the world of higher education, much less the world of financial aid. But my mother was steadfast in her insistence that I go to college. I envisioned working days and somehow saving enough money to go to night school.”It was a Marist Brother at his school who reached out to St. John’s University, pitched Lou’s potential, and helped Lou navigate his way to a full scholarship. Lou commuted by subway nearly two hours in each direction, graduating summa cum laude in 1958.That Marist Brother, Ed Cashin ’52, later moved to Marist College and recruited Lou to the faculty in 1966. Dr. Zuccarello, who retired as a professor of political science in 2001, led the creation of the Criminal Justice department and served as academic vice president and academic dean from 1975 to 1980.“Getting a college degree changed the script not only for Lou, but for future generations of our family,” said Barbara Zuccarello, Lou’s wife of more than 60 years and a longtime volunteer leader for the Marist College Center for Lifetime Study. “All three of our boys graduated college and have built fulfilling careers and beautiful families. We’ve always said that if we ever had the financial means to do so, we wanted to help create more stories like Lou’s.”Lou and Barbara established the Zuccarello Family Scholarship, supporting talented Marist students from the Bronx with demonstrated financial need.“The Marist community has been our home for 56 years,” Lou said. “Barbara and I are blessed beyond our wildest imagination, and we hope others will follow our lead and make stories like ours possible for future generations.”

21 Nov 2022

Students are applying for support from the fund that Marist President Kevin Weinman and his wife, Beth, established to broaden access to internships, attachment programs, and individual tutoring.

A fund launched by President Kevin Weinman and his wife, Beth, to widen student access to a range of meaningful academic activities has drawn great interest among undergraduates.The President’s Fund for Equity in the Marist Experience supports internships, attachment programs such as courses that include a travel component, and individual tutoring. Awards are intended for students enrolled in an undergraduate, degree-seeking program who demonstrate significant financial need and where financial constraints are a barrier to their participation in these activities.As of mid-March, 123 applications for funding had been received. So far, 72 students have received funds, with the majority of the awards supporting courses with a travel component.The Weinmans established the fund in December 2021 with a pledge of $250,000. Since then, a number of donors, including 100 percent of the College’s Board of Trustees, have added generously to it.Soon after arriving at Marist in fall 2021, Weinman saw a way he could help make an impact on the student experience.“In my short time here, it is already abundantly clear to me that Marist is thriving, yet has the potential to achieve even greater heights,” Weinman said at the time. “One of the ways Marist can do so is to attract, enroll, and retain a diverse group of talented students and enable them to experience the full range of curricular and co-curricular offerings once they arrive, regardless of their financial circumstances. Our pledge is intended to be one small step towards helping all of our students to reach their full potential and get the most out of their Marist experience.”Inspired by the Weinmans’ gift, Chair of the Board of Trustees Ross Mauri ’80 and his wife, Barbara, matched it with a pledge of their own. This past fall, Mauri announced that every member of the Board of Trustees also had made a pledge to the fund in honor of Weinman’s inauguration Sept. 23.  The College would also like to recognize the generous gift to the fund made by Emily Saland and her husband, Jesse. Emily is vice president of strategic initiatives and chief of staff at Marist.Applications are reviewed in a competitive process to distribute funding by committees from Marist’s Academic Affairs office, Academic Learning Center, Center for Career Services, and Office of International Programs. Student Financial Services and the Business Affairs Office are responsible for confirming eligibility and overseeing the distribution of awards.The College’s goal is to continue to grow the fund, the range of activities it supports, and its impact on students. The Advancement Office is still actively seeking additional support for this important objective. To make a contribution to the President’s Fund for Equity in the Marist Experience, please visit marist.edu/presidentsfundLouis Greenspan Endowed Fund for Equity in the Marist ExperienceIn addition to the significant term funding that has been secured for the President’s Fund for Equity in the Marist Experience, the College is pleased to announce the establishment of a new endowed fund that was recently established through a generous grant from the Louis Greenspan Charitable Trust to support these important objectives on an ongoing basis. When fully funded, the Louis Greenspan Endowed Fund for Equity in the Marist Experience will provide a perpetual source of support for internships, attachment programs such as courses that include a travel component, and individual tutoring. The College is most grateful to Greenspan Trustees Dan Curtin and Gary Koch for their ongoing commitment to Marist and the many ways the trust has enhanced the world-class opportunities, experiences, and facilities that are available to Marist students.  

