A CNR Alumna's Life in the Public Interest
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CNR ALUMNI To Educate, Protect and Serve A CNR Alumna’s Life in the Public Interest ou cover the After graduating from CNR, fire,” said Keegan enrolled in Columbia College of New University’s Master of Journalism “ Rochelle (CNR) program, where she would be alumna Pat thrown into many New York City Keegan ’73, neighborhoods on assignments, referring to a standing side-by-side with famed lesson she learned as a journalist city reporters such as WNBC-TV’s in theY first phase of her career. “No Gabe Pressman, acclaimed for matter the beat you’re assigned, his coverage of events including when news breaks and you’re the the assassinations of President one available, be prepared to jump Kennedy and Martin Luther King, at the story.” Jr., as well as the Beatles’ first trip This saying would ring true to the United States. throughout Keegan’s rewarding Following graduation from career, from local Westchester Columbia University, Keegan County journalist, to educator, to worked at a group of eight local her current position as United newspapers known as the Gannett In addition to her upbringing, States Congresswoman Nita Westchester Newspapers, rising Keegan’s experiences in and Lowey’s district director. The in the ranks to become education out of the classroom as a CNR honored responsibility, which she editor. After the birth of her two undergraduate student prepared has held for 26 years, is coming children, she worked as a freelance her for graduate school, as well as to an end in early January when writer, and taught undergraduate her work in journalism, education Congresswoman Lowey retires journalism at Pace University and government. The women’s from office. and graduate journalism at Iona college was led by then-President Some may say Keegan’s calling College. Recruited by then-State Sister Dorothy Ann Kelly, OSU who to public service was foreordained. Education Commissioner Tom would influence Keegan and her Her late father Joseph M. Keegan, Sobol, she next accepted the job classmates to realize their dreams. who served four terms in the New of director of communications Renowned for greatly expanding Jersey General Assembly and a for the New York State Education CNR’s policies and programs, single term in the New Jersey Department, where she worked for leading global innovations in higher Senate, would inspire her lifelong three years before receiving word education and paving a pathway for objective of advancing the greater from a friend about an opening in women in the field, Kelly was the good. Congresswoman Lowey’s office. first woman to head the National “Raised in a political family, I Without hesitation, as if Association of Independent would attend high-profile gatherings it was in her blood, Keegan Colleges and Universities. as a child, including my father’s seized the opportunity. Now, as “While it was a time when things swearing in and events hosted by Congresswoman Lowey’s district were not as open to women as the governor,” explained Keegan. director, Keegan serves New York’s they are now, she taught so many “I was 8-years-old when President 17th congressional district. With of us to ‘go in there and do it.’ She John F. Kennedy was elected, and I pleasure and enthusiasm, she instilled great confidence in us,” remember attending his inaugural has led constituent services said Keegan. parade fondly.” 40 | MAVERICK MAGAZINE Fall 2020 Photo by John Vecchiolla Photo by Class of 1973 45th Reunion, June 2018. Keegan is front row, far right. and community outreach for an joined by four generations of his thousands of constituents and expansive region that includes the proud family. She has organized developed strong relationships with Lower Hudson Valley, Central and roundtable discussions where dozens of community organizations,” Northwestern Westchester County college students informed the said Congresswoman Lowey of her and Rockland County. In her role, Congresswoman that her bill to esteemed colleague. she assists countless individuals raise the maximum award for federal With humility and sophistication, with the navigation of complex Pell Grants and distribute them Keegan has stood side-by-side economic and social issues related year-round enabled them to stay in with noted community leaders to federal agencies. college and earn their degrees. since grade school and has Among many standout moments, developed close relationships with Keegan cites one that involved a these individuals at the forefront 13-year-old girl awaiting emergency of organizations and industries heart surgery. The imported medical generating solutions to some of the device her surgeon needed was As one of the most complex social issues of our locked in a major delivery company time. “Many of them have become warehouse 1,000 miles away. Two longest-serving district personal friends and have made my federal agencies needed to sign off, directors in the country, work very rewarding,” said Keegan. on a weekend no less, before the Post-January, you will likely find package could be delivered to the she takes pride in Keegan at her beloved Jersey New York hospital. Keeping true to Shore family home catching up on her nature, Keegan intervened using mentoring and learning newspaper and magazine articles her reporting and research skills to from years past and devoting more impel the right people to deliver the from her counterparts. time to bond with her dear friends, device on time. including several CNR classmates. As one of the longest-serving You will also find her doing district directors in the country, what will always light her fire, one she takes pride in mentoring and “Pat Keegan has done an that will never dim – leveraging learning from her counterparts. incredible job as my District Director her valued relationships to serve She has most enjoyed watching the for the last 26 years. Under her the community and bring people Congresswoman present a Purple energetic and compassionate together, powerfully striving for the Heart to a World War II veteran leadership, my office has helped greater good. All photos taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic MAVERICK MAGAZINE Fall 2020 | 41.