POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Marist University announces the Red Fox Faves awards, a new annual student choice awards program designed to spotlight students’ connections to the Poughkeepsie area community.

Designed by and voted on by students, Red Fox Faves was created to celebrate local businesses and the places on and off campus that have come to define the Marist student experience, reinforcing the University’s commitment to creating a college town vibe for Poughkeepsie and surrounding communities.

“Having so many options for dining, entertainment, and recreation within walking distance and a short ride from campus is one of the things I love most about going to Marist,” said Sierra Fisher '26, a Marist senior who helped launch Red Fox Faves. “Hundreds of students voted in this year’s inaugural program, proof of how much students love being part of the local community.”

The 2026 Red Fox Faves
Here are the winners in each of the 10 categories voted on by students. More information, including runner ups, can be found on the Red Fox Faves web site.

• Favorite place to get coffee: Ready Coffee
• Favorite breakfast spot: Eastdale Bagels
• Favorite lunch spot: Lola’s Café
• Favorite restaurant to bring your family to: Cosimo’s
• Favorite sweet treat: Sweet Frog
• Favorite outdoor recreation spot: Walkway Over the Hudson
• Favorite on-campus bite: The Halal Shack
• Favorite late-night craving: McDonald’s
• Favorite study spot: James A. Cannavino Library
• Favorite Marist tradition: Tree Lighting

“We love supporting Marist and seeing so many students and families come through our doors,” says Carlo Citera, owner of Cosimo's. “Our goal is to be your go-to neighborhood spot—whether you’re here for a big celebration or just a quick bite. That’s exactly what we’re here for!”

A Thriving “College Town” Region
Poughkeepsie was recently named one of America’s Top 100 Greatest Cities of 2025 by World’s Best Cities (Resonance Consultancy). The ranking cites several factors that contribute to that recognition, including the vibrant atmosphere, cultural offerings, livability, and the presence of higher education institutions like Marist and Vassar. The ranking specifically notes the city’s “vibrant college town atmosphere” as one element of what makes the community appealing.

A growing college town atmosphere also has significant economic benefits for the region:

• More than 25% of the region’s workforce (230,000 jobs in all) is employed by the 28 colleges and universities or health care centers located in the Mid-Hudson Valley, according to a 2025 report from The Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council.
• Marist University has an annual local economic impact of $500 million, according to a report from Think Dutchess.

“The launch of Red Fox Faves is a great way to celebrate these local businesses and special sites,” said Rebecca Edwards, Town of Poughkeepsie Supervisor. “Thank you to Marist University, also, for this reminder of how college and university students help sustain our local economy.”

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About Marist University: Founded in 1929, Marist University is a comprehensive, independent four-year institution that blends the liberal arts with pre-professional studies and emphasizes experiential learning to enrich classroom instruction. With campuses in Poughkeepsie, New York, and Florence, Italy, as well as more than 70 programs offering a variety of international study options, the University is a portal to the world and is devoted to nurturing a welcoming, inclusive community. Through six schools offering nearly 50 majors, Marist fosters the intellectual growth and well-being of its more than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The University encourages students to explore beyond traditional academic boundaries, pursuing coursework and personal experiences that provide valuable occupational expertise and reflect their individual passions. Marist has been recognized as a top institution in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, The Princeton Review, and others.