17 Nov 2022

Kicker Makes Pro Bowl, Leads NFL in Scoring, Makes Playoffs

Marist graduate Jason Myers completed a magnificent 2022 season for the Seattle Seahawks, one which was complete with late-game heroics, postseason play, outstanding statistics, and terrific accolades.Myers is in his eighth season in the NFL as a placekicker and his fourth with the Seahawks. On the last day of the NFL regular season on Sunday, Jan. 8, Myers’ 32-yard field goal in overtime lifted the Seahawks to a 19–16 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. This result, coupled with the Detroit Lions’ victory over the Green Bay Packers, secured a playoff berth for the Seahawks. Although Seattle fell to San Francisco in the wildcard round, Myers made his presence felt with a 56-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.Myers was rewarded with his second career trip to the Pro Bowl and was named First Team All-Pro by the NFL Players’ Association. In the 2022 regular season, Myers led the NFL in scoring with 143 points. He converted 34 of his 37 field goal attempts and 42 of his 43 extra point tries. He also had 54 touchbacks on kickoffs.Myers is a 2013 Marist graduate who was a four-year member of the football program from the 2009 through 2012 seasons. He set the program record for longest field goal in 2011, which came from 49 yards out. That mark was equaled by Luke Paladino in 2019.Myers started his NFL career in Jacksonville. He kicked for the Jaguars from 2015 to 2017 before enjoying a Pro Bowl season with the New York Jets in 2018. He then signed a multiyear contract with Seattle in March of 2019. 

10 Jan 2023

Women’s Basketball Coach Brian Giorgis celebrated after his final home game for making a huge impact both on and off the court.

Women’s Basketball Coach Brian Giorgis celebrated after his final home game for making a huge impact both on and off the court.

02 Mar 2023

The College has more than 75 different study abroad programs.

Marist continues to offer among the strongest study abroad options in the country, with its full academic year study abroad program ranking No. 1 in the nation in participation among US master’s degree-granting institutions, according to the latest Open Doors report for the 2020–2021 academic year. Marist also ranked among the top 10 institutions in the country for its semester-length abroad program (5th), total number of students abroad (5th), and overall study abroad participation (9th).The report is published by the Institute of International Education in collaboration with the US Department of State.A global education is a foundation of the Marist learning experience, which is why the College has more than 75 different study abroad programs including semester-long, full academic year, and short-term study abroad time frames designed to enable students to stay on track with their studies while giving them access to rich cultural experiences.In addition, the Marist Italy campus in Florence offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in partnership with one of the most established and innovative educators in Florence, Italy, Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici. The Marist Italy experience has become one of the College’s most distinctive offerings and draws interest from students around the world.“Study abroad has become a signature aspect of the Marist experience, with about half of our students studying abroad prior to graduation in recent years, which is nearly five times the national average,” said Dr. John Peters, dean of International Programs at Marist. “Navigating a new context and culture is often cited by students as pivotal and transformative. Our students have these incredible opportunities to learn about themselves and the complexity and diversity of our shared story through international and intercultural exploration.”The latest rankings for Marist’s study abroad program came less than a year after the program received the Senator Paul Simon Award for its freshman year abroad programs in Italy and Ireland. The award is one of the most prestigious a college or university can receive for excellence in international programs.

29 Mar 2023

Marist recognizes three for community service at the 53rd annual President’s Community Breakfast.

