A group of Marist students dedicated their Spring Break to helping families in need.

The College’s Habitat for Humanity Club traveled to Louisiana, where 10 students, led by advisors, worked on building new homes near New Orleans.

13 Apr 2023

The Marist Mindset List, composed by a trio of Marist faculty, list focuses on a variety of academic disciplines where incoming students are making an impact, and its primary purpose is to give students, their faculty, and even their parents a sense of common ground to spark meaningful conversations, both in and out of the classroom.

The Class of 2026 has arrived, and this year’s group of incoming students has hit the ground running in hopes of being at the back end of the COVID-19 pandemic. This group comes to college having lived much of their high school years with disruptions and due to COVID-19 are looking for a sense of “normal.” This experience has been impactful to this new group of students, who like any incoming class, has a unique take on cultural references and interests.Each year, the Marist Mindset List is crafted as a “cultural compass” exploring the triumphs and challenges for incoming college students. Also known as the “always/never” list, the Marist Mindset List digs into topics spanning public health in addition to political, computer, and environmental sciences as well as fashion and diversity, and equity and inclusion. The list features 10 items in all, which include additional reading in the form of links to sources and, in some cases, living examples of items. Much of the Class of 2026 was born in 2004, so cultural references were entered with that in mind.The list is compiled each year by the Marist Mindset team of Tommy Zurhellen, associate professor of English; Dr. Vanessa Lynn, assistant professor of criminal justice; and Joyce Yu-Jean Lee, assistant professor of art and digital media.“The Marist Mindset List for the Class of 2026 is particularly interesting to me, because we’re seeing how incoming students react to the gradual end of the pandemic that has already affected their academic paths in so many ways,” said Zurhellen. “COVID may be waning, but COVID fatigue is still very much a factor in the choices our students make. This year’s list certainly reflects that unique trend.”“While every Marist Mindset List has explored what touches and impacts an incoming class, this year we also see how many of the phenomena listed impact so many of us,” said Lynn, Marist Mindset Faculty Fellow. “I'm excited about that, because the list can be truly intergenerational.”The annual Mindset List was created at Beloit College in Wisconsin to reflect the world view of entering first year students—and to help faculty understand incoming classes. In 2019, the list moved to Marist, becoming the Marist Mindset List. Under the direction of Zurhellen, who is a Beloit alumnus, the list has become a collaborative effort each year with Marist faculty and students from different disciplines with diverse backgrounds.The 2022 Marist Mindset List for the Class of 2026Sports CommunicationThe Class of 2026 has always known LeBron James as the most recognizable sports icon on the planet. LeBron James entered the NBA in 2003 and in 2004, the year many of the Class of 2026 were born, his jersey topped the best-seller list for the first time; in 2022, James’s jersey still tops the list.Political ScienceFor incoming students, Hillary Clinton has always had a more significant role in American politics than Bill Clinton. Although older Americans may think of Hillary Clinton as primarily First Lady from the 1990s, incoming students born in 2004 only know her as a United States senator, secretary of state, and contemporary presidential candidate.Computer ScienceCreated in 2004, Facebook has been active for the entire lives of the Class of 2026. Although Facebook is only 19 years old, many incoming students already see the social media platform as outdated, preferring newer platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.EthicsIncoming students are the first generation in 50 years who must include their own reproductive rights as part of their overall college decision. The recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade will affect so many decisions for young women, who currently make up 59 percent of college students in America.Global StudiesThe Class of 2026 will be the first since the “Duck and Cover” generation of the Cold War to live with the real possibility of world war and global conflict. The Russian invasion of Ukraine echoes the experiences of growing up during the Cold War, but today’s digital technology makes the images of war much more visceral.Environmental ScienceThe debate on climate change is over. Incoming students are now the first generation faced with the omnipresent reality to actually effect change to combat global warming. Greta Thunberg has set the stage for youth activism; now, incoming students are part of a new generation increasingly demanding legal reforms to improve future generations’ lives. Diversity, Equity, and InclusionThe Class of 2026 is the first cohort in recent memory for whom knowledge about a diverse country and world is actually regressing. Thirty-five states have recently introduced and/or passed legislation to either ban or censor teaching about race, sexual orientation, gender identity, and American history in schools.Public HealthIncoming students are still recovering from the mental health impact of COVID and COVID fatigue. Mental health has been an issue for some time, but the Class of 2026 is still recovering from the effects of the pandemic on their mental health.EducationThe Class of 2026 is the first to realistically see the possibility of canceling or reducing student debt. The Biden administration has publicly announced its determination to tackle the rise of crippling student debt. Will they get results?FashionIncoming students are aware of fashion sustainability, but nevertheless social media and influencer culture draw them to cheaper and faster options from online retailers. Students have a better understanding of sustainability than previous generations, but their consumer choices do not reflect a strong commitment to protecting the environment.See a full breakdown of this year’s Marist Mindset List for the Class of 2026 here.

28 Oct 2022

This past fall, the innovative Marist Poll team accurately measured the winners in Senate and gubernatorial contests across the nation, thanks to new, scientific polling methodologies.

