Around Campus
Fall Semester 2023
Study Abroad Fair
Over 700 students attended this semester’s Study Abroad Fair at Marist: Hosted by the Marist Abroad office, this year’s fair featured many of the abroad programs that Marist provides. Attendees gained insight into each program from Marist Abroad representatives, faculty, and other students!
Going abroad is for everyone: If you want to go abroad for a year, semester, month, or just a few weeks, there's a program for you. The abroad office not only provides 75 programs around the globe, but all give you the option to petition for other international programs that they don’t yet offer.
Unique program opportunities: Marist offers two first-year experience programs, which allow students to study for an entire year in Florence, Italy, or Dublin, Ireland. Students also have the opportunity to spend all four years at the Marist Italy Campus. If a full year or semester away from campus does not fit your academic plan, then it's still possible to study abroad via short-term attachment programs.
Why it matters: This current fall semester, 267 Marist students expanded their horizons by going abroad. “Studying abroad can allow students to gain new academic perspectives, help them with their professional development, and of course it will create memories that will last a lifetime,” said Caitlin Paul, Coordinator of Short-Term, Summer, and Provider Programs.
Arctic Edges Exhibition
The “Arctic Edges” exhibt in the Steel Plant Art Gallery features climate-change artwork by Marist Professor Matt Frieburghaus, professor of digital media and faculty coordinator of digital media and studio art.
The artwork on exhibit includes a video, collages, watercolors, and objects that he created over the last year based on his research from an expedition to the Arctic.
Journeying through the Arctic: In June 2022, Professor Frieburghaus went on an expedition in the high Arctic of Svalbard with other artists, writers, and scientists. He journeyed from Arctic ports in the northern reaches of Norway, stopping at glaciers and sea ice along the way.
Art imitates life: The artwork on display is a reaction to the climate changes he witnessed while on his expedition. “Bringing attention to climate change has become increasingly important to me and is most notable in my Ghosts of Icebergs series,” said Frieburghaus. “In those watercolors, I decided to mask the iceberg, only revealing its shape and reflection as if only the spirit and memory remain.”
Marist Shelter Meal Food Drive
Let’s recap: Thomas Zurhellen, professor of English and Navy veteran, spearheaded the third Marist Shelter Meal Food Drive. All the food donated from this drive went to the Dutchess County shelter on Hamilton Street in Poughkeepsie and fed approximately 150 people. This was accomplished in partnership with Hudson River Housing (HRH), whose mission is to build sustainable communities and revitalize affordable housing throughout the Hudson Valley.
Picnic for the people: While food drives often consist primarily of canned and non-perishable foods, Zurhellen makes his food drives special by having a theme and soliciting homemade dishes. This drive’s theme was "summer picnic" which called for foods like chicken, pasta salad, sandwiches, coleslaw, vegetables, brownies, and cookies. Many gluten-free, vegan, and grab-and-go options were brought as well. Past Marist Shelter food themes included Mexican and Italian cuisines.
Giving back to the community: “I can say first-hand the folks there [at the shelter] are so appreciative of a home-cooked meal,” said Zurhellen. The Marist Shelter Meal drive allows students and faculty to easily give back to the surrounding community. Around 40 Marist faculty, staff, and students alike were happy to contribute meals made with love to help broaden food security and access.
Liberty Partnerships Program Volleyball Game
A Win On & Off the Court: On September 15, the Marist Women’s Volleyball team had their first home win of the season! This game against Siena served as a backdrop for an inspirational message to a special group of girls in the crowd of red. Through the Marist Liberty Partnership Program, the varsity and junior varsity Poughkeepsie High School girls volleyball teams got to witness the amazing win.
Inspiring the Community: After the game, the Poughkeepsie High School girls teams met the Marist players and took pictures with them. The Marist players were grateful to mentor the young women and spread the inspiring message that with hard work and perseverance, they can achieve their goals on the volleyball court and in academic life.
The Marist Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP) assists the Poughkeepsie school district in creating an environment that emphasizes learning and career paths outside of high school. With the assistance of Marist students, LPP seeks to prevent dropouts and provide mentorship to Poughkeepsie students.
The impact: “Learning from this group of strong female collegiate athletes is something that resonates deeply with the members of our Poughkeepsie girls volleyball teams,” said Dwayne Douglas, Assistant Director of LPP. “We were happy to collaborate with Marist Athletics as the girls truly enjoyed watching a successful game in action.”
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