March 3, 2026 — As the sun finally emerged and temperatures inched upward, members of the Marist community chose to plunge back into the freezing cold for a great cause.

The Dutchess County Polar Plunge came to the McCann Center parking lot on Friday, drawing hundreds of participants who took the icy leap in support of Special Olympics New York.

The event raised nearly $20,000, contributing to the more than $200,000 generated throughout the entire weekend at events across Dutchess County. The organization provides year-round, Olympic-style sports training and competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities at no cost to the athletes, their families, or caregivers.

“We were thrilled to partner with Marist University for the first-ever Mobile Plunge Unit experience in support of our athletes,” said Susanne O’Neil, Director of Development for the Hudson Valley Region. “Strong partnerships like the one we share with Marist make it possible for our programs to grow and reach even more athletes, while also strengthening our presence and impact throughout the community.”

For Marist, the event marked an opportunity to put its community spirit on full display.

“The service that the Marist community provides to the region is one of the most important things that we do,” said Geoffrey Brackett, Executive Vice President of Operations and Community Relations at Marist. “We couldn’t be more proud to be affiliated with and help support this initiative.”

The funds generated will directly support inclusive opportunities for athletes across the region. For those who missed it this year, organizers hope to see an even bigger turnout in 2027.

So how did it feel to participate in the event?

“It brings me so much joy to give back to the community,” said Megan Meyer '28, who is involved with North Road Communications. “I have a similar event in my hometown and I encourage everyone to participate — you only live once!”

“Participating in the event felt exhilarating," said Alexa Akselband, Assistant Director of Counseling Services at Marist. "The Polar Plunge is for a great cause and when you have the opportunity to have fun and have funds raised, it’s a win-win!"

Scroll through the gallery below to see students, faculty, staff, and alumni alike taking the plunge!

Kaelyn Schmidt '28 contributed to this article.