This fall, the Marist Poll team tracked public opinion in the most hotly contested Senate and gubernatorial races across the country, and the results were spot-on! The Marist Poll accurately measured the winners in each of the called U.S. Senate and gubernatorial contests polled this election cycle. The Marist Poll’s success this year is the result of the implementation of new, scientific polling methodologies aimed at addressing the broader challenges confronting the polling community.Always innovators in the field of survey research and academia, the Marist Poll rigorously tested these methodologies during the year prior to the 2022 midterms, and the effort proved fruitful. The Marist Poll looks forward to sharing the insights from its election polls with the broader survey community as well as the hundreds of student workers, interns, and researchers who are at the fore of the Marist Poll Survey Center every semester.With an eye on the key issues driving the electorate, the Marist Poll also tracked the 2022 midterm elections with its national polling partners, NPR and PBS NewsHour. The NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll measured public opinion on President Joe Biden’s job performance, the economy, the labor force, and much more. In total, the Marist Poll conducted 12 public battleground state polls and 2 national surveys since Sept. 1, generating an estimated ad value equivalency of more than $300 million, according to the media monitoring service Meltwater.Also last fall, it was the Marist Poll’s distinguished pleasure to participate in the Office of College Advancement’s October event for the Washington, DC, alumni chapter. These two action-packed days began with an informal dinner with Marist President Kevin Weinman and distinguished political journalists with whom the Marist Poll has worked over the decades. The Marist Poll also hosted a luncheon where Marist Poll alumni had the chance to get to know President Weinman. The culmination of the trip was the broader gathering of Marist’s DC alumni chapter during which Dr. Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, had the distinct honor of leading the discussion between Weinman and Marist’s best and brightest. From Marist students past to the present, undergraduates in Miringoff’s Political Communication and Politics course have, once again, experienced an insider’s view of the field. On-campus and virtual guest speakers this semester have included Congressman Jamie Raskin, author of Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy and who served as the lead impeachment manager in the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump; Lisa Desjardins, PBS NewsHour correspondent; Steve Thomma, executive director of the White House Correspondents Association; David Lightman, chief congressional correspondent for McClatchy; and Ron Brownstein, CNN senior political analyst and senior editor at The Atlantic.The Marist Poll would also like to take a moment to thank Marist alumni, staff, and friends of the College who contributed to the Marist Poll’s GiveCampus campaign. Those generous donations funded two student fellowship positions. The Marist Poll Summer Fellow for Distinguished Service in Media was awarded to Greta Stuckey ’23 who demonstrated outstanding journalistic integrity, exemplary writing and research skills, a passion for the media industry, and proven leadership ability. Sarah Knauss ’23 was named the Marist Poll Summer Fellow for Distinguished Service in Data Science which is awarded to a Marist College student who demonstrates exceptional analytical writing and research skills, exhibits a strong interest in the field of survey research and/or data analysis, and is a proven leader.  For those who might have missed it, the Marist Poll, in conjunction with the Marist Center for Sports Communication, surveyed Americans about Title IX, 50 years after the passage of this groundbreaking legislation. To commemorate the anniversary of Title IX in June, the Marist Poll and the Marist Center for Sports Communication hosted a virtual panel featuring female luminaries in sports, broadcasting, and policy. Marist Poll Director of Data Science and Technology Stephanie Calvano ’04 moderated the panel which included Margaret Dunkle, architect of Title IX; Aditi Kinkhabwala, former national reporter for the NFL Network; Rebecca Lobo, WNBA and women’s college basketball analyst and reporter for ESPN and former WNBA All-Star; Jane McManus, executive director of Seton Hall’s Center for Sports Media; and Julianne Viani ’08, basketball analyst in sports broadcasting for ESPN, CBS Sports Network, NBC Sports, and YES Network, as well as other networks.  

15 Feb 2023

NYSAF will work with the College to lend professional expertise to its curricular programs as Marist students serve as interns and staff members.

New York Stage and Film at Marist College returns to Poughkeepsie July 14-August 6 for its 2023 Summer Season, which will feature a combination of emerging artists and Hollywood and Broadway headliners.

27 Mar 2023

Best-selling author Jeff Kinney will address traditional undergraduates of the Class of 2023 at Marist’s commencement ceremony May 20 and adult undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students will be honored the night before with Jerome Pickett ’98 as their commencement speaker.

Best-selling author of the popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and cartoonist Jeff Kinney will address traditional undergraduates of the Class of 2023 at Marist College’s Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 20 on the Campus Green. Adult undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students will be honored the night before, with esteemed Class of 1998 Marist alumnus, Jerome Pickett, serving as Commencement speaker.

28 Mar 2023

Marist alumnus Dr. Edward Summers ’04/’06M, founder of Bronx-based the Thinkubator, has been named to Robin Hood’s Power Fund, a new initiative supporting leaders of color and their organizations.

Marist alumnus Dr. Edward Summers ’04/’06M, founder of Bronx-based the Thinkubator, has been named to Robin Hood’s Power Fund, a new initiative supporting leaders of color and their organizations. Robin Hood, New York City’s largest poverty-fighting organization, funds impactful and scalable solutions to lift families out of poverty. The Power Fund invests in leaders who share Robin Hood’s mission of increasing economic mobility while championing racial and economic justice. Summers has dedicated his career to economic development in his hometown of the Bronx.To combat the barriers leaders of color face in accessing philanthropic dollars, the Power Fund takes a three-fold approach: a meaningful investment in an organization; targeted capacity-building and technical support; and a self-directed investment in the leader’s own development and elevation. The Power Fund was seeded with an initial investment of $10 million by Robin Hood and investors such as the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, BlackRock, and Capital One.In 2020, Summers founded the Thinkubator, an innovative nonprofit that provides education, career, and work-based learning opportunities for low-income youth in the Bronx. The Thinkubator harnesses their creativity through a youth-led design thinking consultancy, internships, workforce training, career development, job placement, a Youth Council, educational programming, and advocacy. With financial support from the Power Fund, the Thinkubator can now enhance and expand its work. Said Summers, “I am excited, humbled, and honored by this opportunity to elevate the work and impact of the Thinkubator. I look forward to the transformational impact this funding will have on our organization and on the youth and communities we serve.”A two-time Marist graduate, Summers served for seven years as Presidential Fellow and a member of the senior leadership team under Marist President Dennis J. Murray. He is currently on the College’s Alumni Executive Board as well as its Diversity & Inclusion Alumni Advisory Board. 

21 Jul 2021

The Hunger Walk takes place for the 29th year.

On Nov. 3, Marist students continued the tradition of the Hunger Walk for the 29th year. The walk was part of Hunger Month, a program organized each November by Campus Ministry.More than 600 people took part in the approximately 30-minute walk around the campus. Students donated $3 each. A total of $1,167 was raised, according to Br. Michael Flanigan, FMS, who has coordinated the Hunger Walk for the past 13 years.Additional activities during Hunger Month include the collection of non-perishable food and Buck Hunger, the collection of donations of a dollar or more.The food is donated to the food pantry at Dutchess Outreach of Poughkeepsie. The cash donations are made to Bread for the World, Lazarus House (Lawrence, MA), the Guadalupe Middle School in Brownsville, TX, and the Lunch Box Soup Kitchen at Dutchess Outreach. 

