Tim Massie joined Marist College in 1994 and, as chief public affairs officer, is the official Marist spokesman. Tim directs the college's regional, national and international media relations efforts, arranges the college's participation in a wide variety of community events, works closely with government officials at all levels, and provides Marist students with opportunities to become involved in activities that make their Marist experience unique.
Tim began his career as a news reporter for WEOK/WPDH Radio in Poughkeepsie, then entered the field of public relations with the Civil Service Employees Association. Tim also served as assistant to the chairman of the Dutchess County Legislature before being hired by Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation as director of consumer outreach, news director, then director of corporate communications. At Bryant College, Tim was director of communications and enhanced Bryant's image by gaining national exposure for the college through a wide variety of newspaper and magazine articles, radio interviews, and television appearances by Bryant faculty, staff, and students.
A recognized leader in the use of technology in media relations, Tim has generated literally thousands of articles, features, and broadcast reports on Marist programs, students, faculty and staff. He also coordinated Marist's involvement in events ranging from the 1995 Clinton-Yeltsin summit in Hyde Park and the 1997 dedication of the FDR Memorial in Washington, DC, to the 1999 canonization of Saint Marcellin Champagnat in Vatican City and the 2000 meeting of the Democratic Leadership Council at Marist. Tim is also an adjunct lecturer at Marist teaching two popular courses in organizational writing and religious studies; the latter course includes a spring break trip to Italy.
A Poughkeepsie native, Tim is a graduate of Dutchess Community College, was DCC's 2002 commencement speaker, and has been named to the State University of New York Alumni Honor Roll and the DCC Alumni Hall of Fame. He received a bachelor's degree in political science from Fordham University, which named Tim a Public Service Education Fellow. He undertook additional studies at Iona College, the North American College in Vatican City and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. During his studies at the Vatican and in Rome, Tim was commissioned an officer in the United States Air Force Reserves and served with the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing in Bitburg, Germany. He also worked with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity at a soup kitchen and shelter for homeless men in Rome.
Tim has volunteered for more than 40 community organizations, including serving two terms as a member and president of the City of Poughkeepsie Board of Education, president of Dutchess Outreach, president of the Dutchess County Chapter of Literacy Volunteers of America, chairman of the Dutchess County Arts Council, and vice president of Taconic Resources for Independence. He is currently a director of the Dyson Foundation and serves on the boards of Saint Francis Hospital, the Saint Simeon Foundation, and the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, all in Poughkeepsie; the HealthCare Chaplaincy in New York City, and the Marist Brothers in Esopus, NY. He received the Community Leadership Award from the New Horizons Foundation in 2001, the Poughkeepsie-based Family Partnership Center's Excellence in Community Service Award in 2004, the Bessie Payne Humanitarian Award from Dutchess ARC in 2007, and the Saint Cabrini HomeGold Medal for outstanding contributions and service to the people of the Hudson Valley in 2008.
Tim is active in the Archdiocese of New York, serving on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council and the Dutchess County Vicariate Council. He is a Knight Grand Officer (KCH*S) in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, represents the Archdiocese on the Commission for Catholic-Jewish Dialogue, and served as an instructor for the Archdiocesan Catechetical Institute. Tim co-chairs the annual Monsignor Emil F. Kapusta Memorial Dutchess County Prayer Breakfast. He is also a member of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums.
