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

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

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

1970s band reunites

The rock band Sutton Ho, which formed at Marist in the early 1970s, got back together this past year — but only for dinner. They reunited in June at Keens Steakhouse in New York City.Sutton Ho was comprised of five Marist students: John Kaefer ’73 (drums), George Dawson ’71 (keyboards), Tom Meehan ’74 (bass), Kevin Dwyer ’72 (guitar), and Bob Coffin ’73 (vocals).After winning a band contest on campus, they played in clubs regionally in 1971 and 1972. They landed a much sought-after gig as the house band at the Mad Hatter in the Hamptons during summer 1972 before circumstances caused the band to fold in the fall of ’72.

24 Feb 2023

The event Oct. 28–30 featured reunion celebrations for the 25-, 30-, and 40-year classes, plus three 50th reunion classes — the Classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972.

Picture the perfect autumn day, a tailgate with food trucks offering fare ranging from tacos, empanadas, and fresh apple-cider doughnuts to lobster bisque, chicken, steak, and Liège waffles served out the window of a polished, vintage Airstream, capped off by a football game where the Red Foxes triumphed, and you have Marist Homecoming and Reunion Weekend 2022. The event Oct. 28–30, organized by the Alumni Office, featured reunion celebrations for the 25-, 30-, and 40-year classes, plus three 50th reunion classes — the Classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972 — due to the “pause” that COVID-19 put on celebrations the past two years. All alumni, even those not marking a reunion, were invited to attend.The weekend kicked off with a welcome luncheon for the 50-year classes on Oct. 28. The annual Alumni Awards presentation that evening honored Patrick D. Massaroni ’10, Patrice Connolly Pantello ’76, and Paul J. Browne ’71. For more about the awardees, visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyIx3idSkxJloJBfTtv5-IMBhCwqFCGu2Honored at the 13th annual Theatre Hall of Fame Induction were, left to right, (standing) Mark Giuffre ’85, Vinnie Begley ’70, (sitting) Justin R. Santore McManus ’10, Irene Elias ’17, and Victoria Kirichok-Pratt ’93.Activities Oct. 29 included receptions for student–athlete alumni, a cappella singers, other members of the Music Program, Center for Multicultural Affairs alumni, Marist Abroad alumni, Student Government Association alumni, and LGBTQ+ alumni. Marist’s theatre tradition was saluted at the 13th annual Theatre Hall of Fame induction. Honored for their outstanding contributions to theatre at the College were: Vinnie Begley ’70. Mark Giuffre ’85, Victoria Kirichok-Pratt ’93, Justin R. Santore McManus ’10, and Irene Elias ’17.That night, the Heritage Classes (1947–1966) and 50-year classes gathered for a reception and dinner in the Murray Student Center on campus. Meanwhile, the Class of 1982 took over Marist’s historic Cornell Boathouse and the Class of 1992 and the Class of 1997 each celebrated in downtown Poughkeepsie at the Academy and Refinery 51 respectively.On Oct. 30, Swimming and Diving alumni and their families and friends joined teammates, coaches and friends for breakfast and a round of golf at the 13th annual Swimming and Diving Alumni Golf Outing.Earlier in 2022, the Alumni Office held its first June Reunion Weekend. The 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year reunion classes were invited to campus June 11–12 to celebrate their milestone reunions. Activities included children’s games, Hudson River cruises, a Marist Poll presentation, campus tours, alumni kickball games, a Marist Fund donor reception, and a River Fest on the riverfront.  

24 Feb 2023

History is made as alumni from across the country return to campus for one special weekend.

Three classes gathered on campus in October to mark their half-century reunions. Alumni from locations across the country, including California, Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia as well as the Northeast, made their way to Poughkeepsie to reconnect with classmates, faculty, and members of the greater Marist community. Fifty volunteers served from one to three years on their respective reunion planning committees, reaching out to friends old and new. “Zoom” became a welcomed resource. The weekend featured receptions, campus tours, a football game, a tailgate, and a gala dinner. The Classes of 1970 and 1971 met their inaugural scholarship recipients, and the Class of 1972 launched its scholarship drive. Alumni who could not travel to the Hudson Valley were remembered through the many stories shared. A memorial service celebrated the lives and friendships of classmates. Deans provided updates on academic programs and new initiatives, underscoring the College’s commitment to providing an excellent liberal arts education. The campus offered spectacular views from all points—with smiles all arounhe Class of 1971 at their 50-year reunionMembers of the Class of 1971 celebrated 50 years since graduation.Members of the Class of 1972 reconnected at their 50-year reunion. 