16 Nov 2021

Matthew Szymaszek, DO, has been helping people fight the coronavirus from the outset of the pandemic.

Matthew Szymaszek, DO, has been helping people fight the coronavirus from the outset of the pandemic.The Simsbury, CT, native and long-distance runner for the Marist track and field team graduated in 2007 but returned to the College to finish research that he started with Dr. Zofia Gagnon, a former associate professor of environmental science, before taking the MCAT — the Medical College Admission Test, a standardized test that is part of the medical school admissions process — in 2008. He began medical school at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, PA, where he met his wife, Lindsey, in 2009. After originally settling down in Delaware, the couple moved to Colorado. In the fall of 2019 Szymaszek started working in critical care for Pulmonary Associates in Colorado Springs, CO. Just a few months later, the world was rocked by the coronavirus. In March 2020, his work environment started changing. “I don’t think there was a single non-COVID patient at one time, and we have a couple different ICUs,” he said about the period around Thanksgiving 2020. “I think one of our towers — 16 beds — was all coronavirus patients, all on ventilators.”As the weeks and months went on, more data and research showed that there were more than just respiratory issues to deal with, namely blood clots that formed in kidneys. Still, day-to-day responsibilities didn’t change all that much. Szymaszek’s routine, he said, consists of “seeing everybody, making sure their work of breathing hadn’t changed, making sure they didn’t develop any other secondary organ disfunction — particularly, any kidney dysfunction — and then it’s symptomatic management after that.” Workplace efficiency, Szymaszek explained, was the primary way his job changed. “Taking care of patients is the primary focus,” he said, “but certainly, you still have to document everything that you’re doing. I think that was the biggest time crunch — trying to see everybody, making sure you weren’t missing anything, making sure all the nurses’ needs were addressed, talking with families.” Since the information about the virus was so fluid, the latter task was time-consuming and difficult to address. Hospital procedures and operation plans were updated daily, primarily in the limitation of visitors at the hospital and how to avoid clutter in ICUs. Patients were admitted to higher levels of care only when their need for additional oxygen escalated. Szymaszek and the other doctors gave input to the hospital’s higher-ups as well as each other. “It was our anecdotal experiences day in and day out that we would share with one another and learn from those things,” he said. One experience that proved to be an astute observation by one of the doctors was the beneficial impact of steroids. Results in the Randomized Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy (RECOVERY) trial involving hospitalized patients with COVID-19 showed that using dexamethasone over 10 days improved mortality.Learning from experience was a critical part of fighting an unknown enemy. “Our system as a whole, early on, developed a treatment algorithm as things were evolving and coming out of other countries,” Szymaszek said. The components of that algorithm have been and continue to be in flux. At first, they used convalescent plasma donations from recovered patients, which contain antibodies that can fight off the virus. Treatments that have been mainstays, Szymaszek explained, are steroids (such as dexamethasone and Solu-Medrol) and anticoagulation medicines, which help protect against blood clots.Of course, no treatments were discovered to be a magic wand. Steroids brought along problems in people with preexisting conditions, namely with blood-sugar levels. “That’s always been an ongoing battle…because they’re on high-dose steroids off and on for weeks and weeks,” Szymaszek said. “And if they have already have some underlying diabetes and other issues, it just becomes a nightmare to get those things under control.”Vaccines initially slowed the progression of cases and severity of disease, but the advent of the delta variant has only spurred more hospitalizations and unprecedented "crisis standards" of care for some hospital systems.  “We continue to have a steady influx of patients infected with coronavirus not just from the local community but also from hospital systems both in and out of the state,” said Szymaszek. “In the beginning of the pandemic, most patients were hospitalized with COVID and there was a noticeable decline in other medical conditions such as stroke or cardiac conditions and even trauma-related cases. Now, we have an increase in both COVID and other medical conditions which is why trying to find open beds for some systems is a challenge. At this stage of the pandemic the vast majority of cases can be prevented with vaccination, and yes, there are going to be breakthrough cases as more people are vaccinated, but the chances of requiring hospitalization or death are incredibly reduced. “The science is constantly evolving and I think that's what is hard for people to understand. What we knew a year or a few months ago may not be true today as we continue to learn more about this virus and its variants.” Szymaszek has paved himself numerous different paths to unwind and get away from work. One of the reasons the Szymaszeks moved to Colorado was to be close to Lindsey’s family so that her parents could help watch their children. Another was that it offered them plenty of outdoor activities. It’s a gold mine for the outdoorsy couple, who live on the north side of Garden of the Gods Park, in the foothills of Pikes Peak Mountain, and within hours of numerous skiing resorts. Szymaszek likes hiking, biking, fly fishing, and taking his boys — six-year-old Owen and five-year-old Evan — walking on nature trails. “My boys are in school and a local mask mandate has dramatically cut cases and quarantines for students and teachers when compared to when it was optional.”Staying true to his roots as a long-distance runner, Szymaszek competes in time trials with his college teammates. The pool of competitors features Sean Hopkins ’05, Sean Prinz ’06, Justin Harris ’07, Michael Schab ’06, and Michael Rolek ’08. Out of boredom during quarantine time, Prinz proposed the idea of doing competitions to stay active. They would pick various events and share the results with each other.Head coach Pete Colaizzo ’86 remembers Szymaszek — or as he called him, CT, the abbreviation for his home state — as “one of the highest-mileage guys on the team,” he said. “Always ran a lot. Always ran twice a day — early morning runs, late night runs, in addition to our practices. He’s the type of guy you just want on the team.”  Szymaszek continues to participate in triathlons and half Ironmans, with more races on the horizon this winter and spring. For him, running has always been more than exercise; it’s an emotional outlet.“I don’t think I would have been able to get through med school if it weren’t for the running,” he said. “That was the only thing that was consistent, [that] I knew I could rely on, to go out and clear my mind, think about stuff. That certainly still holds true now.” 

