The Cristo Rey Dallas Board of Directors have announced they have selected retired U.S. Navy Admiral Patrick M. Walsh, Ph.D. as president.
Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep is a Catholic high school located in the Pleasant Grove area of Southeast Dallas. The school educates students with limited economic resources, regardless of faith.
Dr. Walsh, a 34-year veteran of the United States Navy, earned his bachelor’s degree at the U.S. Naval Academy, followed by a Master of Arts in criminal justice from Chapman University, a Master of Arts in law and diplomacy, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Tufts University.
The new president is a Dallas prep school graduate himself. He was the second student in the history of Jesuit College Preparatory School to receive both the Distinguished Graduate and Distinguished Alumnus awards.
Now, as head of Cristo Rey, Walsh will lead the school through its next phase of development and community engagement.
“Pat has been involved with Cristo Rey Dallas since its founding, and we are thrilled to welcome him back to campus as president,” said Scott Moore, board chair for Cristo Rey. “His impressive background, leadership experiences, and worldly knowledge will add a tremendous amount of value to the school’s leadership team and to the entire student body.”
According to Businesswire, Walsh was named 2012’s Leader of the Year by America’s Future Series. For his military service, he has was awarded the Sun and Star Legacy, International Friendship, and Eagle on the World awards, and the Tong-il Medal and the Order of the Rising Sun, first class.
After a career in the military, the decorated veteran served as president of Strategic Programs with Academic Partnerships LLC, senior vice president and general manager at iSIGHT Partners, and vice president of The Boeing Company.
Recently, Walsh co-founded The First Watch Group, which offers transformation, turnaround, business development, due diligence, and coaching services. He was also a consultant for the Aerospace & Defense industry, earning him the Aerospace Leadership Award from Dallas’ Commemorative Air Force in October 2021.
“With the opportunity to come full circle and return to Cristo Rey Dallas after being involved in its founding, I’m grateful to pursue my deep-rooted passion for education and help shape our next generation of leaders,” Walsh said of his new role.
Admiral Walsh will start his new role as president at Cristo Rey Dallas on April 15.