30 Mar 2023

Danisha Craig ’18 made her mark in the Marist record books as a member of the track team. Now she is part of the team at the US Department of Energy, achieving her goal of a career in public service.

Danisha Craig '18 is a Senate legislative affairs advisor within the Department of Energy in Washington, DC.

08 Dec 2022

As of Jan. 1, 2022, through Jan. 20, 2023

AlumniDr. Martin A. Lang ’51Thomas F. O’Connor ’53Thomas G. Murphy ’55Joseph A. McKiernan ’56Joseph J. McGrath ’57Bro. Joseph Maura, FMS ’58Bro. Ernest G. Beland ’62Anthony V. Campilii ’62/’79MBAMaurice H. Lachance Jr. ’63Michael B. Feddeck ’66Michael J. Ward III ’66John J. Winkelman ’66Eugene J. Connors ’67John Hollingsworth ’68Capt. Paul X. Rinn ’68, USN Ret.Bro. Joseph P. Scanlon, FMS ’68Barry J. Fraser ’69Myron Korykora ’69Gary J. Lindstrom ’69Peter G. Bavis ’70Joseph T. Negler ’70Arthur J. Smith ’70William J. Spampinato ’70Dr. B. James Vaughan ’70Richard A. Belz ’71James A. Eaton ’71Robert Pavlovic ’71Patricia Rittenhouse ’71Cheryl C. Bradley ’72Dr. Brian J. Minasian ’72/’86MARichard J. Cairns ’73Laurie Clare ’73Frank J. Lovallo Jr. ’73John P. Zappe ’73Arthur G. Eichler ’74Ernest A. Arico Jr. ’76Clifford B. Schoonmaker Jr. ’76Hector L. Tejeda ’77Charles A. Schreck ’79James F. Kemmis ’80James A. Pagliaro ’80Barbara J. Schelin ’80Gary T. Steltz ’80James M. Doherty ’81Patricia Nishball ’81MBAThomas P. Riozzi ’81MBAJames V. Yardley ’81Sally J. Petro ’82Ruth E. Warren ’82Hiram Driscoll ’84MBAJeanmarie Arnold ’85Louis F. Cava ’85Kevin J. Breen ’87Karen Ely ’88Edward J. Gaus, MD ’88Daniel V. Greco ’89Robert A. Kenny ’89Lawrence P. Lay ’89Joseph J. Filardi Jr. ’91Matthew V. Phung ’91Bruce W. Thomason ’91Daniel H. Massey ’92Julie E. Pazera ’92Ronald L. Vece ’92Maureen E. Dobbs ’95Jeffrey P. Sullivan ’99/’02MBASarah J. McChesney ’00Carol L. Leasure ’02Douglas Knapp ’03Thomas D. Tavino ’03Brandon J. Ellerbee ’05Carl M. Hessick ’05MBAKristine N. Morgan ’09MALucas A. Benson ’10Jason M. Giani ’10Vincent J. Bocchino ’15Christopher M. Naughton ’16FriendsWilliam BarbashDr. Eileen BestPhilip K. Boyle Sr.Rev. Msgr. John BrinnPaul E. BurkeClaire CarlsonBarbara CarpenterLeo DenaultGeorge M. DowningMichael EffronElaine GreenspanDr. Joan E. HoopesJohn E. Mack IIIMichael MaletJ. Joseph McGowanSusan G. McHughVictoria PlataniaHerbert RedlSueAnn RedlMary RitzLillian SakkasMichael J. Tomkovitch, Esq.Timothy J. WillisEileen ZyskStaffDr. Pamela J. HarperTrusteesEllen M. HancockBro. Sean D. Sammon, FMS ’70 

20 Jan 2023

Alumni work together on Olympics broadcasts.

Four Marist alumni worked on the 2022 Olympics for NBC in the network’s Stamford, CT, facility: Todd Bivona ’07, CJ Bottitta ’93, John Gilmartin ’75, and Kaare Numme ’00.

09 Dec 2022

Marist grads return to campus to assist students in career pursuits

Alumni returned to Marist to meet one on one with students at the VIP Networking Event in fall 2022 presented by the Center for Career Services. The graduates gave students tips on finding internships and full-time jobs and succeeding in their career fields.

09 Dec 2022

Helen Stahlin-Corveleyn ’00 was among 117 teachers, mentors, and mentoring organizations named as recipients of the national Presidential Awards for Excellence.