21 Jul 2021

We are excited to offer this online directory of alumni-owned businesses for alumni to list their business and for fellow alumni to support alumni-owned businesses around the world.

We are excited to offer this online directory of alumni-owned businesses for alumni to list their business and for fellow alumni to support alumni-owned businesses around the world.If you are a Marist graduate and own a business or are a partner in a business and you'd like to include it in the business directory, click here to submit your listing.*The Alumni Office has the right to remove a business listing at any time. To search the Alumni Business Directory, click http://maristconnect.marist.edu/businessdirectory.*Terms of UseThe use of information contained within for solicitation or any reason other than supporting a business is strictly prohibited. Marist College does not endorse or make any other representations concerning any of the businesses registered in the Directory. 

20 Aug 2021

The Alumni Career Network is a password-protected database maintained on the Marist network by both the Office of Alumni Relations and the Center for Career Services.

Marist Alumni Career NetworkThe Alumni Career Network is a password-protected database maintained on the Marist network by both the Office of Alumni Relations and the Center for Career Services. The network contains hundreds of names of individuals who are willing to be contacted by fellow alumni and current students about career choices and paths. You can search the network by occupation type, business title, business name or name of person. By entering the year of graduation or location you will narrow your search. *This network is for business networking purposes only among students, alumni, faculty, and staff. It may not be used for personal or corporate solicitation and contact. Marist College reserves the right to revoke access to any individual at any time. Note: This is a password-protected network. You must use your Marist credentials to log in; all Marist alumni have accounts. If you have not used your account recently or have never used it, please contact the Marist HELP Desk for activation at helpdesk@marist.edu or (845) 575-HELP (4357).Search the NetworkYou do not need to join the network in order to search it. Use your Marist Account to log in. If you don't know your account information, contact the Help Desk at (845) 575-4357. If you have not changed your password recently, you can do so at http://acctmgmt.it.marist.edu/.Join the NetworkThe more alumni who are part of the program the better, so sign up today! You do NOT need to login to your Marist Account to join the network.

20 Aug 2021

Assisting a foundation in supporting Maine nonprofits.

One reason Justin Burkhardt ’02 took his current job with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, in Portland, ME, was because the company was “mission-driven,” he says. Throughout the pandemic, he has had an opportunity to support that mission, alleviating food insecurity.Originally from Milford, NH, Burkhardt was a political science and American studies major at Marist. After graduating, he worked for Gov. Jeanne Shaheen, the first female governor of New Hampshire. When Shaheen became a US senator, Burkhardt joined her Washington, DC, staff and served as deputy chief of staff. After six and a half years on Capitol Hill, he relocated to Maine with his partner, David, and took a position as the marketing strategy manager with Harvard Pilgrim, a not-for-profit health care services company based in New England. The company’s mission is to improve the quality and value of health care for the communities it serves throughout the Northeast.His position involves not only developing marketing strategies but also assisting the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation in supporting Maine nonprofits. One program has been especially meaningful to him: Harvard Pilgrim’s Greater Portland COVID-19 Relief Meal Delivery Project.“During my time at Harvard Pilgrim, I have been involved in dozens of initiatives focused on giving back to the community,” he says. “However, this may be one of the most impactful.”When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in mid-March of 2020, Burkhardt was sent from his Portland office to work from his home in Cape Elizabeth, ME, for the rest of the year. That didn’t stop him from making an impact on his community, though. As part of his work with the foundation, he identified a Portland-based nonprofit, Cooking for Community, worthwhile of support. This newly formed initiative brought together food producers, restaurants, and agencies to ease food insecurity in the state. “Both of our missions aligned to help those in need,” said Burkhardt.Harvard Pilgrim partnered with Cooking for Community and the YMCA of Southern Maine to deliver meals to individuals and families impacted by the pandemic. Cooking for Community coordinated with local restaurants to prepare weekly meals, using many ingredients purchased from local farms. The YMCA of Southern Maine delivered the meals to homes across 24 towns. In its first 11 months of operation, from April 2020 to February 2021, Cooking with Community served more than 92,000 meals. Currently 2,200 meals a week are distributed through its partnerships with 20 social service organizations and 20 restaurants, putting dozens of food industry workers back to work.In addition, Burkhardt reached out to Maine’s nonprofit community to raise awareness about additional grant opportunities through the Harvard Pilgrim Foundation. From March to July 2020, the foundation gave more than $1.7 million in COVID-19 relief grants to help more than 70 small and large nonprofits throughout the state of Maine. “It feels,” said Burkhardt, “like we made a positive impact.”

Former Marist rower Hillary Saeger ’07 made the leap from the river to the ocean when she was asked to join the USRowing Coastal Development Group this past February.

Former Marist rower Hillary Saeger ’07 made the leap from the river to the ocean when she was asked to join the USRowing Coastal Development Group this past February. In contrast to traditional Olympic-style rowing, coastal rowing takes place in the rougher waters of the coastline and ocean. Competitors must deal with not only the surf but also other challenges that occur in open waters such as tides and currents. In her role, Saeger hopes to lead the way for the transition from traditional to coastal rowing and to make it more accessible for all athletes. “We want everyone to have the opportunity to try coastal rowing and take it to any level they want to,” explained Saeger. She noted that participants are hoping to increase interest in the sport in anticipation of its entry into the Olympics in 2028 Los Angeles. “I am looking forward to getting someone into a coastal boat for the first time and showing them what it's all about and how much more interesting it can be than traditional rowing,” she said.After graduating from Marist, Saeger returned to Boston, where she joined Riverside Boat Club and learned to scull. She trained for her first national team selection race two years after graduating. “I made the national team in 2009 in the lightweight women's quad and went on to place third at the world champs that year. After that, I stayed in the rowing community in Boston and went on to make a total of seven national teams, and earned three Worlds medals.” She took a break from lightweight rowing in 2019 and instead trained for the Coastal World Championships in Hong Kong, where she raced in the double and quad, placing fifth and sixth respectively.Saeger’s favorite rowing memory is from a race in Bled, Slovenia, for the World Championships in 2011. “I was in the lightweight women's quad and we were getting faster each race we did there and made it into the A final. During the A final race, in the last 500 meters, our stroke seat let out a roar and the whole boat just started moving faster. We finished and we were looking at the giant TV screen awaiting results. We got third by a tenth of a second and we all rejoiced together. All of my favorite memories involve working in a tight group and making something amazing happen because everyone is working together and trusts one another. That's when anything is truly possible.”Saeger was also named to the MAAC's 40th anniversary women’s rowing team, which highlights some of the top rowers in MAAC history. “I am honored to be recognized for my achievements over the years,” she says of the experience. “After college it has always felt like a continuum from what I learned at Marist. I took what I learned from rowing in the eight, but most important I took away what a committed group of women can do if they never doubt what they can achieve together. We were never the tallest, strongest, or most technical boat out racing but we definitely had the biggest heart, and that is what made our boat most successful. I hope my achievements can be shared with everyone I have rowed with at Marist and inspire others to keep going for their goals and dreams no matter what the odds seem against you.”

