Two Transformational Gifts Expand Student Opportunity
Marist University is celebrating two multimillion-dollar gifts that reflect growing confidence in the University’s future and a shared commitment to expanding opportunity, academic excellence, and student success.
One gift strengthens Marist’s ability to act with agility and vision through unrestricted support; the other expands a signature scholarship and leadership program rooted in history and civic engagement.
Together, these gifts underscore the power of philanthropy to shape lives and help Marist deliver on the bold goals of its Marist 100 strategic plan.
McCormick Family Foundation Gift Expands Long Reach Society
Through a generous multimillion-dollar pledge, alumni Genine and Michael McCormick ’88/’88/P’16 have expanded the Long Reach Society and Scholarship program, an academic and leadership initiative for students pursuing majors or minors in History and American Studies.
Students selected to the Long Reach Society receive more than scholarship support—they gain access to immersive civic engagement opportunities, research experiences, mentorship, and a tight-knit academic community.
The program includes partnerships with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the FDR Presidential Library, and Marist’s own Centers for Civic Engagement and Public Opinion.
“Their gift does so much to advance several of the ambitious priorities outlined in Marist 100,” said President Weinman. “The Long Reach Society attracts talented students, surrounds them with support and challenge, and offers transformational learning experiences that prepare them for a lifetime of leadership.”
The McCormicks’ investment will expand the program to serve more students, with a vision to ultimately include 40 scholars. The family has a long history of philanthropic leadership at Marist, from establishing the McCormick Family Foundation to supporting the Marist Fund and naming McCormick Hall.
“We hope this gift inspires Marist students across all academic disciplines to explore history and engage with the world around them,” said Genine. “Studying and understanding history is important across all industries and essential to becoming responsible global citizens.”
Unrestricted Support Strengthens University Priorities
A generous multimillion-dollar gift from an anonymous alumna—one of the largest unrestricted donations in Marist’s history— will provide the University with critical flexibility to address emerging priorities and invest in high-impact areas.
These include scholarships, academic innovation, faculty support, and enhancements to campus resources that directly benefit students.
“This gift is an investment in Marist’s future and in the students who will go on to make a difference in the world,” said President Kevin Weinman. “These funds give us the agility to act in real time to enhance academic offerings, support students and faculty, and seize new opportunities that advance our mission.”
The donor’s generosity builds on a wave of recent momentum at Marist, including a record-breaking Day of Giving and other leadership commitments. The gift also accelerates the goals of Marist 100, the University’s strategic plan to elevate the student experience and expand Marist’s reach and reputation.
Honoring Marist’s strong foundation and embracing the possibilities ahead
On January 29, 2025, Marist officially became a university—a milestone that reflects decades of academic growth, global reach, and an unwavering commitment to student success. The transition signals more than a name change; it’s a moment of evolution that honors Marist’s strong foundation while embracing the possibilities ahead.
That same day, Marist unveiled a bold new university logo and launched a global storytelling campaign celebrating the impact of a Marist education.
From Florence to Poughkeepsie, the entire Marist community was invited to imagine more, become more, and share their stories along the way. This pivotal shift positions Marist to amplify its voice, deepen its mission, and bring its distinctive blend of serious learning and spirited community to an even wider stage.
“We’re thrilled to use this pivotal moment to look boldly ahead, introducing Marist University to new audiences and achieving national and international recognition, while honoring the values that have defined the institution from the very beginning," said President Kevin Weinman.
Visit marist.edu/news for all the latest University news as Red Foxes everywhere continue to celebrate the past and look to our next chapter as Marist University!
A frequent visitor to the 9/11 Memorial, Jack Oehm ’80 finds purpose in the enduring strength of the human spirit.
“It’s a reminder of how fragile life is and how important it is to make every moment count," said Jack.
A retired firefighter who witnessed the towers crumble in 2001, Jack dedicated himself to protecting the lives of first responders and supporting the families of fallen heroes. Service rooted in Marist values Jack’s Marist story began as a student-athlete with a passion for track and field, where he discovered the power of community and teamwork.
“The friendships I made, the lessons I learned, and the support of my teammates taught me the importance of lifting others up,” he said. “Marist wasn’t just about academics; it was about preparing us to lead lives of purpose.”
Drawn to the fire department after graduating with his degree in accounting, Jack saw firefighting as a way to live out the compassion and resilience instilled in him at Marist. Whether responding to emergencies or supporting families during crises, he embodies Marist’s mission to serve others.
A legacy of giving back
Jack has been a steadfast supporter of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which honors the legacy of first responders lost on September 11. Through organizing events and fundraising, Jack helps provide mortgage-free smart homes to the families of fallen heroes.
