February 25, 2025 — Marist University is proud to announce a generous multimillion-dollar pledge from alumni Genine and Michael McCormick '88/'88/P'16 through the McCormick Family Foundation, that will expand opportunities for students to engage deeply with history, leadership, and civic life.

This gift will grow the availability of the Long Reach Society and Scholarship program to more students who have a desire to achieve a major or minor in History or American Studies and how it influences industry, leadership, and global citizenry. Long Reach Scholars will meet the highest academic standards and be engaged in a variety of activities that extend beyond scholarly pursuits. In time, the total number of Marist students participating in the Long Reach Society will reach 40, further expanding this unique opportunity for academic growth and leadership.

Students selected to the Long Reach Society benefit not only from scholarship aid but also are given access to preeminent hands-on learning experiences, national civic engagement programming and opportunities, and dedicated faculty mentorship—ensuring they graduate ready to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

“I am incredibly grateful, as is everyone at Marist University, to Genine and Michael for their generosity and investment in Marist students,” said President Kevin Weinman. “Their gift does so much to advance several of the ambitious priorities outlined in Marist 100. The Long Reach Society and Scholarship program expands access and attracts highly talented students to study at Marist; provides scholarship recipients a dynamic community of scholars, friends, and colleagues so they can thrive in and out of the classroom; and offers transformational learning experiences that broaden students’ understanding of history and civic leadership. As a history scholar myself, I personally know how the study of history and development of skills such as critical thinking, writing, debate and dialogue, prepares students for a lifetime of success in any field of work.”

Left to Right: Scholars Elisabet Guerrero Hernandez '25 and Harumi Kameda '25, Michael McCormick, and Genine McCormick. Photo by Al Nowak/On Location.

Giving Students Access to Transformative Learning Experiences
Named for the Hudson River’s historic “long reach” — a particularly straight, long stretch of the river that includes the Marist campus — the Long Reach Society gives students a dynamic, collaborative community. Members receive individualized mentorship while engaging in exclusive enrichment experiences through many of Marist’s Centers for Research and Engagement and external partners, including:

• The Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership
• The Hudson River Valley Institute
• The Marist Institute for Public Opinion
• The FDR Presidential Library and Museum

The Long Reach Society has a strategic partnership with the renowned Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (GLI) which serves thousands of teachers and students across the United States with their programming. Through this collaboration, students can access valuable resources within their vault of original historical documents, educational trips to Mount Vernon, research experiences, paid internships, and the opportunity to attend the Broadway musical Hamilton under their EduHam program. These experiences deepen students’ understanding of American history and enrich their academic journey.

Long Reach Scholars on trip to see the Broadway hit “Hamilton” in 2023. Photo courtesy of Dr. Robyn Rosen.

The Society fosters a vibrant intellectual community by giving students memorable real-world experiences in history and public service. Past experiences have included:

• Educational experience at Gettysburg’s battlefields and museum 
• Engaging with scholars at the FDR Presidential Library and Museum 
• Dining with distinguished lecturers and historians
• Participating in a public service career trip to Washington, D.C. 
• Research at prominent historic institutions
• Publishing in historical journals
• Support for Fulbright Scholarship applications and unpaid internships

“The Long Reach Society provides us with countless opportunities for learning, fun, personal growth, and real-world connections,” said Jared Guerin '27, scholarship recipient and current secretary for the Long Reach Society. “These experiences go far beyond academics or career development—they foster mentorship from upperclassmen, personal guidance from our faculty advisor, Dr. Robyn Rosen, and connections with professors and fellow students. Most importantly, Long Reach has created a close-knit community, where we’ve bonded over late-night discussions or simply shared the awe of standing where history happened. These moments have united us as members of this society and strengthened our connection to Marist as a whole.”

Genine and Michael McCormick at the dedication of McCormick Hall in 2019. Photo by Al Nowak/On Location.

A Legacy of Giving and Leadership
"We hope this gift inspires Marist students across all academic disciplines to explore history, engage with the world around them, and take advantage of all that Marist has to offer both inside and outside the classroom," said Genine. “Studying and understanding history is important across all industries and to becoming responsible global citizens, and Michael and I are honored to help attract talent in all forms by developing the Long Reach Society at Marist.”

The McCormicks, both members of the Class of 1988, have been steadfast supporters of the University and the Marist Fund and remain dedicated to support the Fund’s mission going forward. In 2000, they established the McCormick Family Foundation, which has supported programs benefiting children and now includes the Long Reach Scholarship for exceptional students studying History and American Studies. In 2019, Genine and Michael made a generous lead gift to name McCormick Hall, which was dedicated in their honor that May. Genine currently serves as Chair of the University’s Board of Trustees and Michael sits on the Board of Trustees for the Gilder Lehrman Institute.

For more information about how the Long Reach Society supports student success at Marist and to apply for the scholarship program, visit www.marist.edu/long-reach-society.