21 Jul 2021

Graduation was upon him and he was tossing around a few different career ideas that were focused on freelancing.

Graduation was upon him and he was tossing around a few different career ideas that were focused on freelancing. Unsure exactly what he wanted to do, Alec Rizzo ’17 decided to stay in his home state of Connecticut and pursue what he really wanted to do: make films, of any kind, including documentaries. He purchased his own equipment and began to freelance, jumping at any opportunity to gain experience behind the camera. He knew this would get him closer to his ultimate career path in film. After a year of freelancing after graduation, Rizzo landed a position as a production assistant for network content at WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) in Stamford, CT. The job has provided him with opportunities and travel he could have only imagined.Over the past year or so, Rizzo has traveled all over the country to produce content for the WWE Network’s original programming, including WWE24, a series of documentaries that chronicle a WWE superstar. One afternoon, he was heading to lunch when his boss, Dan Pucherelli ’02, approached him. “Hey, how do feel about traveling to Africa?” Pucherelli said. Without hesitation, Rizzo said yes, not only to gain experience, but also to embrace the opportunity to capture the culture, upbringing, and career of Kofi Kingston, WWE superstar and WWE champion at the time. The trip would be highlighted in the documentary WWE24 Kofi Kingston: The Year of Return, one of the many documentaries available on the WWE Network.Rizzo’s first step was to get his passport as he had never traveled out of the country. The trip began on May 29, 2020, with an overnight flight to Africa. Going to Ghana was a true homecoming experience for Kingston, his first visit back to his home country in 26 years, since leaving for the United States with his family as a child. With Kingston holding his first WWE championship title, it made for an even more dramatic return. While in Ghana, the film crew traveled to many villages and cities, witnessing a hero’s welcome for Kingston at nearly every stop over the course of the four-day trip. Rizzo and the film crew documented the entire trip, including Kingston meeting the president and king of Ghana.  “I’d do it all again,” said Rizzo of the experience and knowledge he gained not only professionally but personally in learning about the culture and history of Ghana. Following Rizzo’s trip to Ghana, his position has taken him to Des Moines, IA, Charlotte, NC, Chicago, IL, and Houston, TX, just to name a few. Rizzo knew before graduating from Marist that he wanted to be involved in filmmaking. “If you told me at graduation I’d be doing this, I’d say perfect, it’s exactly what I want to do. It didn’t happen right after graduation. I had to go and find it.”  He credits Marist for the internship opportunities and the hands-on classes that provided him with the skills and knowledge to “get out there” and freelance after graduation. More specifically, he recalls Jeff Bass’s class in Avid Media Composer, an industry standard for film and video editing. “I always had the confidence as soon as I got the camera in my hand that I’d be fine, I could do it, because of Marist.”  His freelance work provided him the opportunity at WWE, but ultimately, it was Marist that set the foundation he needed. “I don’t think anything I’ve done is significantly special or is out of reach for anyone at Marist right now. Anyone can do what I did and am doing. There’s so much to do and learn at WWE,” he said. “You have to want it and have the passion for what you want to do.” 

21 Jul 2021

Maxwell Brodsky, Tampa Bay’s digital operations manager, is watching the game from a press box with a few coworkers, preparing content for the end of the game, which at that point they think will end in a Tampa Bay victory.