Founded in memory of firefighter Stephen Siller, who lost his life on September 11, 2001, the organization also preserves the legacy of 9/11 heroes through events like the annual Tunnel to Towers Run & Walk and extends disaster relief to communities in need. Its mission is to ensure that the bravery and sacrifices of these individuals are never forgotten.
“Tunnel to Towers reminds us that even in the face of unimaginable tragedy, we have the power to come together and support one another," he said.
Inspiring the next generation
A dedicated public speaker, Jack frequently speaks to students and various groups, encouraging them to make a difference in their own ways and in their own communities. “You don’t have to be a firefighter or join a big organization to make a difference. Small acts of kindness can ripple into big changes.”
Jack’s frequent visits to the 9/11 Memorial are a deeply personal way to honor the lives lost and share the lessons of courage and unity. “Being there is humbling,” he said. “It’s a reminder to live with purpose and to make every moment count.”
A powerful example of the Marist spirit in action, Jack’s story proves that being “Inspired to Do More” is more than a tagline—for him, it’s a way of life.
At Marist, the power of “and,” not “or,” defines the student experience. It’s where students pursue excellence on the field and in the classroom.
Where they dive into research and hands-on learning. Where they can be inspired by both the Hudson River and the Arno River—through programs in New York City, Florence, and more than 70 global study opportunities.
That expansive, integrated approach to education is at the heart of a new University-wide marketing and storytelling campaign, designed to spotlight the many ways a Marist education empowers students to do more— and be more.
“The goal of this new campaign is to better elevate the Marist story and help spread our name far and wide as we raise the stature and prestige of a Marist education,” said Daryl Richard, Vice President of Communications and Marketing. “And there’s no better way to do that than through a human-centered storytelling approach that brings to life each individual’s own unique Marist story.”
The campaign is deeply personal and collaborative. Nearly 60 students, faculty, and staff participated in the filming and production of a new 60-second commercial that is part of the Inspired to Do More campaign. Behind the scenes, 10 students enrolled in a semester-long course in spring 2024, working alongside the Office of Communications and Marketing to shape the messaging and creative direction of the campaign.
Their efforts led to the campaign’s central message: Inspired to Do More.
The phrase emerged organically through months of research and conversation. In surveys and interviews, “inspiration” was the word students and alumni used most often when describing their Marist experience, citing both the natural beauty of campus and the community that shaped them. The word “more” is a direct reflection of the University’s ethos: that students don’t have to choose one path or passion—they’re encouraged to pursue it all.
The way this campaign was created is a great example of how experiential learning exists in all forms of teaching and working here at Marist, Richard said. “Our Red Foxes have such impressive stories to tell, and I’m confident that as others hear and watch them, they’ll be inspired to learn more about Marist.”
Visit marist.edu/inspired to watch videos and learn about the unique Marist stories that make up the Red Fox community.
Adriana Castillo ’18 is making history.
The former Marist rugby standout was recently named to the inaugural roster of the Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) New York Exiles—part of what will be the first professional women’s rugby league in the United States.
It’s a groundbreaking moment for the sport, and Castillo is right at the center of it. Her path to this achievement started at Marist, where she played from 2014 to 2018. A former volleyball and cheerleading athlete, Castillo found rugby late but took to it immediately, drawn to the intensity, physicality, and camaraderie.
“Marist gave me a place to discover who I was as an athlete and as a teammate,” she said.
Rugby at Marist is a club sport—a format that is incredibly popular on campus. These organizations play a vital role in campus life, fostering community, leadership, and personal growth outside the classroom. The club structure allowed Castillo to compete at a high level while balancing academics, making it an integral part of her college experience.
After graduation, Castillo joined the Village Lions Rugby Football Club (2019–2020), then elevated to the Women’s Premier League with New York Rugby Club in 2021. She played four seasons at the elite level, earning WPL All-Star honors in 2023 and developing into a dynamic forward who can cover the blindside flanker, openside flanker, and eight-man positions.
In addition to her stateside success, Castillo was recently named to the Dominican Republic women’s national team for the second time—a powerful point of pride as she represents both her heritage and her sport on an international stage.
Now, as a member of the WER New York Exiles—a new team formed from the merger of the New York Rugby Club and Gotham Knights—Castillo is one of the foundational players shaping this next era of women’s rugby in the U.S. In a feature by The Rugby Breakdown, she was praised for her leadership, experience, and relentless drive.
“I’m proud to be part of something bigger than myself. This league is opening doors for future generations. I’m just honored to help kick it off," she said.