Marist honored three distinguished members of the Hudson River Valley community at the College’s 53rd annual President’s Community Breakfast on Nov. 30. The honorees all received President’s Awards for Community Service from President Kevin Weinman for their significant contributions to the local area.The breakfast recognized Freddimir Garcia '09/'14MBA, Nicole Fenichel-Hewitt, and Brian Doyle '73/'90MPA.“These distinguished honorees have made valuable contributions to our community through their exceptional commitment and leadership,” said Weinman. “They have collectively made the Hudson River Valley a better, more vibrant, and more equitable place to live. We are proud to recognize Brian, Nicole, and Freddy for their embodiment of the Marist principles of excellence in education, a sense of community, and a commitment to service.”Marist has long benefited from strong partnerships with the surrounding community. Weinman highlighted the College’s Liberty Partnership Program and Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership as just two of the many programs students are engaged in that offer experiential learning, internship experiences, and real-world application of the skills they’re learning in the classroom.Garcia is Equity and Inclusion Officer at the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, an organization representing more than 13,000 real estate professionals.“I am truly humbled to be recognized by the institution that has already given me so much,” said Garcia. “It was truly a blessing when I chose to come to Marist. It’s easy to give back when you are part of a place that values the creation of community and commitment to service. These are some of the most caring, dedicated, impactful and committed individuals of the Hudson Valley, and never did I ever imagine seeing myself up here.”Fenichel-Hewitt is executive director of the Art Effect, an organization that introduces local youth to visual arts and media by giving them the opportunity to develop their voice and their futures.“I was thinking about how much I love coming to this campus. It’s a place of learning and growing and challenging oneself to keep striving to be better,” said Fenichel-Hewitt. “I do what I do because it feels good to do things that bring out the best in people. I’m so humbled to be honored by such an incredible learning institution.”Doyle has a connection to Marist that spans more than five decades, as an undergraduate student, graduate student and adjunct professor. Retiring after more than a decade as CEO of Family Services, he oversaw a nonprofit that serves as a lifeline to those in need. The organization provides critical support services in behavioral health, victim services, family programs, youth services, and community safety and prevention.“I have much to be grateful for, and Marist College having offered me that chance to engage in true experiential learning is a huge a part of who I am today,” said Doyle. “My work in human services goes back 50 years when at Marist, I spent a semester immersed in field work in Red Hook. I worked for the Office of Economic Opportunity and learned about people who endured daily circumstances of deprivation and trauma which would then be passed on from one generation to the next.”The President’s Award is the longest-standing community service honor in the region.

29 Mar 2023

From a memo to the Marist College community from Ross Mauri ’80, Chair of Marist’s Board of Trustees, and President Kevin Weinman, Sept. 10, 2022:

