POUGHKEEPSIE – A room full of noteworthy civic leaders attended the 50th annual President’s Community Breakfast at Marist College in Poughkeepsie Thursday, honoring two new recipients of the prestigious Community Service award, presented to restaurateur Nick Citera and community leader Shirley Adams.
Founded in 1905, the exclusive private college was established by the Marist Brothers, a French Catholic religious order, to prepare brothers for their vocations as educators. Today the institution has grown to become one of the best ranked higher education providers in the United States, and a regional economic development anchor.
Award recipients are selected for their outstanding lifelong contributions to the Hudson Valley. Adams has served since 1996 as executive director of the Catharine Street Community Center, which provides school readiness and literacy support services to at-risk children and their parents. Citera co-owns the real estate firm Cosimo’s Development Group and Cosimo’s Restaurant Group, a family-owned business.
Both honorees also sit on numerous volunteer community groups.
College President David Yellen joked about his recent arrival, relatively speaking, to the area. He took the position in July 2016 as the fourth president, following retirement of Dennis Murray. “We are incredibly proud to be a leading member of this community. Marist has a very large cultural and economic impact upon the region,” Yellen told the assembled dignitaries.
Adams thanked her mentors, who nurtured and supported her rise out of segregated society as a child. She recalled her late mother’s successful efforts to graduate college, despite a marked absence of services. “She took her role very seriously, believing that receiving a good education is fundamental principle of survival. Where you come from does not determine where you’re going,” Adams noted.
Citera, a Marist alumnus, said much has changed since his undergraduate days. “Living here in the Hudson Valley since 1975, I have seen this campus transformed into what it is today, which is nothing short of spectacular,” he said, calling the school a forward-thinking innovative place where opportunity is created. “Marist has set a tremendous precedent in what it means to be an asset to your community, through demonstrating pride and devotion in your work,” he said.
Public officials present for the award ceremony included Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro, Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison, and New York State Senator Sue Serino.
