Chancellor to lead St. Patrick’s Day celebration

Pam Shockley-Zalabak

UCCS Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak will soon join the ranks of mayors, city council members, lieutenant governors and football coaches by serving as grand marshal of the 2014 Colorado Springs St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The parade is scheduled for noon March 15 in downtown Colorado Springs. The parade route begins at Tejon and St. Vrain streets and will continue south on Tejon Street to Vermijo. A “5K on St. Patrick’s Day” race is planned for 10 a.m. at Acacia Park followed by a “wee leprechaun” fun run at 11 a.m. For more information, visit http://csstpats.com/participate.html

“This is an honor for the campus,” Shockley-Zalabak said. “I’m looking forward to being part of the festivities.”

Shockley-Zalabak joins a long line of Colorado Springs leaders selected by the Colorado Springs Society of the Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick. Recent grand marshals included the last graduating class from Wasson High School (2013), U.S. Air Force Academy Football Coach Troy Calhoon (2012), Colorado Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia (2011), Community Leader and former City Council Member Mary Ellen McNally (2010) and former Colorado Springs Mayor Mary Lou Makepeace (2003) as well as local business leaders.

The grand marshal is a largely ceremonial position, however Shockley-Zalabak was guest of honor at a March 7 dinner of the Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick. She will lead the parade in a 1975 Pontiac convertible as the first in the procession of horses, fire trucks, marching bands and revelers that is expected to draw 30,000 people to downtown.