Athletics

Marist Receives $2 Million Gift from James J. McCann Charitable Trust

Marist College
 

Continuing its long-standing support of Marist, the Poughkeepsie-based James J. McCann Charitable Trust has issued a $2 million grant to the College for replacement and significant expansion of the auxiliary gym and fitness center in the James J. McCann Recreation Center.

“The McCann Charitable Trust has deep ties with Marist and this generous grant will allow us to improve and expand these facilities for our entire student body. McCann trustees Michael Gartland and Richard Corbally have been dedicated to this project and we  greatly appreciate that,” said College President David Yellen.

McCann, a Poughkeepsie native, established his trust in 1969 to support “progressive human welfare work” and it has funded numerous projects in the community and at Marist since its inception. The current grant to Marist is the latest in significant support from the McCann Trust for athletics and recreation facilities at the College. In 1977, a gift from the McCann Trust built the Recreation Center, which bears James’s name. The auxiliary gym was part of an expansion project in 1997.

The McCann Trust also provided major funding for numerous other improvements at Marist including the Lowell Thomas Communications Center; athletic fields; and significant upgrades to the library, roadways, parking lots, and chapel. In addition, the McCann Trust has funded McCann Scholarships that have enabled hundreds of area students to attend Marist; fellowships, seminars, and summer study programs; and the College’s first endowed chair, the Dr. Linus Richard Foy Chair in Computer Science.

“The Trust is privileged to be able to continue the expressions of James McCann’s interest in educational opportunities for young people, and are pleased to support Marist in this latest effort,” said Richard Corbally, a trustee of the McCann Trust.

"The auxiliary gym is utilized by our Division 1 athletes, club sports, and for general student recreation activities throughout the year,” noted Chris DelGiorno, Vice President for College Advancement. “The McCann Recreation Center is an integral part of campus life at Marist and this gift will enhance the student experience at the College for years to come."

Work on the facility is slated to begin in June 2018.

 

About the James J. McCann Charitable Trust

James J. McCann was born in Poughkeepsie in 1880, one of five children. The family business, a feed and grain store on Main Street, came into his care when his siblings chose other pursuits. On his 21st birthday, his father gave him stock certificates, inspiring what would become a lifelong passion for investing. After McCann outlived his siblings, he set up a trust in 1967 for “progressive human welfare work." His success in the stock market was responsible for the sizable estate that established the James J. McCann Charitable Trust.

McCann died in 1969 at age 89. Since then, the trustees of the foundation have carried out his vision to support recreational, health, community, religious, and educational opportunities in Dutchess County.

 

About Marist

Located on the banks of the historic Hudson River and at its Florence, Italy branch campus, Marist College is a comprehensive, independent institution grounded in the liberal arts. Its mission is to “help students develop the intellect, character, and skills required for enlightened, ethical, and productive lives in the global community of the 21st century.” Marist is consistently recognized for excellence by The Princeton Review (Colleges That Create Futures and The Best 381 Colleges), U.S. News & World Report (9th Best Regional University/North), Kiplinger’s Personal Finance (“Best College Values”), and others. Though now independent, Marist remains committed to the ideals handed down from its founders, the Marist Brothers: excellence in education, a sense of community, and a commitment to service. Marist educates approximately 5,000 traditional-age undergraduate students and 1,400 adult and graduate students in 47 undergraduate majors and 14 graduate programs, including fully online MBA, MPA, MS, and MA degrees. 

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