My name is Joe Bakken and I am the Director of Mission Advancement at the St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center. I currently reside in Eagle Lake with my wife Lauren and our three kids - Brynlee (7), Braeden (4), and Barrett (1 year).

I grew up attending Loyola Catholic School and graduated in 2011 from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations. In the Spring of 2017, I completed a Masters in Pastoral Ministry from Saint John's University in Collegeville, MN.

I have been with the Newman Center for over 10 years, I started my tenure as the Director of Campus Ministry - serving beside multiple Newman Center Chaplains and FOCUS teams to build the incredible program we have today. I believe so strongly in what we are doing here and I believe that campus ministry is one of the most important missions in the Church. As the Director of Mission Advancement, I have been given the opportunity to represent the Newman Center and our incredible mission to those who are interested in joining our team and helping make what we do possible. If you are considering partnering with us financially and joining our mission, please contact me! I would love to meet you, hear your story and share the incredible impact that the Lord is making on this campus!

May God bless you!

c: 507-779-1010 
email:  [email protected]