February 4, 2025 — The Marist community is still bursting with energy after ushering in a momentous new beginning as Marist University last Wednesday. More than 1,000 students, faculty, staff, and friends packed the Dyson Center and over 3,000 members of the global community joined online, including students in Florence and Dublin who were gathered for watch parties. 

The kickoff event was filled with big reveals and big cheers, including the unveiling of an eight-foot-wide, six-foot-tall Marist University logo, debut of a new commercial and marketing campaign, and t-shirts tossed into the crowd bearing the new University name.

An experiential learning expo immediately followed in Dyson and the campus community gathered again in late afternoon for a block party at the McCann Center.

President Kevin Weinman speaks to the attendees in a jam-packed Dyson Center. Photo by Carlo de Jesus/Marist University.

“This is our moment,” exclaimed President Kevin Weinman from the stage. “Today, we begin to write a new chapter to add to what is already one of the best stories in higher ed.”

The day’s festivities followed the themes of “engage in serious learning” and “chase serious fun,” showcasing Marist’s unique blend of liberal arts and hands-on, applied learning as well as fun spirit. Moments before the new logo was unveiled, Weinman set the tone for the excited Marist community, highlighting the significance of this milestone.

“We talk a lot about ‘and’ not ‘or’ at Marist. Students have a wide range of opportunities that you’d see at the largest university and high touch and hands-on forms of learning and support you’d see at the smallest college,” said Weinman. “This is the special blend that has always defined Marist and distinguished it from other colleges and universities.”

 

 

Weinman emphasized that while the name is changing, the mission remains the same. Students will continue to combine top-tier liberal arts with dozens of pre-professional programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels, study in Poughkeepsie, Florence, Dublin, and over 70 study abroad programs worldwide, and student-athletes will still excel in the MAAC conference both athletically and academically.

New Chair of the Marist Board of Trustees Genine McCormick '88/P’16 expressed excitement for the outlook ahead.  

“We’re excited that Marist will use this moment to look boldly to the future and introduce the University to new audiences, achieving national and international prominence, while also preserving the enduring qualities that have defined the school since its founding.”

The Dyson Center on University Day as seen from the fourth floor. Photo by Carlo de Jesus/Marist University.

Daryl Richard, Vice President of Communications and Marketing, led the count down to the big reveal of the new university logo—complete with a drumroll from the Marist Band—as participants in Dyson joined in along with those online. After the ceremony ended, lines grew as people waited to be among the first to get their photos with the giant Marist University logo that includes a six-foot-tall shield with the script “M” from the Marist seal etched in it. 

“We will always remain committed to our founding value of doing good quietly and maintain a high degree of institutional humility,” said Weinman. “We’ve long brought Marist to the world and the world to Marist. So let’s do a little of that, right here and now.”