Murphy named grand marshal of St. Patrick’s Parade
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) President Cornelius B. Murphy Jr. has been named grand marshal of the 2007 Syracuse St. Patrick’s Parade.
Murphy, who was a longtime Marcellus resident, called the appointment “the most fun and personal honor” of his long career.
Accompanied by his wife, Joanne, and several members of his family, Murphy accepted the honor during the traditional parade news conference at Kitty Hoynes restaurant in downtown Syracuse.
“Syracuse is an extraordinary place to live,” Murphy said. “I’m uplifted by this honor and I’m even more committed to doing what I can do to make this a better place.”
The Murphy family lived in Marcellus for many years while Neil Murphy worked for O’Brien & Gere. Neil and Joanne Murphy moved to Syracuse when he took over at ESF.
Murphy called his family “about as Irish as you could ever hope for.”
Murphy’s ancestors include Sean Treacy, who was involved in the Tipperary Volunteers’ efforts to establish a free Ireland in the years that followed the Easter Rising of 1916. The Murphys have four children and five grandchildren.
Robert C. Ganley, a former colleague of Murphy’s at O’Brien & Gere, called Murphy “the most well-rounded individual that you could find,” citing his accomplishments in the areas of education, business, and community, along with his close ties to his family.
Murphy joined O’Brien & Gere in 1970, after earning his doctorate at Syracuse
University. He had a 30-year career there and helped transform the company from a
regional engineering firm into a multifaceted international corporation.
He was named president of ESF in 2000. He has led ESF through expansions of its academic offerings and community service projects, extended the college’s partnerships with the business community, and expanded the college’s outreach program that enhances science education in more than 20 high schools throughout upstate New York.
The parade steps off at noon on Saturday, March 17, in downtown Syracuse.
