New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan Will Deliver Commencement Address to Centenary University Class of 2025 and Receive Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree

A frequent guest speaker at Centenary, Col. Callahan’s message will emphasize the importance of integrity, discipline, and hard work in achieving career and life success. 

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, Feb. 13, 2025—New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan will deliver the address at the 150th commencement of Centenary University on Saturday, May 10, University President Dale Caldwell, Ed.D., announced today. A member of the governor’s cabinet, Col. Callahan is the 14^th colonel of the state’s leading law enforcement agency and was appointed to his current post in 2017. The University will present Col. Callahan with a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, to recognize his many contributions to the state and its residents.

“Col. Callahan is one of New Jersey’s most influential voices, with a message emphasizing that integrity, discipline, and hard work form the foundation for life success,” said Dr. Caldwell. “That message is relevant for every member of the Class of 2025, no matter the career path they intend to follow. These are the qualities that define true leaders and make Centenary graduates unbeatable in the job market.”

A familiar face at Centenary, Col. Callahan visits campus annually to address students in a course called Careers in Criminal Justice taught by Douglas Compton, Ed.D., assistant professor of criminal justice. Dr. Compton invites a cadre of criminal justice professionals to discuss current issues in law enforcement and job opportunities in the field. Inspired by Col. Callahan’s presentations, four recent Centenary alumni were among the 124 graduates of the 166^th State Police Class last summer.

            A native of Budd Lake, NJ, Col. Callahan served as the New Jersey State Police recovery bureau chief in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy and worked with state and federal partners to develop and implement long-term recovery effort strategies. Col. Callahan also served as the commanding officer of the Emergency Management Section and assistant state director of the Office of Emergency Management. He was the chairman of the Command and Control Subcommittee of the Emergency Management Section when New Jersey hosted Super Bowl XLVIII, working to develop and implement all operations undertaken by the Public Safety Compound.

Before assuming his current role, Col. Callahan served as the department’s deputy superintendent of operations, supervising and directing the operational activities of the 1,800 enlisted members assigned to Field Operations, as well as the operational duties and responsibilities of the Traffic and Public Safety Office, Victims Services Unit, Fatal Accident Investigation Unit, Highway Traffic Safety Unit, and Criminal Investigations Offices within Field Operations.

A resident of Warren County, Col. Callahan earned his Bachelor of Arts from Villanova University and a Master of Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is the son of retired State Police Major Mick Callahan, who served as division staff section commanding officer under then-Superintendent Col. Clinton Pagano. 

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY

Centenary University offers extraordinary learning opportunities that empower students to develop intellectually, emotionally, and interculturally—keys to career and personal success. Under the leadership of President Dale Caldwell, Ed.D., the University aspires to advance its reputation as a world class institution offering innovative programs, including the world’s first Master of Arts in Happiness Studies, to lift the future for our students and local communities.