Joe Plante ’86
Since 1987, I have had the privilege to be a part of the University Advancement team at the University of St. Thomas. I began my service with the Alumni Association where, for seven years, I facilitated alumni programs in the Twin Cities and around the country. In 1995, I moved into the Development Office and began a long career in Major Gifts, eventually supporting/leading all frontline fundraising teams. I currently serve as Associate Vice President of Principal and Leadership Gifts where I have the privilege of partnering with our institutional leadership and UA colleagues in supporting and advancing some of the most transformative and impactful relationships one can imagine. It is such a joy and gift to be in relationship with such generous and kind benefactors who truly believe in opening doors of opportunity for others and investing in our students’ futures.
As a proud alumnus with a 38+ year career at St. Thomas, I enjoy visiting with our alumni, parents, friends, and students, recalling the wonderful people and experiences that have defined St. Thomas, and inviting them to lean-in as together we build the St. Thomas story. I enjoy assisting our generous benefactors to find those philanthropic opportunities that are most meaningful to them: those that deeply reflect their values, provide a lasting legacy of impact, and which wonderfully support our critical institutional needs and priorities in service to our students and mission. Together with my professional colleagues, we are able to assist our benefactors with a variety of gifting vehicles, from outright gifts/securities, to complex real estate, business and estate arrangements, life-income and other charitable planned/deferred gift options.
I’m an avid gardener, and together with my spouse enjoy international travel; classical, choral and pipe organ music; train travel, historic architecture, bicycling, camping and spending time with my large immediate family. I am active with the Basilica of St. Mary, the Minnesota State Historical Society, and the German American Institute in St. Paul, and am past president of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society. In college, my activities included: concert band, liturgical choir, intramurals, Campus Ministry, and serving as a youth retreat facilitator.
I graduated from the University of St. Thomas with degrees in finance and theology in 1986 and graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a master’s degree in communications.