Marist College to change name to Marist University

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Marist College has announced that its name will be changing to Marist University. The name change will happen on January 29, said school officials.

“Marist has achieved remarkable success over the past several decades, transforming from a small regional college into a nationally and internationally renowned leader in higher education," said Marist President Dr. Kevin C. Weinman. "Marist University better describes the breadth of opportunities we offer to students today and the vision we have for Marist’s next century."

The name change follows a unanimous vote of support by the Board of Trustees and approval of university designation from the New York State Board of Regents. School officials said the change will also help enhance Marist's global appeal.

Marist was founded in 1929 and now has over 5,000 undergraduates and almost 1,000 graduate students across its main campus in Poughkeepsie, branch campus in Florence, Italy, and online graduate programs.

“Our founding values and distinctive strengths will continue to shape our future as we define what university means to us, one aspiring to new heights while preserving the intimate, student-focused elements of a college,” said Dr. Weinman. 

A community-wide celebration and unveiling of a new storytelling campaign is planned for January 29. That's when students will return for the spring semester and the name change will go into effect.