Helen Stahlin-Corveleyn ’00 was among 117 teachers, mentors, and mentoring organizations named by President Joe Biden as recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) and Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). The awards honor the important role that America’s teachers and mentors play in supporting learners who will be future STEM professionals, including climate scientists, mathematicians, innovators, space explorers, and engineers, according to a February 2022 announcement.Helen, who won in the Science category, teaches at Hopewell Elementary School in Hopewell, NJ. Her husband is Graig Corveleyn ’01.Established in 1983, PAEMST is the highest award that kindergarten through 12th grade mathematics and science (including computer science) teachers can receive from the U.S. government. Nominees complete a rigorous application process that allows them to demonstrate deep content knowledge and their ability to adapt to a broad range of learners and teaching environments. A panel of mathematicians, scientists, and educators at the state and national levels assesses the applications before recommending nominees to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Teachers are selected based on their distinction in the classroom and dedication to improving STEM education.The National Science Foundation, which manages PAEMST and PAESMEM on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, provides each recipient $10,000. Award recipients also receive a certificate signed by the president.  

24 Feb 2023

You might recognize the name Greg Bibb ’ 96 from when he called Marist basketball games — now he calls many of the shots as President, CEO, and Managing Partner of the WNBA Dallas Wings.

Greg Bibb ’96 always knew he wanted to be involved in sports. His love of athletics would take him from calling basketball games for Marist’s TV station all the way to serving as President, CEO, and Managing Partner of the WNBA’s Dallas Wings.“I had that sports aim and I felt that a communications degree with a concentration in radio, television, and film was the track to get there,” said Bibb, who, as an undergraduate, was the sports director for Marist’s TV station and covered sports for Marist’s newspaper, The Circle.Knowing the Marist internship program had contacts with the major sports networks, Bibb hoped he would earn a coveted internship if he worked hard enough. “I had that opportunity my junior year and had a chance to work on Monday Night Football and College Football Saturday,” he said. “It taught me so much about keeping up with a fast pace, working hard, and gave me that much more of a feel for the sports world.” He would one day be connected to an ABC Sports broadcast in a way he could never have imagined.“After Marist, I was able to take my sports background into a public relations opportunity with a soccer team and that actually forged a whole other path to grow in the industry,” he said. Eventually getting a chance to switch to the operational side, his roles have included executive VP of business operations of the NBA’s Washington Wizards and chief operating officer of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. The latter he began in 2007 and then was in both roles starting in 2010. “I had the opportunity to try many things and learn from smart people,” he said.After later founding a sports-focused investment fund in 2013, he left basketball for a couple of years. A partner in the business, Bill Cameron, had an idea: come back and help him with his own WNBA team. “Getting back to being involved with the WNBA was a thrill,” Bibb said. “Bill was looking to move the Tulsa Shock to Dallas, the team today known as the Dallas Wings, and he asked if I would join the ownership group and lead the business.”“With the Wings, I’m in charge of all aspects of the organization. For example, growing our broadcast offerings… At one time, the team had a half dozen games on TV.” Referring to the 2022 season, he went on, “This past` year we played 36 games—and all 36 were broadcast. The telecast reaches all of Texas and Oklahoma, three-quarters of Arkansas, and half of Louisiana. That’s 11 million households that can see a Wings broadcast.”But one for ABC Sports, a playoff game against the Connecticut Sun on Aug. 21, was particularly momentous. “If you would have told me five years ago that we would be playing a playoff game on ABC before almost 800,000 viewers, I wouldn’t have believed you,” he said.But it’s more than the numbers for Bibb; it’s the hope. “I got involved with the WNBA to begin with partly because my wife, Tara, and I welcomed a baby girl,” he said. “This year is the 50th anniversary of Title IX and it’s important to create more opportunities for girls and women. My daughter has grown up around the WNBA and sees she can do anything she wants if she is willing to work for it. And it’s been just as important for our son … More opportunities need to exist for female athletes to be able to make a living professionally, and the success of the WNBA has a chance to help in that area.”Bibb, ever the competitor, doesn’t just have basketball nets on his mind, but lacrosse ones, too. He is also President, CEO, and Managing Partner of the professional lacrosse team Panther City Lacrosse Club, in Fort Worth, Texas. The team concluded its first season in the National Lacrosse League with high hopes in what he says is the fastest-growing city in the country, not to mention the 13th largest. “It combines the game of hockey that I played growing up and the game of basketball I’ve spent so much of my career in,” he said. “The participation rate in the sport keeps growing, there are cross-promotional opportunities with the Wings, and there’s the excitement of 20 to 30 goals a game on average. It’s another role for me that’s a great deal of fun…And, hey, isn’t fun what sports are all about?”

30 Jan 2023

Looking back on two decades of serving students, heritage tourists, scholars, educators, environmental organizations, the business community, and the general public who seek to know more about a region that has been called "the Landscape that defined America."

