Hames Alumni Awards

Kelly Rowe, born and raised in Saint Paul, graduated from Saint Thomas Academy in 1979. Following his graduation from STA, Kelly went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a Juris Doctorate from Creighton University.

He currently practices law in Saint Paul with the firm of Rowe & Kelly, PLLC, with Stephen Kelly, ‘86. His practice focuses on business law, non-profits, estate planning, real estate, and probate law; and serves as general counsel to numerous businesses throughout Minnesota. Kelly has been a panel member of arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association, was also a member of the Ramsey County Guardianship/Conservatorship Attorney Panel; and, served in the Office of Conciliation for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Kelly has dedicated his life to the service of his family, community, the church, promotion of education, and Saint Thomas Academy. His volunteer work includes service on the Board of Directors of, and as President for, the Catholic Defense League of Minnesota. He helped change the child abandonment laws by getting the Safe Place for Newborns law passed and helped found Trinity Sober Homes, a Catholic based transitional sober housing for men. Kelly often commits his time as a community leader, volunteer, and board member of many diverse organizations and non-profits in the Twin Cities. He and his wife, Jean, are long-time parishioners of the Cathedral of Saint Paul, where he has served on several committees.

Kelly has also served on the Saint Thomas Academy Alumni Association Board of Directors since 2002 and was President from 2008 to 2009. He was a member of the STA Fathers’ Club from 2012 to 2018 and was President in 2017-18. He was a member of the Saint Thomas Academy Board of Trustees from 2013 to 2022 and was Chairman of the Board from 2017 to 2019. It is generally believed that Kelly is the only man to be President of the Fathers’ Club, Alumni Association, and Chairman of the Board at STA.

His father, Dr. Clarence J. “Gus” Rowe, graduated from the Academy in 1934 and was the Hames Honors Award Recipient in 1976. His brother, Padraic (“Ric”) is a 1971 graduate of STA as is his brother, Rory, who graduated in 1972. Kelly and his wife, Jean, live in Saint Paul and have a son, John Patrick “Jack”, who graduated from the Academy in 2018.