Patrick Murphy ’88
The College of Engineering and Computer Science is excited to announce that Patrick Murphy ’88 will be the keynote speaker at the College’s 2023 convocation held in the Lally Athletics Complex at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 13.
Murphy is founder and CEO of Celersys Technologies, an aerospace technology consultancy delivering technology solutions and services to commercial clients, the Department of Defense and civilian agencies. Prior to Celersys Technologies, Murphy was the president and chief executive officer for Axient LLC, a high-end technology and engineering firm with over 2,000 employees. Prior to that position, Murphy served as Millennium Engineering and Integration’s chief executive officer and led the company through multiple years of substantial growth, culminating in a strategic sale of the company in 2021 to help form Axient.
In 2014, Murphy was awarded the Greater Washington GovCon Award for Executive of the Year for his leadership in industry-leading growth and corporate transformation. He served as the chief operating officer, vice president for Corporate Operations and Analysis, vice president for Space Systems, and director for Engineering at Millennium spanning over 20 years and helping grow that business to 900 employees nationwide. He served as the chief engineer for the Missile Defense Agency’s Advanced Technology Program Executive Office portfolio providing technical leadership for all new missile defense technologies and concepts. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Syracuse University and a Master of Business Administration from The George Washington University.
“Graduating from Syracuse University nearly 35 years ago, I never envisioned one day returning to where it all started to give a commencement address. I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to share my views, experiences and lessons, and to celebrate with the College of Engineering and Computer Science class of 2023,” says Murphy. “The technical challenges of today are more complex and demanding than ever before. But the engineers and scientists graduating in the Class of 2023 are well-equipped to take these on and make a significant, positive impact on our world. I am very excited to see what heights they can reach.”
Murphy is a native upstate New Yorker and currently resides in Arlington, VA with his wife Linda and dog, Maisie. He bleeds Orange with two of his children graduating from Syracuse University and currently serves on the College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean’s Leadership Council and the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department’s Advisory Board. He is lifelong learner and self-proclaimed geek with hobbies in pinball machine restoration, microprocessor programming, electrical device development, golfing and boating.
