From BSOS to the White House: Steve Kerrigan

On a mid-September day in 1992, Al Gore came to the University of Maryland to campaign for his vice presidency. In the large crowd that greeted him on Chapel Field stood then-senior Criminology & Criminal Justice major Steve Kerrigan, B.A. ’93. At that moment, Mr. Kerrigan could not have imagined that 20 years later, he would work on President Barack Obama’s campaign and stand nearby as he took the oath of office. Mr. Kerrigan also could not have realized the impact he would have on the University as a prominent graduate and trusted advisor, receiving the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences’ Alumnus of the Year Award in 2013. 

Mr. Kerrigan has been a leader in Massachusetts government and as a philanthropist supporting numerous charities for nearly two decades. He has served as an appointed and elected leader in his hometown of Lancaster, as a loyal and spirited public servant to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Attorney General Tom Reilly, and also has served in senior roles for President Obama.

Mr. Kerrigan was most recently a co-chair of the Presidential Inaugural Committee and previously was CEO for the 2012 Democratic National Convention Committee. He now serves as president of the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund, a private nonprofit dedicated to providing support, programs and services to the families of military personnel from Massachusetts who have fallen in service to the United States since September 11, 2001.

But before he became a respected and highly visible political leader, Mr. Kerrigan became a Terp.

“I chose Maryland because I wanted to be close to Washington, and the University taught me more about politics and helped foster the passion I have for public service and politics,” Mr. Kerrigan said.

In only his first week on campus, Mr. Kerrigan met someone that had interned on the Hill, who urged him to pursue an internship in Sen. Kennedy’s office. Mr. Kerrigan went to D.C. for an interview, and by the time he got back to his dorm room, he had a message telling him he got the job. Just three days before his 18th birthday, he started on his 14-year journey with Sen. Kennedy.

“One of the proudest parts of my career was working for Senator Ted Kennedy,” Mr. Kerrigan said. “He taught me what public service was about and how to commit yourself to your community.”

Mr. Kerrigan has taken these lessons with him through his political journey. Not only does Mr. Kerrigan commit himself to his home state, but also to the University of Maryland. As the recipient of this year’s BSOS Alumnus of the Year Award, Mr. Kerrigan explains that his “pay-it-forward” mentality is what keeps him involved with the University of Maryland.

“Maryland was good to me, and I like to be good to Maryland,” Mr. Kerrigan said.

This commitment to giving back plays a big role in Mr. Kerrigan’s current campaign for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts. His goal is to work hard and give back to the Commonwealth that gave him so much.

When asked what advice he would give to current Terps, Mr. Kerrigan responded, "Work hard. If you work hard, people will see that and reward that. My whole career has been about working hard and showing commitment to my bosses and supervisors, and that pays off because people see that.”

Published on Fri, Dec 20, 2013 - 9:40AM