Dyson Center Opens for Fall 2024 Classes

After over two years of construction, the Dyson Center opens just in time for the start of classes.

The face of the Dyson Center, the newest academic building to open on the Marist campus. Photo by Luke Sassa ‘24

After more than two years of construction, the Dyson Center opens, coinciding with the beginning of the fall 2024 semester.

The first iteration of Dyson, built in 1990, housed the School of Management and the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Original plans to reconstruct Dyson came as early as the start of 2022, and groundbreaking eventually took place on July 19 of that year.

“This has been a comprehensive renovation, essentially doubling the size of the original building,” said Marist College Director of Media Relations Anthony Proia. “The new facility features four full academic floors in a bright, comfortable, modern environment.”

The project came in at a cost of $60 million, bringing Dyson’s square footage up from 54,000 to 100,000 and providing students with various resources.

“I can’t wait to see the many different ways the facility will enhance the learning and living experience at Marist,” said President Kevin C. Weinman.

Students can grab food at Saxby’s, the student-run cafe, and relax in the lounge while doing work or chatting with friends.

“I think Dyson will serve as a second student center, one where all students spend tremendous amounts of time there, regardless of how many classes they take there,” said Weinman. 

On top of its social environment, Dyson offers state-of-the-art facilities for students, including the Center for Career Services, which has moved to the building from the James A. Cannavino Library. Dyson will provide a new venue for networking events, guest speakers, internship fairs and alumni panels.

Vast improvements have also been made to both the School of Management and the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the latter which will benefit from having its own mock courtroom. And accounting, business administration and economics majors will have access to a brand new investment center, which takes up a larger footprint than the one previously used in the Hancock Center.

Dyson will hold an official opening ceremony with a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Sept. 13, an event that will be open to the entire Marist community.

There is such excitement from everyone in our community — students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, donors and friends of the college,” said Weinman. ”We are planning a celebration that will bring them all together to hear from each other about why the building is going to be so transformative.”