It’s the third quarter of Super Bowl LV. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are leading the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 21–9. Maxwell Brodsky, Tampa Bay’s digital operations manager, is watching the game from a press box with a few coworkers, preparing content for the end of the game, which at that point they think will end in a Tampa Bay victory. When the Bucs tack on 10 more points, the group feels all the more confident that the Bucs will secure their second Super Bowl in franchise history and first in nearly 20 years.Brodsky, who grew up a diehard New York Giants fan, said that rooting for a team that you work for is a much different experience than simply rooting for a team. “You always root for the team that you’re on ’cause you’re part of it,” the 2013 Marist graduate said. “You’re a family. It’s part of what you do. The NFL’s not a nine-to-five. It’s constant, so it’s a really huge part of your life.”When Tampa Bay linebacker Devin White intercepted a pass with less than two minutes remaining, Brodsky knew they sealed the deal. Brodsky’s been with the Bucs longer than all but six players. They didn’t win double-digit games or make the playoffs during the first four seasons he worked for them. This past season, they cleared both hurdles…and won the Super Bowl in dominating fashion. The press box, Brodsky explained, was a workplace, so there wasn’t supposed to be any cheering. Still, when the game ended, he couldn’t hold back his emotions. “I cried like a baby the second we won,” he proudly admitted. In 2016, the Buccaneers hired Brodsky to be a digital content coordinator, a position that tasked him — among other things — with posting videos and photo galleries to the Bucs’ website. He was promoted to senior digital content coordinator two years later, where he was given more stories to post as well as some new responsibilities — overseeing the format of the team’s website and app, pitching stories to writers, and more.As a digital operations manager, Brodsky is now tasked with dealing with the bigger picture. “What I try to focus on is basically ‘How does everything look? How can fans consume content? How well is our content doing?’ ” he said. Search engine optimization for website content is a big part of his job, as is using Google analytic tools to judge how well the content is doing. Brodsky put in years of hard work for multiple NFL teams before experiencing that dream-come-true moment. He studied sports communication at Marist. “All I knew was I wanted to be in sports in some capacity. I took as many classes as I could in sports comm.” He took journalism classes, which paid off in an unexpected way. Writing stories, he said, “wasn’t one of my fortes” but the classes taught how to write and structure titles and descriptions, a big part of his job.One class that he took and greatly enjoyed was a football coaching class taught by head coach Jim Parady and defensive coordinator Scott Rumsey. Brodsky excelled and inquired with them on being further involved with the team. He was hired as a student assistant. Among the many responsibilities he had, Brodsky cut film, set up drills, worked with quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends during practices, and helped coordinate special teams during games.Brodsky’s start in the sports world came as an affiliate editor for NBCOlympics.com. He wrote recaps of events, compiled analytic reports, and more for the 2014 Sochi Games. Following that, Brodsky interned with the New York Jets for six months and Green Bay Packers for a year. With the Jets, he worked with both digital media (uploading articles, photo galleries, and videos to the team website) and social media (creating posts for various platforms, mostly about the Jets cheerleading squad). He started to drift toward the digital media side in Green Bay, where he updated the team website, posted/created content, and coordinated live interviews from Lambeau Field.Moving to the location of each position, Brodsky said, is a lot to handle. He has lived in the market for each team he worked for, including three different apartments during his time with the Bucs. For the native of Connecticut, each place he has lived in, even New Jersey, the location of the Jets, is unique.Brodsky had to spend much of his time without his then-girlfriend, Rebecca, who was living in Japan and working as an English teacher. He was alone in Wisconsin and for the beginning of his time in Tampa. Rebecca returned from Japan with a cat, which necessitated a move to accommodate Casper, their new pet. They got another cat, Luna, before finding a townhouse to call home and tying the knot this past May.Wedding rings were the only rings in fashion for anyone associated with the Buccaneers when Brodsky arrived. The team hadn’t made the playoffs since 2007 and was toiling in mediocrity since 2015. The football gods finally smiled on Tampa Bay in the 2020 offseason, when Tom Brady decided to sign with the team. Brodsky had to prepare to go live at 8:00 in the morning the next day, which required him waking up four hours earlier to get everything ready.Brodsky, having experience with good and bad teams, said it’s much easier to cover a team that’s good because there is so much more to work with. “You have to be hopeful for the future, which is one of the important things, as well as focus on the specific good things,” he said. “So, if there’s a really cool highlight, roll with that. If the game’s not going so well, you have to just mention it and move on.”That probably won’t be the case as long as the Bucs keep this team intact. The young playmakers surrounding Brady and a rock-solid defense should allow Tampa Bay to compete for more titles until Brady decides to hang up his cleats for good. The excitement isn’t lost on Brodsky. “I get to listen to Tom Brady talk on a press conference for my job. It’s amazing,” he said.All of Brodsky’s work culminated in a night he’ll never forget. “The fact that we get to win it in our own home stadium was the coolest experience of my life,” Brodsky said. The road to get there has been a lifelong journey. He has always been a football fan, taking opportunities to get involved the sport and watching the NFL for as long as he can remember. Now, he’s a part of the league he grew up loving. “It’s always weird when you mix your hobby with your profession. But if you can do it and you can make it work, it’s just a great thing.” 

21 Jul 2021

Lauren Clarke ’13 and her family started a wish-granting charity honoring her sister.

Lauren Clarke ’13 and her family started a wish-granting charity honoring her sister. Colleen Clarke Bucket List Wishes Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation granting wishes to young adults with a life-limiting physical disability or life-threatening diagnosis. Through social media, Lauren reconnected with Allie Pasquale ’13 and Victoria Weisheit ’13. CCBLWishes was able to grant Allie the wish of redesigning a spare bedroom into a healing, oasis escape lounge and art studio. Victoria’s mother, Regina, served as the interior designer for Allie’s project. During the process, another group from the Marist Class of 2013 came together to donate an adorable mini-fridge to the room. “Allie and Victoria and I are forever grateful to Marist for bringing us together,” said Lauren, “and being able to reconnect through this experience was a gift to us all.”  

21 Jul 2021

You’re invited to join the Marist Alumni Book Club!

You’re invited to join the Marist Alumni Book Club! In this online community, alumni can connect with each other and enjoy books related to lifelong learning, social issues, literature, psychology, and other user-submitted ideas. There is no cost to participate — you just have to get a copy of the book to enjoy. You can sign up at https://www.pbc.guru/marist or keep reading to learn more.How it works:The book club will connect through a private online forum where people can discuss the current book and network with each other. The group will spend two months on each book, so you'll have plenty of time to read.Why should you join?1. Connect with fellow alumni2. Be a part of a lifelong learning community3. Reading is good for you! What will we read?We will vote among several options each period and select a book based on reader interests. Previous books have included Educated by Tara Westover and The Power by Naomi Alderman.How do I invite a friend to the book club?You can send a friend the sign-up link: https://www.pbc.guru/marist. The more the merrier!How often will books be read, what is the time commitment, and what are the expectations?We will spend about two months on each book. We will read books highlighting lifelong learning and personal growth, novels, and other books that take an average of nine hours to read cover to cover. If you have between one and two hours a week to read, you can make it happen!Will there be any in-person meetings of the book club?No, the book club will be entirely online. You can participate anywhere you have Internet access and on days and times that are convenient for you.Is there any cost to participate?Participation is free!How do book club discussions work?The book club will be moderated by a PBC Guru moderator who manages the forum and provides additional content related to the book. The moderator will pose questions to the group, share relevant articles, and facilitate conversation about topics in the book. Members will be encouraged to post and share as well. This format allows for ongoing conversation and makes it easy for readers to connect with each other through the forum.Marist has enlisted PBC Guru to manage the club and moderate the forums. They will help make this program a great experience for all participants. Please email them at info@pbc.guru with any questions or visit their website at http://www.pbc.guru to see more of what they do. 

