February 24, 2025 — Take a look at the latest news in student life and activities from across the Poughkeepsie campus and beyond!

NRF Foundation

Over the winter break, 13 Marist students attended the NRF Foundation Student Program in New York City. The four-day event, held at the Marriott Marquis, gave students the opportunity to explore career paths in the retail industry, meet with recruiters, and create visions for their futures. Retail executives such as Goodwill Industries President Steven Preston and Ikea CEO Javier Quiñones, shared their stories, insights, and takeaways from their careers. The students were accompanied by Acting Associate Dean of the School of Communication and the Arts Jennifer Finn.

FYS Common Read Lecture Event

Ebony Stewart speaking with students and staff. Photo by Alexandra Rossi '24/Marist University.

On Feb. 4, students filled the McCann Arena students eager to hear speaker Ebony Stewart, an award-winning author and poet. Stewart was one of the 16 contributors to "Ab(solutely) Normal: Short Stories that Smash Mental Health Stereotypes," the First-Year Seminar Common Read. Marist’s Common Read is a form of connection between first-year students, and a keystone to the teachings of First-Year Seminar courses. The mixed-genre anthology offers works that explore the depth and breadth of mental health challenges, while providing an uplifting and empowering message to all readers.

Crowbar Awards

Meghan Sharpe ‘27 and Marisa Brown ’27 (bottom right) talk to Geno Schellenberger and Nikki Baker on the Breaking & Entering Podcast. Photo courtesy of Tori Hegenauer '27/Marist University.

Marisa Brown ’27 and Meghan Sharpe ’27 won the first-place prize in the Crowbar Awards, a competition put on by advertising news company Breaking & Entering for anyone with 3 years of experience or less in the field. Their Dollar Tree Campaign, made as part of Joanna D’Avanzo’s Advertising Portfolio Development class, used AI and Gen Z humor to capture the judges’ attention. Appearing on the Breaking & Entering podcast, Marisa and Meghan discussed their campaign with Geno Schellenberger, Co-Founder of Breaking & Entering, and Nikki Baker, CEO of Fallon. Marisa and Meghan also partnered with Steam and popular streamer Vanillamace to develop and launch a video game.

P.S. I Love You Day

Students explore P.S. I Love You Day tables in the student center. Photo by Kaelyn Schmidt '28/Marist University.

Marist’s annual tradition of honoring love, kindness, and positivity has returned to campus with P.S. I Love You Day. Hosted on the second Friday of February, the event aims to bring awareness to suicide prevention and mental health in a season defined by love. Created by Brooke DiPalma '18 at 14 after the tragic death of her father, the event serves as a reminder that you are never alone. The main festivities took place in the Murray Student Center, where decorated tables from clubs such as the Department of Spiritual Life and Service and Tri Sigma lined the hallway with candy, crafts, and words of encouragement. Honoring it’s 15 year milestone, this year’s theme was Be The Light — a reminder to always help those in need.