The Hudson River Valley Institute, a Center of Excellence at Marist dedicated to studying the history and culture of the Hudson River Valley, celebrated its 20th anniversary throughout 2022 with a variety of programs and initiatives involving the Marist community and beyond.To mark the occasion, the staff at the institute wrote an article that appears in the spring 2022 issue of HRVI’s peer-reviewed journal of regional studies, The Hudson River Valley Review. The article highlights many of the organizations (including the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area), people, and programs of prominence during the first 20 years and features the evolution of HRVI’s website www.hudsonrivervalley.org, a digital resource that houses materials for researchers, educators, heritage tourists, and the general public. Further, the article recognizes the essential role of the nearly 200 Marist students who have completed internships since 2002.In celebration of the ever-growing group of Marist alumni who have completed an internship, HRVI has been featuring former students in a yearlong social media initiative on Instagram and Facebook. These updates have been seen by more than 20,000 people and show the variety of career paths that can come from the institute’s interdisciplinary internship experiences. In the interview-style spotlights, alumni reflect on the importance of their time at HRVI to their education and work, with careers such as teaching, library sciences, public history, and law all featuring prominently among the individuals recognized. Many intern alumni cite their experience as being a transformative time in their development from undergraduate students to job candidates and professionals, and their work with the HRVI staff as their first experience putting classroom education to use in a professional setting.In addition to a year of celebration, 2022 has also been a year of transition for HRVI. In conjunction with the retirement of Col. (Ret.) James M. Johnson, the institute’s founding executive director and Dr. Frank T. Bumpus Chair in Hudson River Valley History, HRVI launched an ongoing fundraiser to establish the endowed Dr. James M. and Lois S. Johnson Student Research Fund. The fund is designed to enable interns to undertake more impactful experiences and develop more in-depth projects as well as to allow students from a variety of economic backgrounds equal access to the enrichment potential that comes from a fully realized internship with HRVI.“From our beginning, interns have been the lifeblood of HRVI,” said Johnson. “Their work becomes part of HRVI’s publicly available content and provides them with valuable experience that prepares them for graduate school and for their careers. Lois and I have each spent many years as educators and as supporters of Hudson River Valley history, and we are deeply honored to have an initiative that combines both of those passions and bears our names.” To learn more about the Johnson Student Research Fund, visit www.hudsonrivervalley.org/johnsonstudentfund.On Aug. 20, 2022, at Marist’s historic Colonel Oliver Hazard Payne Mansion, HRVI staff, supporters, friends, and intern alumni gathered to formally mark the 20th anniversary of the institute and honor Johnson on his retirement. The program included remarks from HRVI Director Dr. Thomas Wermuth ’84 and Advisory Board Chair Alex Reese among others.  Dr. Johnson received a Certificate of Appreciation from New York State Historian Devin Lander recognizing his many contributions to the study of the history of New York, with specific emphasis on his work studying the American Revolution. The guests included approximately 30 former interns dating from the very first group in 2002 through members of the recently graduated Class of 2022, many of whom met for the first time at the event.HRVI’s year of transition continued at the 11th annual Handel-Krom Lecture in Hudson River Valley History on Sept. 29, which was offered as the institute’s first program combining both in-person and virtual attendees after several years of successful programming that was offered online only. The lecture featured author Philip Dray discussing his recently published book, A Lynching at Port Jervis: Race and Reckoning in the Gilded Age. During the event, Wermuth announced HRVI’s Operations Director Andrew Villani ’08/’13MPA as the institute’s new executive director.A former student of Johnson’s and former intern at HRVI, Villani has been a member of the institute’s team since 2008, serving in several different roles.“Our 20th anniversary has been a great opportunity to look back at the early days and celebrate the contributions of our founders, early supporters, and many student interns who helped to get HRVI off the ground,” said Villani. “It has also given us a chance to look to the future and identify new opportunities to build on that growth and success in a meaningful way. I am thrilled and honored to guide the Hudson River Valley Institute into its next 20 years.”Planning is already underway for 2023. “We are already looking at the next round of articles for publication, projects for our internships, and speakers for our two major lectures,” said Villani. “Stay tuned for an exciting array of programs coming up in the near future!”Left to right are Alex Reese, chair of the HRVI Advisory Board; Dr. Thomas Wermuth ’84, HRVI director; Andy Villani, executive director; Col. (Ret.) James M. Johnson, Dr. Frank T. Bumpus Chair in Hudson River Valley History; Christopher Pryslopski, HRVI senior program director; Jason Schaaf, HRVI education coordinator; and Devin Lander, New York State Historian. Photo: Al Nowak/On Location Studios.Guests included approximately 30 former interns. In total, nearly 200 Marist students completed internships with HRVI since the establishment of the institute in 2002. Photo: Al Nowak/On Location Studios

28 Oct 2022

A reimagined home for the School of Management, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Center for Career Services takes shape.