13 Aug 2021

Each year the Marist Alumni Association presents the Alumni Leadership Award to two graduating seniors at the College’s Baccalaureate. The 2021 recipients of the award are Natalie D. Ford ’21 and Zachary F. Jacobs ’21. 

Each year the Marist Alumni Association presents the Alumni Leadership Award to two graduating seniors at the College’s Baccalaureate. The 2021 recipients of the award are Natalie D. Ford ’21 and Zachary F. Jacobs ’21. Ford, from Madison, MS, majored in fashion design. At Marist, she was president of the Class of 2021 and volunteered on the 2021 Commencement Committee, in Campus Ministry, at New York Fashion Week, in the Marist Community Garden, and as a tour guide with Ars et Fides.In addition, she worked as a campus tour guide and ambassador, a fashion design studio assistant, and a sales associate at Lily Rain.Jacobs, from Holliston, MA, majored in athletic training. He volunteered with Campus Ministry, the New York Marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon, the WWCGP Cycling Classic, National Athletic Trainers Association District 2 and the Student Leadership Committee and served as president of the Marian Hall Resident Student Council. His paid work experience includes clinical internships at five schools/organizations in the Hudson Valley and serving as a Marist tour guide and admission greeter as well as a Marist peer student tutor.Nominations for the award can be made by employees of Marist who are also graduates of the College. Alumni Leadership Award recipients over the past five years:2016 — Janie Pierson & Nicholas Bayer2017 — Irene Elias & Nicholas Marengo2018 — Brooke DiPalma & Alec Lee2019 — Lauren Vecchio & Matthew Marotti2020 — Jillian Kaczmarek & Spencer Hogan 

01 Jun 2021

Although the Class of 1970 and 1971 Reunion Committees opted to postpone their 50th reunions, Marist hosted a successful outdoor and COVID-safe Homecoming and Reunion on Oct. 23.

Although the Class of 1970 and 1971 Reunion Committees opted to postpone their 50th reunions, Marist hosted a successful outdoor and COVID-safe Homecoming and Reunion on Oct. 23. The day included Marist Singers and Band alumni performing with current student Singers and Band members, the Theatre Hall of Fame induction, the Morehead State vs. Marist football game, and four tents celebrating affinity groups on campus: the Student Government Association, the Study Abroad Program, the Marist Music Program, and the Fashion Department. The day ended with a reunion celebration for all classes under a large tent on the Marist Green.Photos by Al Nowak/On Location StudiosAlumni Join Marist Band and Singers at Homecoming 2021    Homecoming and Reunion Picnic 2021                       Marist vs. Morehead State Homecoming and Reunion 2021        Theatre Hall of Fame 2021         .carousel { color: #170724; --carousel-button-bg: #fff; --carousel-button-shadow: 0 2px 1px -1px rgb(0 0 0 / 20%), 0 1px 1px 0 rgb(0 0 0 / 14%), 0 1px 3px 0 rgb(0 0 0 / 12%); --carousel-button-svg-width: 20px; --carousel-button-svg-height: 20px; --carousel-button-svg-stroke-width: 2.5; } document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(event) { const myCarousel = new Carousel(document.querySelector("#moyo_.carousel"), {}); }); document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(event) { const myCarousel = new Carousel(document.querySelector("#dybk_.carousel"), {}); }); document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(event) { const myCarousel = new Carousel(document.querySelector("#vdas_.carousel"), {}); }); document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(event) { const myCarousel = new Carousel(document.querySelector("#iekw_.carousel"), {}); });

28 Oct 2021

Two professors who established pivotal programs at Marist almost 50 years ago now are giving back to Marist in another way. 

Two professors who established pivotal programs at Marist almost 50 years ago now are giving back to Marist in another way. Drs. Eugene and Eileen Best laid the foundations for key initiatives that impact Marist students today. A scholarship they recently established at Marist offered the opportunity to reflect on what they accomplished at the College.Eugene Best and Eileen Lambden, both Ohio natives, met in high school and married in 1971. That year brought another milestone. At a conference in Ohio the previous year, Gene had met Sr. Florence Michels, who chaired the Religious Studies Department at Marist. When Sr. Florence learned of Gene’s master’s in anthropology and doctorate in sacred theology, she invited him to join the College’s Religious Studies program, an interdisciplinary program.The couple’s first impression of Marist was not exactly positive. “The day Gene went to interview at Marist was in February,” Eileen remembered, “and it was one of the coldest days on record. The winds came in off that Hudson River and shivers went right through my bones. I said to myself, what are we getting ourselves into? It turned out that New York was warmer than Ohio.”Gene accepted the job offer, and he and Eileen moved to Poughkeepsie in 1971. At Marist, he wore two hats: associate professor and affirmative action officer. In the latter role, one of the things he is most proud of, he said, was adding more women to the faculty. He is also proud of the interdisciplinary courses he introduced. As associate professor and chairman of Religious Studies, Gene taught 30 different courses over his 20 years on the faculty.“The most important course and most frequent I taught was World Views and Values,” he says. “It was for me the most exciting course because it required students to challenge their own perceptions.” The course is still taught at Marist today.Eileen accepted a position at Marist teaching English. She had earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Notre Dame and, following post-graduate work at Case Western Reserve and Stanford, earned a PhD in English at the University of Colorado.In addition to teaching English, she supervised student teachers and established what is today the Office of Accommodations and Accessibility. Looking back, she says she was very impressed with the freedom the Marist administration gave her to make facilities more accessible to students with disabilities. “Adjustments had to be made to the physical plant,” she said. “Bathrooms had to be rearranged. They were not big enough for people to get into with wheelchairs. There was all sorts of restructuring that had to go on.” She added that the College was very happy to do it.After two years of juggling part-time positions, Eileen left Marist to join the administration at Dutchess Community College (DCC). There she established a program to assist students who had disabilities and developed credit-free courses and continuing-education programs.While engaged in their academic endeavors, the couple also served the community beyond Marist. Both Eileen and Gene were active in the Dutchess County Democratic party. Gene also served as board member and president of the Dutchess County Interfaith Council and produced a weekly radio program for the Council for 30 years.Eileen served on the board of directors of both the Dutchess County Mental Health Association and Family Services of Dutchess County.Gene and Eileen were always searching for ways to broaden horizons for their students. When Gene went to Asia on sabbatical for six months in 1988, Eileen accompanied him. They visited the Philippines, Thailand, India, Nepal, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. While abroad, they saw poverty and suffering firsthand, said Gene. “I was able to bring insight from those experiences back into the courses that I taught at Marist.”After 13 years at DCC, Eileen retired from higher education. She went on to become director of the Dutchess County Office of the Aging, where she administered programs and supervised 65 employees. Both Gene and Eileen retired in 1992.They spent the next 25 years seeing the world. “We traveled and we traveled and we traveled,” said Eileen. Destinations included Alaska, Nova Scotia, Italy, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Tierra del Fuego, the Falkland Islands, Argentina, the Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Greece, Turkey, Morocco, and the Caribbean.“We had wonderful, wonderful learning experiences,” she recalled. “Our America is only a small part of our interdependent global world.”In 2008, they moved back to Ohio to be near family. Their home in Hudson, OH, is filled with art and artifacts from their travels. But they’re not ones to sit still. They continue to teach and volunteer, and both enjoy gardening.They established the Dr. Eugene C. Best and Dr. Eileen Lambden Best Scholarship to assist full-time, first-year students who have demonstrated financial need. Their scholarship reflects their interests from their Marist days: preference is given to students majoring in a program offered through the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies or another discipline within the liberal arts. Preference may also be given to students participating in programs offered by the Office of Accommodations and Accessibility. Prior to establishing their scholarship, Gene and Eileen joined the Marist Legacy Society as founding members in appreciation for the invaluable role the College played in their professional and personal lives. 

