Marist University is a private university in Poughkeepsie, New York, United State. Marist was founded by the Marist Brothers, a Catholic religious institute, in 1905 to prepare brothers for their vocations as educators. By 1969, the college had become private with a predominantly lay board of trustees, and in 2003 the Catholic Church recognized Marist as a sec…Marist University is a private university in Poughkeepsie, New York, United State. Marist was founded by the Marist Brothers, a Catholic religious institute, in 1905 to prepare brothers for their vocations as educators. By 1969, the college had become private with a predominantly lay board of trustees, and in 2003 the Catholic Church recognized Marist as a secular institution.