2019 Honorees: Fusco Foundation, Alexander Reese, and Robert and Kathleen Finn 
 

October 30, 2019—President Dennis Murray presented Marist College’s President’s Award for Community Service to the Frank A. Fusco and Nelly Goletti Fusco Foundation, Alexander Reese, and Robert and Kathleen Finn at the College’s 52nd annual Community Breakfast today in the Murray Student Center Cabaret on campus.

The Award for Community Service—the longest running community award program in the region—recognizes those who have made the Hudson River Valley a better place to live, learn, and work. More than 100 community leaders have received this honor.

The Fusco Foundation was honored for its commitment to music education and performance at Marist. Notably, the Foundation’s gifts to the College have funded numerous spaces on campus, including the Nelly Goletti Theatre, the Fusco Recital Hall, and the Frank A. Fusco Reading Room in the Cannavino Library. Additionally, the Foundation’s generosity has provided Marist with a Steinway grand piano for the enrichment of its music program. Most recently, Marist was extremely grateful to receive $2.5 million to support the Frank A. Fusco and Nelly Goletti Fusco Music Scholarship and the soon-to-be-named Fusco Music Center. Fusco Foundation board members John Kennedy, John Esposito, and Shaileen Kopec accepted the award.

Reese, who was honored for his commitment to environmental causes and preserving Hudson River Valley history, is a proponent of organic farming in the region and is at the helm of Obercreek Farm in Hughsonville. He serves on numerous regional boards, including: Scenic Hudson; Glynwood, a nonprofit supporting agriculture in the Hudson River Valley; Grinnell Library; Cunneen-Hackett Cultural Center; Vassar Brothers Hospital; and Boscobel. He is the chair of the advisory board of Marist’s Hudson River Valley Institute and a past member of Marist’s Board of Trustees.

The Finns were recognized for their longstanding commitment to eradicating domestic violence in the region through their ongoing work with Poughkeepsie-based Grace Smith House. Bob Finn, a 1966 alumnus of the College, was also noted for his involvement with Marist, dating back to his student days when he helped found the College’s football club and for his support of the Hudson Valley Scholars Program, which provides scholarships to local high school graduates attending Marist. In addition to Grace Smith House, Kathy Finn’s charitable work has also included the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation and St. Simeon Senior Housing.

Photo: President Murray with the 2019 honorees.