It is with a heavy heart that we share news of the passing of Bro. Seán Sammon, FMS ’70, a member of Marist’s Board of Trustees and Scholar in Residence at Marist since 2010. A former Superior General of the Marist Brothers worldwide, Brother Seán was an extraordinary leader and an even better human being, universally loved and admired by all who knew him. He was known to Marist students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends alike as a caring, thoughtful, and insightful individual with a remarkable ability to listen and engage in respectful dialogue. He will be dearly missed.A resident of the Marist campus for the past 12 years, Brother Seán had a unique ability to connect with others, and he was a tremendously positive influence on campus life. A frequent presence at events, he was an outstanding mentor to countless Marist students. Drawing on his academic background and professional experience, he frequently lectured on leadership and interpersonal relations to campus groups such as the Emerging Leaders Program. Brother Seán was also a great cook, and he was famous for hosting dinners for students and alumni alike. In 2017, he played an instrumental role in bringing the Marist Novitiate to Kirk House. As novice director, he helped prepare young men for the life of a Marist Brother in the 21st century. On our Board of Trustees, Brother Seán chaired the Academic Affairs Committee for the past nine years, doing a wonderful job leading that committee’s work overseeing all aspects of academic life at Marist. In this role, he was deeply committed to promoting academic excellence, as well as mutual respect and constructive dialogue between the Board of Trustees and the faculty. Brother Seán cared greatly about the student experience as well, serving on the Board’s Student Life and Diversity and Inclusion Committees. During Board meetings, he could always be counted upon for insightful contributions, reasoned analysis, and unfailing collegiality.Brother Seán was born to immigrant parents in Manhattan in 1947. He studied psychology at Marist, graduating in 1970, and was drawn to religious life through his contact with the Marist Brothers, admiring their way of life and sense of community. Brother Seán went on to earn a master’s in psychology from the New School for Social Research and a doctorate in clinical psychology from Fordham University. He worked as a licensed psychologist in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts before assuming a series of leadership roles in the Marist Brothers. While serving as provincial of the Poughkeepsie Province, he was elected asassistant superior general and then superior general, based in Rome.From 2001 to 2009, Brother Seán served as superior general of the Marist Brothers, overseeing the work of more than 4,000 Brothers in 79 countries. He established a relationship between the Brothers and the United Nations Human Rights Council, and was the only Brother to serve on the Vatican’s Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, which advises the Pope and makes policy decisions for religious orders worldwide. He was also president of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, a group representing the leadership of Catholic religious congregations within the United States.A prolific writer and scholar, Brother Seán was the author of nearly a dozen books, including A Heart That Knew No Bounds: The Life and Mission of Saint Marcellin Champagnat, Alcoholism’s Children: ACoAs in Priesthood and Religious Life, and An Undivided Heart: Making Sense of Celibate Chastity. His 2016 book Life After Youth: The Story of One Man’s Journey Through the Transition at Midlife garnered an award from the Catholic Press Association. In 2020, he received the National Religious Vocation Conference’s Outstanding Recognition Award for his lifetime body of work and vision for religious life. He had previously received the St. Edmund’s Medal of Honor from the Edmundite Fathers and Brothers for his contributions to the Catholic Church.Memories of Brother SeánA true idealist until the very end, Brother Seán once told me that “if you can’t change the world all at once, change it one person at a time.” He was truly the best mentor and friend that I could have ever asked for, and was always there for us whenever we needed him the most. Brother Seán would always share the best stories from his international travels, and — often over an incredible homemade meal — would challenge us to consider how we can make the world a better place while inspiring us to be the best versions of ourselves. He was a legend that touched many lives and will never be forgotten. —Andrew Paulsen ’12I have been extraordinarily blessed with the good fortune of knowing Seán since we were freshmen in high school. Our introduction to adolescence came by reading The Catcher in the Rye in English class and years later our intellectual curiosity saw us writing our dissertations on the same theory of Adult Development in Psychology. His passion and caring for others was his signature virtue. His friendship was part of our family life for over 50 years. Whatever idealism, compassion, and commitment to social justice I may have came by way of nurturing from Seán. I had the privilege of visiting him two weeks before he passed away. We spent a long afternoon talking, laughing, and facing the grim realization that he wasn’t getting any better. We hugged goodbye late that afternoon with sorrowful but hope-filled hearts.Like St. Marcellin Champagnat, a man that he greatly admired and loved, Sean was a person whose “heart knew no bounds.” He was a man in love with God. We all have benefited by calling him cherished “friend” and beloved “B/brother.”—Dr. Anthony Miserandino ’70

21 Oct 2022

Professor of History David Woolner has received the 2023-2024 Fulbright Danish Distinguished Scholar Award in American Studies

Marist College Professor of History David Woolner has received the 2023-2024 Fulbright Danish Distinguished Scholar Award in American Studies. 

11 Apr 2023

Alumni survey responses were key to identifying priorities.

A committee representing all members of the Marist College community is developing a new strategic plan for the College.“This plan will serve as the blueprint for Marist’s future,” said Marist President Kevin C. Weinman, “building upon all that this incredible institution has accomplished to date while charting a bold and ambitious vision for its future.”Weinman announced the kickoff of the strategic plan process in a May memo to Marist staff. He said his goal is to provide a proposal to the College’s Board of Trustees for their review and approval at the board’s May 2023 meeting.The initiative is being led by a steering committee made up of deans, faculty members, staff members, and Student Government Association president Gabriel Borbon ’23. Co-chairing the committee are Dr. James Snyder, dean for academic engagement and associate professor of philosophy, and Dr. Emily Saland, vice president of strategic initiatives and chief of staff.One of the committee’s first tasks is to assess the impact and outcomes of Marist’s 2018–2023 strategic plan. The committee also is seeking input for the new plan from all facets of the College community—faculty, students, staff, alumni, and friends.For updates on the new strategic plan, visit https://www.marist.edu/strategic-plan-2023

