Building C Dedicated as O'Shea Hall

Ominous clouds and a transient drizzle could not deter the dedication of the student housing building formerly known as New Gartland Building C, to a longtime Marist College trustee and his wife.

The third North Campus Housing residence hall was dedicated as John and Nancy O’Shea Hall on Friday, Nov. 2. The ceremony was held in the common room area of the building, which is now adorned with the names of the couple in gold.

“John has always been a stalwart supporter of the college,” said President David Yellen. “Marist has benefited greatly from his time as a dedicated trustee; he is a friend to the college in every possible way, and it means so much to the entire Marist community to have a building bearing the O’Shea name.” 

O’Shea has had a long history of interaction with the Marist campus. He first became involved in the community as a young boy, traveling to the college with his father for various construction jobs for the founding Marist Brothers.

While O’Shea did not attend Marist himself, several members of his family are alumni.

Upon graduation from Fordham University, O’Shea enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1951. He served on the destroyer ship USS Ingraham for nearly three years, and later with the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean and the Seventh Fleet in Korea. After being released from active duty in 1955, he remained in the Naval Reserves for two decades, before retiring as a commander.

Following his military career, O’Shea led a career with insurance firm Marshall & Sterling, Inc. as an account executive.

O’Shea then returned to his Marist roots to act as a member of the Board of Trustees. In his 25 years of service to the board, he was named vice president in 1970, president in 1980, and eventually chairman of the board in 1999, a position he continues to hold today.

Photo credit: Marist.edu

O’Shea’s philanthropy extends well beyond the Marist campus, to the greater Hudson Valley as well. He served as a trustee and chair of Vassar Brothers Medical Center, in addition to numerous leadership roles with the United Way of Dutchess County, Poughkeepsie Rotary Club, Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Health Quest, and Riverside Bank.

Additionally, he and his late wife created a scholarship fund for commuting students from the Hudson Valley region.

Chris DelGiorno, vice president for College Advancement, said, “few names are as synonymous with community service and leadership in our region as John O’Shea.”