Marist College Notable Alumni
Marist College, now Marist University, has a long history of fostering leaders in various fields. Founded in 1905 by the Marist Brothers, the institution has evolved from a preparatory school for educators into a comprehensive university offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. With over 25,000 alumni worldwide, Marist graduates have made significant contributions to business, law, medicine, education, hospitality, public service, and more. This article explores the notable alumni of Marist College, highlighting their achievements and contributions to society.
History and Evolution of Marist College
Marist College was established in 1905 by the Marist Brothers, a Catholic religious institute dedicated to education. The Brothers arrived in the Mid-Hudson Valley and purchased property to create a house of studies. Initially, the focus was on preparing brothers for their roles as educators. In 1929, Marist gained accreditation from the state, enabling it to offer a broader array of degrees in the arts and sciences.
Over the years, Marist expanded its academic offerings and physical infrastructure. In 1946, it received an official four-year college charter under the name Marian College. Key milestones include the opening of Sheahan Hall, the first residence hall, in 1962, and the admission of women to evening classes in 1966 and day classes in 1968. The college also established strategic partnerships, notably with IBM, which led to significant advancements in technology and computing resources on campus.
The leadership of presidents like Linus Richard Foy and Dennis J. Murray played a crucial role in Marist's growth. Foy initiated cooperative programs with secondary schools, while Murray oversaw a doubling of enrollment and expansion of the campus. Major construction projects, such as the James A. Cannavino Library (completed in 1999) and the Hancock Center (completed in 2011), have enhanced the campus's academic and technological resources.
Prominent Alumni in Politics and Public Service
Marist College has produced several notable alumni who have excelled in politics and public service, making significant impacts at the local, state, and national levels.
Read also: Marist Student Body Profile
Eric Leroy Adams is an American politician and former police officer currently serving as the 110th mayor of New York City since 2022. His career includes over 20 years in the New York City Transit Police and the New York City Police Department (NYPD), where he retired as a captain. Adams also served in the New York State Senate from 2006 to 2013 and as Brooklyn Borough President from 2013 to 2021, the first Black American to hold that position.
Joseph Charles Borelli is an American politician who formerly served as the Minority Leader of the New York City Council. Representing the 51st District, encompassing much of the South Shore of Staten Island, Borelli is a Republican and a supporter of Donald Trump. He is now a political consultant for Chartwell Strategy Group.
Carlina Rivera is an American politician representing the 2nd district of the New York City Council since 2018. A member of the Democratic Party, her district includes portions of the East Village, Gramercy Park, Kips Bay, Lower East Side, Murray Hill, and Rose Hill in Manhattan.
Daniel Dromm served on the New York City Council from the 25th district from 2010 to 2021. As a Democrat, he represented East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, and Jackson Heights in Queens.
Kevin Byrne is the 6th County Executive of Putnam County, NY, and a former state legislator in the New York State Assembly. He is a registered Republican.
Read also: Marist College Graduate Costs
Patrick Mara is a former elected member of the District of Columbia Board of Education.
Steve Neuhaus is the current County Executive of Orange County, New York. Elected as the youngest county executive in the office's history, he previously served as the Town Supervisor of Chester, New York. Neuhaus is also an active member of the United States Navy Reserve and has been deployed internationally multiple times during his tenure.
Louis A. Molina is the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services. Previously, he served as Assistant Deputy Mayor for Public Safety for the City of New York and as the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction. Molina has also held positions as the Chief of the Department of Public Safety for the City of Las Vegas and as a detective with the New York Police Department.
Yogananda D. Pittman is the current chief of police for the University of California, Berkeley. She formerly served as the assistant chief and acting chief of the United States Capitol Police, notably during the 2021 insurrection at the United States Capitol.
These alumni exemplify Marist College's commitment to fostering leaders who serve their communities and contribute to the political landscape.
Read also: Tuition at Marist School
Notable Alumni in Media and Entertainment
Marist College has also produced notable alumni who have made their mark in the fields of media and entertainment.
William James O'Reilly Jr. is an American conservative commentator, journalist, author, and television host. He enrolled in Marist College in 1971 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Jeffrey "Jeff" Sutphen is an American actor, producer, and game show host. He is primarily known for his work with Nickelodeon's BrainSurge from 2009 to 2011 and as the host of Figure It Out from 2012 to 2013.
James Ciccone is an American actor who has appeared in several television and film productions. He played mob boss Carmine Patriccia in the HBO television drama The Deuce. His film credits include The Kitchen, Joker, The Irishman, and Worth. He has also appeared in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Law & Order: Organized Crime, and American Horror Story.
William Hung is a Hong Kong-born American motivational speaker and former singer who gained fame in 2004 after his unsuccessful audition singing Ricky Martin's "She Bangs" on American Idol.
Gina Marie Trapani is an American tech blogger, web developer, writer, and technology executive.
These alumni have demonstrated their talent and creativity in various media platforms, contributing to the entertainment industry and shaping public discourse.
Accomplished Alumni in Sports
Marist College has a strong athletic tradition, with many of its alumni achieving success in professional sports.
Rik Smits, nicknamed "the Dunking Dutchman," is a Dutch former professional basketball player who spent his entire career with the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 7-foot-4-inch (2.24 m) center was drafted by the Pacers out of Marist College with the second overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft. An NBA All-Star in 1998, Smits reached the NBA Finals in 2000.
Menelik Watson is an English former professional American football offensive tackle. He was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft. He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles.
Sean P. Stellato is an American sports agent, motivational speaker, and author. He gained national recognition when one of his clients, Tommy DeVito, led the New York Giants to a victory against the Green Bay Packers in 2023.
Jared Ahern Jordan is an American former professional basketball player who played for various teams in Basketball Bundesliga (BBL). He last played for CSU Sibiu of the Liga Națională in Romania during the 2019-20 season.
Jay Bowie is an American professional basketball player for La Union Formosa of the Liga Nacional de Básquetbol. He played college basketball for Marist College before playing professionally in the NBA Development League, Australia, and England.
Maureen Elizabeth Magarity is an American women's basketball coach, who was the head coach of the Holy Cross Crusaders women's basketball team from 2020 to 2024. From 2010 to 2020, she coached New Hampshire.
These athletes and sports professionals have brought recognition to Marist College through their achievements and contributions to the world of sports.
Other Notable Alumni
Beyond politics, media, and sports, Marist College has produced alumni who have excelled in various other fields.
Kathleen H. Liebert is an American professional poker player.
Paul Xavier Rinn was an officer in the United States Navy. He commanded the USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58) when it struck a mine in the Persian Gulf in 1988. He later commanded USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55) and retired in 1997 at the rank of captain.
Brother Seán Sammon, F.M.S., served as the Superior General of the Marist Brothers order from 2001 to 2009.
Anna Roche Lange is a pediatric nurse practitioner practicing palliative medicine in the Supportive Care Clinic of the Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She founded and leads the Supportive Care bereavement program, providing resources and support to families following the death of a child. Lange has received multiple awards for her exceptional care.
Kimberly (Kim) Dollar has been connected to Marist communities for nearly 20 years. She served on the Notre Dame Academy Board of Trustees and the Marist School Board of Trustees. Dollar has been actively involved in Marist’s philanthropic initiatives and strategic planning process.
These alumni represent the diverse achievements and contributions of Marist College graduates across various sectors.
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