Saint Mary’s College Names New President

LAMORINDA, CA — Saint Mary’s College in Moraga has selected a new president to replace retiring President James Donahue.

Richard G. Plumb, the executive vice president, and provost at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., will take over as president starting on July 1.

“Richard’s passion for Saint Mary’s and Catholic higher education, along with his considerable accomplishments, made him the standout candidate in a competitive national pool of applicants,” said Kevin Nagle, Saint Mary’s chair of the Board of Trustees. “We are excited to have him join the Saint Mary's community.”

In addition to St. Thomas, Plumb has held senior leadership positions at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles; University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan.; and Binghamton University in Binghamton, NY.

According to a release from St. Mary's, Plumb's critical work on shared governance, strategic planning, curriculum development, financial management, fundraising, capital planning, and more has resulted in the acquisition of millions of dollars; the growth and expansion of academic programs; and increased support for students in the form of more scholarships, financial aid, and program support.

“Richard not only understands the issues facing higher education today, he demonstrated to us how a university can succeed in today’s environment,” said Kim Vogel, Saint Mary’s trustee. “Richard's considerable experience in fundraising, program development, and diversity initiatives made it clear that his unifying vision can lead Saint Mary’s to the next level.”

Plumb has a special affinity for first-generation college students and understands their unique needs, as he is also the first in his family to graduate from college. He earned his Ph.D., MS, and BS in electrical engineering, all from Syracuse University. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed journal and conference articles.

“Saint Mary’s College holds a distinctive and highly admired place in the landscape of higher education, and I am deeply honored to be appointed as the College’s next president,” said Plumb. “I have a profound respect for the rich legacy of the College, its Lasallian approach to education, and its commitment to providing students with a transformative and life-changing intellectual and spiritual experience. I look forward to working collaboratively with the talented leadership at Saint Mary’s to make the college an international leader in Catholic liberal arts education.”

Saint Mary’s conducted an extensive year-long national search guided by a Presidential Search Committee composed of trustees, faculty, staff, Christian Brothers, and alumni, Plumb was appointed upon the unanimous recommendation of the Saint Mary’s College Board of Trustees.