TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – In July, Dr. Kevin Weinman, chief financial & administrative officer at Amherst College, was named the fifth president of Marist College. Weinman is the successor to President Dennis Murray, who has led Marist for nearly 40 years. The change in leadership begins on Monday, October 4, 2021.
On Friday, Dr. Murray issued a statement summarizing his four decades of service to Marist. Considered by many to be the driving force behind the growth of the college, Murray gave credit to many in his farewell address. “During the past four decades, Marist has become a distinctive American institution, going from a small local college to one with an international reach,” said Murray. “We have built upon the foundation laid for us by the Marist Brothers, whose emphasis on excellence in teaching, sense of community, and service to others has endured. The Brothers’ values, tradition, and heritage set Marist apart from other colleges and are still very much alive today.”
President Murray has been credited with many of the Marist successes. The outgoing president declined to take full responsibility, saying, “We have people in our community who care deeply about Marist and our mission to serve students. Our people are at the heart of what makes this such a singular institution, and we will rely upon them to shape the College’s future. Our faculty, administrators, and staff have performed remarkably well over the past 40 years, but they have shown their true character during the COVID-19 crisis. Their response to the pandemic has been nothing short of inspirational.”
Weinman is coming to Marist from Amherst College. In the Marist statement announcing his appointment as president, Weinman said, “I am both humbled and honored by the opportunity to lead this exceptional institution. I have long admired Marist’s academic excellence, outstanding reputation, and values-based mission.” Explaining his acceptance and crediting Murray, he added, “I’m also drawn to its enduring commitment to the liberal arts and the way in which its innovative curriculum prepares today’s students to meet tomorrow’s needs. Marist has been extremely well managed, and I look forward to continuing this responsible financial stewardship while maximizing the use of resources to advance the College’s mission.”