Marist College has officially broken ground on a major expansion and renovation of the Dyson Center, the home of the College’s Schools of Management and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Members of the academic administration, student body, and other dignitaries, led by Marist Trustee and Dyson Foundation Chair Rob Dyson, put shovels in the ground in July for the $60 million project, paving the way for a facility that will serve as a campus centerpiece and will double the size of the former building. The construction project is supported by a lead gift from the Dyson Foundation. Founded in 1957 and based in Dutchess County, the Dyson Foundation works to improve people’s lives through grant funding, promoting philanthropy, and strengthening the capacity of nonprofit organizations. The new Dyson Center, rendering courtesy of Ann Beha Architects, now Annum Architects."I have been in the unique position to watch the incredible growth of Marist over four decades," said Dyson, a past chair of Marist’s Board of Trustees. “It heartens me that the new Dyson Center will be a centerpiece of learning and collaboration for many years to come."The original Dyson Center opened in 1990. The expansion and renovation have been designed by the internationally recognized firm Annum Architects (formerly Ann Beha Architects). The new facility will feature state-of-the-art classrooms; faculty offices; a 150-seat tiered lecture hall; and labs for student–faculty research, especially in the areas of cognitive, developmental, and social psychology.The building will also boast a number of multipurpose collaboration spaces for student and faculty use and will incorporate many sustainable elements, reflecting the College’s long-standing commitment to the environment. There will also be expansive new common areas, including an atrium with a soaring ceiling, a café, a lounge, and abundant social and collaborative space.The Collaborative Study Center in the new Dyson Center. Rendering courtesy of Ann Beha Architects, now Annum Architects.The new Dyson Center will bring a wealth of new resources to the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the School of Management. Within the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, teacher education students will have a new STEM classroom with an adjoining creative space. Psychology, criminal justice, and pre-law students will also be able to use unique learning spaces.The School of Management will include an expanded Student Investment Center with a professional trading floor providing the same technology found on Wall Street. It will also house the school’s Advising Center and the Bureau of Economic Research."The new Dyson Center will be an inspiring place for teaching, learning, research, and collaboration," said Marist President Kevin Weinman. "With its beautiful design, central location, and ample public space for socializing, group study, and individual work and reflection, students of all disciplines will benefit from this truly transformative facility. My sincerest thanks to Rob Dyson and everyone at the Dyson Foundation, Ann Beha, Marist’s Board of Trustees, and President Emeritus Dennis Murray for their work over many years to bring this vision to life.""The new Dyson Center will have specialized spaces for psychology labs, a mock courtroom, a command center, a therapy suite, a K–12 teacher training lab, maker space, and general classrooms configured to maximize current best practices for college instruction," said Dr. Deborah Gatins, dean of Marist’s School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. "I look forward to even more exciting faculty and student collaboration on projects and research.""For School of Management students, this building will create new opportunities to learn in an attractive environment," said Dr. Will Lamb, dean of Marist’s School of Management. "The classrooms are designed to allow our faculty and staff to adapt the layouts to the subject being taught. The new homes for our Investment Center and the Center for Career Services will help students prepare for and launch their careers in exciting new ways. The building will elevate the student experience and help us continue to attract the best and the brightest."The mock courtroom in the new Dyson Center. Rendering courtesy of Ann Beha Architects, now Annum Architects.The Center for Career Services, which offers a variety of programs and resources to assist Marist students and alumni in setting career goals and gaining employment, will also be housed in the Dyson Center."The Center for Career Services is incredibly excited about the new Dyson Center, along with its centralized location giving us a beautiful venue for hosting career and internship fairs, networking events, peer mentoring sessions, alumni/employer panel discussions, and more," said Mary Jones, executive director for the Center for Career Services. "We look forward to continuing to help Marist students achieve their career goals in this reimagined campus centerpiece."The new Dyson Center includes a number of environmentally sustainable initiatives including the adaptive reuse of the existing foundation and structure, highly insulated walls, a high-efficiency HVAC system, and a roof featuring living vegetation installed on top.The building is expected to open in spring 2024. For more photos of the groundbreaking and renderings of the design, visit marist.edu/dyson.A wide array of naming opportunities are available throughout the building. To learn more, please contact Chris DelGiorno, vice president for college advancement, chris.delgiorno@marist.edu

27 Oct 2022

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