25 Oct 2022

Marist Announces First Senior Leadership Position Dedicated to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Following a national search, Marist College announced the appointment of Dr. Edward P. Antonio to the newly created position of vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Antonio brings nearly 20 years of advanced DEI experience to Marist, having served most recently as chief diversity officer at Concordia College in Minnesota. He also has 25 years of experience teaching undergraduate and graduate students at universities in Europe, Africa, and the US. At Marist, he is leading the inaugural office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, partnering with President Kevin Weinman, his colleagues on the President’s Cabinet, and faculty and staff across the campus to develop a strategic direction for DEI initiatives, build community, establish a system of accountability, and develop resources to support diversity initiatives.“We must continue to make progress towards the College’s goal of becoming a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable institution,” said Weinman. “While this work is the responsibility of each and every member of our community, it also requires vision and coordination by skilled leaders. Dr. Antonio has a proven track record as a DEI strategist and has implemented initiatives at other academic institutions with great success. I look forward to working closely with him to achieve similar successes here at Marist.”“I am excited to be joining Marist at this pivotal moment in its history,” said Antonio. “What is especially exciting about the role of the vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion at Marist are the many opportunities it provides to motivate and galvanize the College for good, transformative change.”Antonio had served at Concordia College since 2017, where he created DEI training and educational programs to support faculty and staff in their work with students. He also helped to create a yearlong Inclusive Teaching and Diversity Leadership Certificate program for faculty and staff and provided training to academic departments on implicit bias and belonging. In partnership with campus leaders, he also created and secured various scholarship programs for students from marginalized communities.In addition, Antonio supported and consolidated LGBTQ+-related work at Concordia, overseeing a program designed to empower students to develop empathy and understanding of difference through storytelling. He participated in the creation of the Bias Incident Response Team and chaired the Diversity Council.Prior to his time at Concordia, Antonio served as associate dean of diversities at Iliff School of Theology in Colorado. There, he created the Office of Diversity and played a lead role in the strategic planning process. He worked to ensure that DEI was embedded in the curriculum, directed the Social Justice Program, and coordinated one of Iliff’s signature programs on identity, power, and difference. He was also responsible for creating and overseeing the Title IX office.Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at MaristMarist’s commitment to DEI and social justice is reflected in initiatives such as the Marist College Diversity Leadership Institute and the Marist Center for Social Justice Research. Antonio will build on these initiatives while also creating new opportunities. As a member of the President’s Cabinet and a visible presence on campus, he will also have a strong voice in all institutional initiatives and priorities.“The College community is already doing important social justice work toward equity, diversity, and inclusion,” said Antonio. “My work and leadership at Marist will be informed by the values of equity, inclusion, and belonging. I will work with all stakeholders, with all members of the College community to embed these values in everything that Marist is about and in all its structures, policies, procedures, practices, and relationships. I know that students, staff, and faculty are ready to go beyond diversity to the next phase, to become a more deeply welcoming and inclusive college with a strong culture of belonging, an actively anti-racist culture, and a shared equity mindset. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead and guide this essential work.”

15 Oct 2022

Three Marist College professors within the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences have received prestigious Spencer Education Grants to enhance their research focused on social justice and equity.

