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.
The rock band Sutton Ho, which formed at Marist in the early 1970s, got back together this past year — but only for dinner. They reunited in June at Keens Steakhouse in New York City.Sutton Ho was comprised of five Marist students: John Kaefer ’73 (drums), George Dawson ’71 (keyboards), Tom Meehan ’74 (bass), Kevin Dwyer ’72 (guitar), and Bob Coffin ’73 (vocals).After winning a band contest on campus, they played in clubs regionally in 1971 and 1972. They landed a much sought-after gig as the house band at the Mad Hatter in the Hamptons during summer 1972 before circumstances caused the band to fold in the fall of ’72.
The event Oct. 28–30 featured reunion celebrations for the 25-, 30-, and 40-year classes, plus three 50th reunion classes — the Classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972.
Picture the perfect autumn day, a tailgate with food trucks offering fare ranging from tacos, empanadas, and fresh apple-cider doughnuts to lobster bisque, chicken, steak, and Liège waffles served out the window of a polished, vintage Airstream, capped off by a football game where the Red Foxes triumphed, and you have Marist Homecoming and Reunion Weekend 2022. The event Oct. 28–30, organized by the Alumni Office, featured reunion celebrations for the 25-, 30-, and 40-year classes, plus three 50th reunion classes — the Classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972 — due to the “pause” that COVID-19 put on celebrations the past two years. All alumni, even those not marking a reunion, were invited to attend.The weekend kicked off with a welcome luncheon for the 50-year classes on Oct. 28. The annual Alumni Awards presentation that evening honored Patrick D. Massaroni ’10, Patrice Connolly Pantello ’76, and Paul J. Browne ’71. For more about the awardees, visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyIx3idSkxJloJBfTtv5-IMBhCwqFCGu2Honored at the 13th annual Theatre Hall of Fame Induction were, left to right, (standing) Mark Giuffre ’85, Vinnie Begley ’70, (sitting) Justin R. Santore McManus ’10, Irene Elias ’17, and Victoria Kirichok-Pratt ’93.Activities Oct. 29 included receptions for student–athlete alumni, a cappella singers, other members of the Music Program, Center for Multicultural Affairs alumni, Marist Abroad alumni, Student Government Association alumni, and LGBTQ+ alumni. Marist’s theatre tradition was saluted at the 13th annual Theatre Hall of Fame induction. Honored for their outstanding contributions to theatre at the College were: Vinnie Begley ’70. Mark Giuffre ’85, Victoria Kirichok-Pratt ’93, Justin R. Santore McManus ’10, and Irene Elias ’17.That night, the Heritage Classes (1947–1966) and 50-year classes gathered for a reception and dinner in the Murray Student Center on campus. Meanwhile, the Class of 1982 took over Marist’s historic Cornell Boathouse and the Class of 1992 and the Class of 1997 each celebrated in downtown Poughkeepsie at the Academy and Refinery 51 respectively.On Oct. 30, Swimming and Diving alumni and their families and friends joined teammates, coaches and friends for breakfast and a round of golf at the 13th annual Swimming and Diving Alumni Golf Outing.Earlier in 2022, the Alumni Office held its first June Reunion Weekend. The 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year reunion classes were invited to campus June 11–12 to celebrate their milestone reunions. Activities included children’s games, Hudson River cruises, a Marist Poll presentation, campus tours, alumni kickball games, a Marist Fund donor reception, and a River Fest on the riverfront.
History is made as alumni from across the country return to campus for one special weekend.
Three classes gathered on campus in October to mark their half-century reunions. Alumni from locations across the country, including California, Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia as well as the Northeast, made their way to Poughkeepsie to reconnect with classmates, faculty, and members of the greater Marist community. Fifty volunteers served from one to three years on their respective reunion planning committees, reaching out to friends old and new. “Zoom” became a welcomed resource. The weekend featured receptions, campus tours, a football game, a tailgate, and a gala dinner. The Classes of 1970 and 1971 met their inaugural scholarship recipients, and the Class of 1972 launched its scholarship drive. Alumni who could not travel to the Hudson Valley were remembered through the many stories shared. A memorial service celebrated the lives and friendships of classmates. Deans provided updates on academic programs and new initiatives, underscoring the College’s commitment to providing an excellent liberal arts education. The campus offered spectacular views from all points—with smiles all arounhe Class of 1971 at their 50-year reunionMembers of the Class of 1971 celebrated 50 years since graduation.Members of the Class of 1972 reconnected at their 50-year reunion.
