Pat Newell '75: Honoring the Difference Cretin Made
November 22, 2024
Now the senior vice president of logistics at Motor Car Auto Carriers, Inc., Pat Newell ’75 credits Cretin with fostering the work ethic and character that’s guided his career.
“Cretin was a key differentiator in my life in many ways,” he said. “It set the stage for discipline, structure, high standards, and friendships.”
For Newell, JROTC was particularly formative.
“I really remember the impact of the curriculum, military history, the different formations we would do in the afternoons, practicing for the annual Twilight parades, and preparing to be reviewed for certifications.
Inspired by his time with ROTC, Newell started looking for military service opportunities after high school. He enlisted in the Air Force, served for four years, and then came back to St. Paul, where he attended the University of St. Thomas through the GI Bill. There, Newell chose to study business, an interest that started at Cretin.
“I remember taking a class with Harvey McPeak, who taught accounting,” he said. “It really got my attention. Accounting isn’t my forte, but he was an excellent teacher and introduced me to the rest of the business curriculum. In college, I chose to keep developing that skill set.”
Newell started as a sales representative and worked his way up to senior management positions.
“I was able to help entrepreneurs fix their businesses from a sales and marketing standpoint,” he said. “That’s what’s energized me throughout my career.”
He launched his own transportation logistics company 15 years ago in partnership with a small business in Denver, where he currently lives. Although no longer in St. Paul, the relationships he started at Cretin remain essential.
“The class of ’75 developed a strong camaraderie over our four years that allowed for lifelong friendships,” he said. “I even met my wife Marianne through a classmate.”
He also went to Cretin with his brother Kevin ’77 and several cousins, who followed in the footsteps of his father, class of ’46, and other uncles.
“My uncle Ken Markwardt ’45 was the epitome of a personal and professional role model in the way he shared his time, treasure and talent with everyone. I had the good fortune of having him as an uncle, but he made a difference in the community for everyone,” said Newell. “It’s been neat seeing my cousins throughout the years at family get-togethers and having Cretin as one of the many common bonds that we share.”
While Newell's son went to high school in Colorado, he graduated from the University of St. Thomas and was able to participate in the community through an internship with Hugh Cullen ’77, who had a brother in Newell’s class.
“The network's invaluable,” Newell said. “It’s a distinctive advantage that Cretin provides nationwide– the support of its alumni. For my son, the internship was an extremely valuable, practical experience.”
He encourages current CDH students to get comfortable reaching out.
“Ask for help, personal and professional– it’s a confidence builder,” Newell said. “In general, people want to help other people. The quicker you realize that, the quicker you’re going to learn to use CDH as the basecamp for climbing your mountain.”
Understanding the value that a CDH education holds, Newell and his wife are dedicated to ensuring its availability for as many students as possible.
“Donating to CDH is a platform that’s allowed us to say thank you and help us make a difference, because Cretin made a difference in my life,” he said “Family circumstances are going to vary student to student at CDH. We’re just trying to minimize the potential financial barriers they might face.”
He acknowledges that it's a community effort and encourages others to help.
“We’re just one of many donor families,” he said. “We hope our example will resonate and help us collectively make a bigger difference for the young adults at CDH.”
Your gift to CDH impacts each student, by allowing us to continue our commitment to vital tuition assistance and merit scholarships for our students and upgrade campus areas that impact our students' experience every day but are nearing the end of their functional life through the Campaign for Raider Excellence.