Dr. Carol Rinke and Dr. Christina Wright Fields together have been awarded a Spencer Education Grant to conduct their research entitled The Storied Experiences of Teachers of Color through Photovoice. Dr. Vanessa Lynn also received the grant to study the undergraduate education and faculty experience of criminology and criminal justice programs and the curriculum surrounding race. Lynn’s research is entitled Race Pedagogies in Criminal Justice/Criminology.Rinke, who is assistant dean for the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and associate professor of education, and Wright Fields, assistant professor of education, are partnering with researchers from Rutgers University-Newark, including Rinke’s prior research partner, Dr. Lynnette Mawhinney.This work will continue and extend Rinke and Mawhinney’s co-authored book, There Has to be a Better Way: Lessons from Former Urban Teachers, which was released in 2019. “In previous research, we found that teachers of color were subject to microaggressions in many educational workspaces. This project is an effort to dig deeper into the particular experiences of teachers of color in P-12 schools, using their own perspectives to shape counter-narratives of schooling,” said Rinke.The research will utilize the Photovoice methodology in partnership with three groups of 20 educators to capture their experiences with visual findings. This methodology allows research participants to capture their everyday realities and visually provide valuable insights and data to the investigators.“We selected this methodology and applied it to P-12 teachers because we valued the way it encouraged participants to capture their own realities, rather than an outside researcher doing so on their behalf — we found it to be an empowering approach,” said Rinke.The motivation for this research stems from the frequent experiences of educators challenged by a system that is resistant to change and adaptability, leading to increased turnover within the profession. Rinke, Wright Fields, and the researchers at Rutgers University-Newark aim to understand the disillusionment for educators of color. “This project is an effort to engage directly with teachers, understand what may be some sources of this disillusionment for teachers of color in particular, and engage educators in a collective effort to challenge those experiences,” said Rinke. Dr. Vanessa Lynn, assistant professor of criminal justice, alongside researchers at Idaho State University, will conduct research over the next three years on how faculty learned how to discuss race in Criminal Justice and Criminology courses. “Our study aims to examine how the educational experiences of faculty who teach in criminology and criminal justice programs shape the pedagogical practices related to race within their classes,” said Lynn.Lynn, along with Dr. Deirdre Caputo-Levine of Idaho State University, will interview faculty across the nation and examine professors' syllabi in undergraduate-level courses. “Our study will allow us to investigate the relationship between graduate school experiences and the ways that faculty members construct race as an object of knowledge within courses in criminology and criminal justice programs,” said Lynn.In her research, Lynn hopes to understand how academic departments educate on bias within the criminal justice system.With three faculty members being awarded grants from the Spencer Education Research Foundation across two different studies, Rinke highlights the importance of their social justice and equity focus.“It’s quite significant that three faculty members from within Social and Behavioral Sciences have been awarded grants from the Spencer Educational Research Foundation for projects focused on issues of social justice and equity,” said Rinke. “The long-standing efforts of our faculty to engage with the local community around topics of mutual importance are now being recognized externally and supported in their application and expansion.”

09 Oct 2022

A National Institutes of Health grant will offer Marist students the opportunity to complete 10-week lab-based research experiences over three summers.

Marist has received a $346,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the chromatin-mediated maintenance of genomic integrity in germ lines.Associate Professor of Chemistry Elisa Woolridge is leading a team comprised of Associate Professor of Biology Megan Dennis; part-time Marist faculty member Dr. Paula Checchi; Dr. Teresa Lee, assistant professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts–Lowell; and Dr. Gordon Lithgow, director of interdisciplinary research at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in California.Through this grant, Marist students have the opportunity to complete 10-week research experiences over three summers in the laboratories of Drs. Lee and Lithgow. In addition, Marist students will benefit from the development and implementation of course-based undergraduate research experiences within several of Marist’s biology laboratories. The work is anticipated to provide insight into the causes of human reproductive disorders and will generate findings that inform therapeutic strategies for infertility.

07 Oct 2022

The National Science Foundation support will allow students to focus on academic success and improve performance in gateway STEM courses as they pursue undergraduate degrees in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or environmental science.

The National Science Foundation has awarded Marist’s School of Science a $1,480,254 grant to support high-achieving low-income students in STEM majors. Eleven freshmen, majoring in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and environmental science, started their journey as scholars in the program this fall.The project, entitled "Gateway to Success: Combining Financial, Academic, and Psychosocial Supports to Promote Academic Success of Low-Income STEM Majors," was spearheaded by Dean of the Marist School of Science Alicia Slater and Associate Dean Neil Fitzgerald. School of Science Associate Dean Neil Fitzgerald. Photo: Carlo de Jesus/Marist College.“This grant is a major milestone for the School of Science and a valuable tool in our efforts to help all students reach their full potential,” said Slater. “It is our hope that theprograms we begin for the S-STEM scholars will promote the academic success of alllow-income students in the future.”The overall goal of the project is to increase STEM degree completion among high-achieving undergraduates with significant financial need. In particular, the project willallow students to focus on academic success and improve student performance in gateway STEM courses. It includes strong mentoring and career planning support while fostering a sense of belonging to both the campus and community and adding to the professional formation of students’ science identities.“Expanding educational opportunity is one of our very highest priorities,” said Marist President Kevin Weinman. “This grant increases Marist’s ability to attract, enroll, and retain a diverse group of talented students regardless of their financial circumstances, and we are grateful to the NSF for recognizing the importance of this work.”Over its six-year duration, this project will cover all billable charges for a total of up to 23 full-time students or “S-STEM scholars” pursuing undergraduate degrees in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or environmental science as well as a laptop and research and travel funding. Students will participate in a funded summer bridge program, take gateway classes as a cohort, reside in a living–learning community, have dedicated faculty advisors, and receive experiential and employment opportunities to reduce financial need and provide valuable discipline-based experience.All S-STEM scholars will also take Marist’s liberal arts core, reflecting Marist’s mission of developing well-rounded students.