30 Jul 2021

Phyllis Bassin established the Zachary Alexander Bassin Memorial Scholarship in honor of her beloved son, a Marist student who loved his family, his friends, and all things sports and who lived life on his terms despite severe medical challenges. 

Phyllis Bassin established the Zachary Alexander Bassin Memorial Scholarship in honor of her beloved son, a Marist student who loved his family, his friends, and all things sports and who lived life on his terms despite severe medical challenges. Zachary, who was born with cystic fibrosis, battled medical obstacles his entire life. He passed away in 2017 at age 21. The scholarship continues Zack’s legacy in a meaningful way by helping Marist students achieve their dreams and pursue their interests in the field of sports communication, which was his passion.From an early age Zack loved sports and was a natural athlete. When he grew too short of breath to play his favorite sports, he became an avid fan, memorizing stats for virtually every sport. Eventually he developed a love for golf, a sport he could play regardless of diminished lung function.“The friends he made at Marist freshman year saw him as Zack, not a kid toting an oxygen tank,” wrote Phyllis in her eulogy for her son. “That meant so much to him.”Dan Ketterer met Zack in middle school, and the two attended high school and Marist together. “He was an extremely loyal and caring friend,” said Dan, a 2017 alumnus. “He was always there to talk and listen to people when they had problems, despite how insignificant they were, compared to what he was facing.”Zack had a very forward-looking perspective about his future career and personal goals, Dan said. “He never complained about the cards he was dealt and attacked each challenge with confidence that he would come out on top, and he always did.”“I know I will be battling my health constantly for the rest of my life,” Zack wrote in his blog. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t find joy in the things I do.”Zack was determined to pursue a career in sports communication. At Marist, he fulfilled his dream of an internship in sports communication at Madison Square Garden. There he received accolades from colleagues and MSG management alike.His positive attitude and his courage inspired many who met him. In 2017 Zack was featured in a series called “For the Record” in the Marist Circle, the student news outlet, which highlighted students with compelling stories.Zack received a double-lung transplant in 2015, later developing post-transplant lymphoma. He passed away following chronic rejection of the transplant. More than 100 of his classmates from Marist and North Salem High School attended funeral services for him. In her eulogy, Phyllis asked Zack’s many friends to keep his memory alive by sharing their stories. She cherishes the Facebook posts from his friends and emails from MSG staff that showed her the enormous impact he had on others’ lives.  “The last thing I can do for him as his mother is to pay tribute to his courageous fight to live and ask you to be inspired by his ability to battle every adversity that came his way. Despite his short lifetime, Zachary made his mark and touched the life of so many people with his story.”Phyllis Bassin (center) met Connor Kurpat ’22 (left), the inaugural recipient of the Zachary Alexander Bassin Memorial Scholarship, in August 2021 at Marist’s James J. McCann Recreation Center, joined by Director of Athletics Tim Murray. Kurpat, from Lakewood, NJ, is majoring in sports communication. He is involved in Campus Ministry, is on the Dean’s List, and is an intern to Director of Sports Communication Jane McManus, a reporter for student-run sports publication Marist Centerfield, and a producer for Marist College Television. Friends of Zack Bassin Raise Funds and Awareness with Golf Outing“Zack always loved golf, and even when he had to carry supplemental oxygen, he'd still go out and play as much as he could,” said longtime friend and fellow Red Fox Dan Ketterer ’17. “He was great at it too — better than me and most of our friends — and we didn't have to swing with a big oxygen tank on our backs!” “Emily's Entourage was the perfect organization to work with because their research is entirely focused on Zack's mutation of cystic fibrosis, which is often overlooked by many of the broader CF organizations,” Dan added. “I know Zack would be proud to see so many friends coming together in his memory, and to know that he's directly making an impact on people who are in his shoes.”A group of Zack’s friends has donated almost $30,000 to Emily's Entourage thus far. The tournament raised $9,300 this year and $10,000 each of the prior two years.Shown left to right, kneeling, are Stephen Blyth ’17, Marc Howes ’17, Omar Mendez ’20, Torin Reilly ’17, and Devin Buonano ’18; Back, left to right are Drew DeCarolis ’19, Michael Traina ’19, Jack Ryan ’19, and Class of ’17’s Nick Veglia, Dan Ketterer, Adam Guest, Tana Roslan, Matt Edwards, Nicole Bateman, and Ryan Smith.Zachary Bassin’s music can be found by searching on SoundCloud for artist Zack Bassin. 

29 Aug 2021