POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Marist Associate Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator Elizabeth Donohue was named a Dutchess County Regional Chamber Of Commerce Forty Under 40 honoree, it was announced on Tuesday. Donohue is in her 15th year as a member of the Marist Athletics Department.
“I am very to honored to have been selected amongst a well-respected and accomplished group,” Donohue said. “This recognition symbolizes the opportunity I have had to lead our student-athletes in numerous service initiatives that benefit the community and committee work that aims to enhance student life.”
In her current role, Donohue serves as the direct contact for the 12 female athletic programs at Marist, and works to promote and maintain gender equity amongst the male and female teams. She monitors and records all NCAA, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and Pioneer Football League (PFL) required activities relating to recruitment, participation, financial aid, and eligibility.
In her nine years as Associate Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator, Donohue has implemented Senior Woman Administrator luncheons, where female athletes from each team are invited to an informal lunch to discuss topics concerning them as females within college athletics. She previously coordinated the annual Girl Scout Clinic on campus, which introduces young scouts to different sport programs and athletic opportunities. Additionally, Donohue has coordinated the Special Olympics regional event. This annual competition brings Special Olympians to campus to compete in various events while Marist student-athletes volunteer in assisting and encouraging them.
She has played an integral role to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee serving as the advisor to the group since 2005. Donohue has the rewarding opportunity to research and identify various projects and organizations for her group to work with throughout the Hudson Valley. These have included schools, community centers and charity organizations including, but not limited to, the Grace Smith House, American Heart Association, Friends of Jaclyn, and the Catherine Street Community Center. Two groups in particular have developed strong relationships with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Bonnie Boxes and CHEMpals work with the group to create shoe boxes filled with items to assist patients during chemotherapy treatments to local hospitals and treatment facilities, and greeting cards that Marist student-athletes have written for cancer patients at Vassar Brothers Hospital.
Donohue is a member of several committees, both locally and nationally. She serves on the advisory board of the Marist Professional Women's Mentor Program and helps to create professional programming for the other participants. Donohue served on the NCAA Legislative Council taking part in the decision making of the proposed bylaws within the framework of the NCAA and was a four year member of the NCAA Division I Cross Country/Track and Field Committee. She currently serves on the MAAC Sports Sponsorship Committee and is the chair of the MAAC Water Polo Committee and Championships. Other Marist committee involvement include RADAR, a behavioral intervention committee, the College's Title IX Committee and the Marist Young Professional Program.