01 Oct 2022

Marist students won 3 of 26 scholarships available across the US from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Three Marist fashion students were honored this past fall with design scholarship awards from the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). The winners, Allissa Divak ’23, Marina Matozzo ’23, and Tara Sears ’23, earned 3 of a total of 26 CFDA scholarships available across the country. The awards are $25,000 scholarships, funded by sponsors, for undergraduate juniors and first-year graduate students graduating in 2023 who are enrolled in a fashion design program at an American college or university.

30 Mar 2023

A Fulbright grant will allow biomedical sciences major Shivani Patel ’22 to pursue her commitment to improving palliative care in the United States by supporting research on unique models of such care in India.

Shivani Patel ’22 has been selected as a 2022–2023 Fulbright US student grant recipient, giving her an opportunity to study youth volunteerism within the palliative care sector in India. Palliative care is a form of preventative medicine that utilizes a holistic, individualized approach to improve the quality of life by relieving suffering.Patel began her grant period in Kolkata, West Bengal, attending healthcare management research seminars. There she also volunteered at Nirmal Hriday, Mother Teresa’s Home for the Dying Destitutes, in Kalighat, Kolkata. She spent time with the female patients, caring for their wounds, feeding them and performing chores for them. Then she moved to the Institute of Palliative Medicine in Kozhikode, Kerala, where she has been observing patient care and taking part in workshops and courses.Patel, who majored in biomedical sciences degree and minored in chemistry, was a huge part of the campus community both on and off-campus during her time at Marist. As a first-generation student, she says she was always service-oriented because it was a great way for her to learn about the world and develop her own passions. Her activities have included serving as a hospice volunteer in her hometown of Danbury, CT.She was involved in a number of extracurricular activities on campus, most notably with one of Marist’s largest student fundraising endeavors, “Hudson Rally for St. Jude,” for which she served as executive director during her senior year. This work contributed to Marist being recognized by St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital as a top recruiting and fundraising college. She also was involved in Marist’s Upward Bound program.Following her Fulbright grant year and future studies, she plans to become a pediatrician.“My experiences at Marist have deepened my commitment to pursuing a career in medicine,” she said. “For me, engaging with my community has always been a reciprocal, moving experience of learning, growing, and giving back. As an aspiring pediatrician, it would be a privilege to nourish a positive outlook on healthcare amongst families and children in my community.”Marist has been recognized by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs four times over the past 10 years as a High Producing Institution for US Fulbright Student Grants.The Fulbright Program is primarily funded through an annual appropriation made by the US Congress to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. More than 2,200 US students and more than 900 US college and university faculty and administrators are awarded Fulbright grants annually. Fulbright alumni have become heads of state, judges, ambassadors, cabinet members, CEOs, and university presidents, as well as leading journalists, artists, scientists, and teachers.

03 Oct 2022

A former journalist and former VP of marketing and communications at Quinnipiac University, Daryl Richard ’97 also brings nearly two decades of experience in leadership roles overseeing communications and public affairs at Fortune 100 companies.

