Ross A. Mauri '80, General Manager, z Systems, IBM Corporation and Vice Chair of the Marist Board of Trustees, yesterday announced the first Linux-only mainframe, LinuxONE, at LinuxCon in Seattle, Washington.  IBM has chosen Marist, along with Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies, to host clouds that will provide developers access to a virtual IBM LinuxONE at no cost.

Additionally, Marist joins the Linux Foundation on the Open Mainframe Project which will bring together industry experts to drive innovation and the development of Linux on the mainframe. The Open Mainframe Project will focus on finding ways to leverage new software and tools in the Linux environment that are ideal for taking advantage of the mainframe's speed, security, scalability, and availability.  As an early adopter of Linux, open source, and mainframe technology, Marist's participation in the Open Mainframe Project will provide its students, faculty, and staff with another avenue of research. Marist, the University of Bedfordshire, and The Center for Information Assurance and Cybersecurity at University of Washington are the first academic institutions participating as members in the Open Mainframe Project.

"We are excited for the opportunity to join such influential and leading-edge technology projects," said Bill Thirsk, Vice President of Information Technology / CIO at Marist College. "Collaborating with IBM and the Linux Foundation provides Marist students the ability to learn how to manage and capitalize the most powerful available server technology and to be a part of the creation of new open source software systems that will change how the world connects, transacts, and competes."

About Marist

Marist College, recognized for excellence by The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Barron's Best Buys in College Education, and Entrepreneur, is a highly selective, comprehensive, liberal arts institution noted for its leadership in the use of technology in and out of the classroom.  Founded in 1929, Marist overlooks the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, New York, midway between New York City and Albany, the state capital.  Marist is ecumenical in character and reflects the ideals of the founder of the Marist Brothers, St. Marcellin Champagnat: commitment to excellence in education, a pursuit of higher human values, and dedication to the principle of service.  Marist is dedicated to helping students develop the intellect and character required for enlightened, ethical, and productive lives in the global community of the 21st century.  Marist educates 4,700 traditional-age undergraduate students and over 1,400 adult and graduate students in 44 undergraduate majors and 12 graduate programs, including fully online MBA, MPA, MS, and MA degrees.  In partnership with Istituto Lorenzo de' Medici, Marist also educates over 500 students annually at the College’s branch campus located in Florence, Italy.