Adding a dash of red to the sea of green caps and sweaters
filling 5th Avenue, more than 100 students, professors, staff and
alumni from St. John’s University joined the marchers in New York
City’s 244th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The larger-than-usual St. John’s turnout on March 17 honored the
selection of Denis Kelleher, ’63CBA, ’91HON, as Grand Marshal of
this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Kelleher is chairman of St.
John’s Board of Trustees and a generous supporter of his alma
mater.
Wearing their red-and-white sashes, the St. John’s marchers drew
cheers from the many alumni watching along the route. “Go Red
Storm,” some onlookers shouted. “Yeah, St. John’s!” When the St.
John’s contingent passed the grandstand, they received a hearty
salute from Kelleher.
Rev. Michael J. Carroll, C.M., St. John’s Executive Vice
President for Mission and Branch Campuses, joined Mr. Kelleher on
the grandstand. “You could truly feel Denis’s pride as the St.
John’s marchers passed the stand,” said Rev. Carroll. “It was
wonderful to share in his happiness.”
A native of County Kerry, Ireland, Mr. Kelleher immigrated to the
United States in 1958. Like millions of Irish immigrants, he
settled in New York City, where he attended St. John’s by night
while working as a “runner” at Merrill Lynch by day.
Mr. Kelleher earned his bachelor’s degree in 1963 and began his
rise through the corporate ranks. He held positions at Ruane
Cunniff & Co., Inc., and Discount Brokerage Corporation before
founding Wall Street Access in 1980. Today, in addition to serving
on St. John’s Board, Mr. Kelleher also Today, Mr. Kelleher also
serves on the boards of Independence Community Bank, The New
Ireland Fund, the American Historical Society, and the Economic
Advisory Board to the Prime Minister of Ireland, among others.
We invite you to share the excitement of St. John’s
participation in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade by viewing our Photo
Gallery.