Daryl Richard ’97 has been appointed to serve as Marist’s first vice president of communications and marketing. Richard brings to Marist extensive experience in both higher education and the private sector, most recently serving as vice president of marketing and communications at Quinnipiac University.In this new leadership role at Marist, he will help drive the College’s marketing and communications strategy and lead a team focused on highlighting distinctive stories and building Marist’s national reputation. Richard will report to Marist President Kevin Weinman and serve as a member of both the President’s Cabinet and Advisory Council.“I am grateful that Daryl has decided to return to Marist to lead our newly centralized communications and marketing function and look forward to working with him to enhance the institution’s profile,” said Weinman. “Daryl is an extremely accomplished communications professional and leader who will help showcase the many reasons we have become a top place to study, teach, and work. He also will be instrumental in introducing Marist to new audiences while helping keep our current Red Fox community engaged and informed."“I am humbled and honored to be asked to come home to Marist at this pivotal time in the College’s history,” said Richard. “The school had such a profound impact on my own personal growth, professional development, and career-readiness, and I am eager to help future generations of students know how this first-class institution will prepare them for lifelong success while making the Marist brand a household name."While at Quinnipiac, Richard launched the university’s first-ever message platform and brand campaign. He also helped deploy a digital news and content marketing platform that has now become a top driver of traffic to the university website and put greater emphasis on data analytics to help guide the university’s digital marketing and public relations strategies.Richard began his professional career in journalism, working as a reporter for the Hartford Courant and Time magazine. He then spent nearly two decades in various executive leadership roles overseeing communications and public affairs at Fortune 100 companies United Health Group and the Travelers before transitioning into higher education.Richard graduated magna cum laude, majoring in communication with a concentration in journalism and minoring in political science. While a student, he served as editor-in-chief of the Marist Circle student newspaper and also worked for the Marist Poll.

19 Oct 2022

From a memo to the Marist College community from Ross Mauri ’80, chair of Marist’s Board of Trustees, and President Kevin Weinman, April 21 , 2022:

It is with profound sadness that we must inform the Marist community of the passing of Ellen Hancock, immediate past chair of the Board of Trustees. A pioneering technology executive and philanthropist, Ellen was one of the most dedicated and influential members of our Board, having served as a trustee for 34 years, including more than seven years as chair.It would not be an overstatement to say that Ellen blazed a trail for women in the technology industry. She had a distinguished 29-year career at the IBM Corp., serving as one of the company’s first female executives at a time in which few women in the industry had such roles. By the 1990s, she had risen to senior vice president, overseeing its networking hardware, networking software, and software solutions divisions. Ellen was also a member of IBM’s Corporate Executive Committee and the IBM Worldwide Management Council. She later moved on to senior leadership roles at National Semiconductor Corp. and Apple Computer before serving as chief executive officer of Exodus Communications, Inc. and then president of Jazz Technologies, Inc.Service was a central part of Ellen’s life. As a longtime Marist trustee, she was involved in almost every board committee, most recently as a member of the Technology and Advancement committees. She also served on the Presidential Search Committee that brought Kevin to Marist last year. Ellen always provided sound counsel and asked probing and insightful questions, drawing on her technology expertise and many years of senior management experience. She pushed the College to be the best it could possibly be—rigorous academically, strong financially, reflective of the ideals of the Marist Brothers, and with a culture of good governance.In addition to Marist, Ellen lent her time and talents to many other organizations. At the time of her passing, she served on the boards of RAND Corp., the Institute of Advanced Catholic Studies, and Springboard Enterprises. She was also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and of C200, a women’s executive leadership organization. Ellen previously served on the board of Santa Clara University and on the corporate boards of Colgate-Palmolive, Aetna, Electronic Data Systems, and Ripcord Networks.Ellen was a steadfast supporter of Marist, and she generously provided the lead gift for the Hancock Center, one of the anchors of our campus. This building and the innovation it nurtures will be part of her enduring legacy, as will the endowed scholarship established by the board in her name. Ellen actively supported this fund in order to share the gift of a Marist education with talented undergraduate students.The magnificent Hancock Center was perhaps closest to Ellen’s heart because it combined so many of her passions: technology, innovation, collaboration, and academic excellence. She envisioned this building as a means to infuse technology into all of Marist’s academic areas. She wanted students of all majors to exchange ideas, develop their creative instincts, and understand how technology is changing their disciplines and future careers. The diversity of programs housed in the Hancock Center is a testament to Ellen’s vision: the School of Computer Science and Mathematics, Marist Poll, Student Investment Center, Marist-IBM Joint Study, Marist International Programs, Institute for Data Center Professionals, Enterprise Computing Research Laboratory, Office of Academic Affairs, and many others. Ellen often spoke of the importance of "aha!” moments, those occasions in which novel ideas are born. The Hancock Center will be facilitating these moments for generations to come, and it’s hard to imagine a more fitting tribute to this building’s namesake.

23 Oct 2022