My name is Joe Bakken, and I am the Director of Mission Advancement at the St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center. Currently, I reside in Saint Clair with my wife Lauren and our three kids: Brynlee, Braeden, and Barrett.
I attended 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 since January 2012, initially serving as the Director of Campus Ministry alongside multiple Newman Center Chaplains and FOCUS teams. I strongly believe in the importance of our work here and consider campus ministry one of the Church's most vital missions.
As the Director of Mission Advancement, I am blessed to represent the Newman Center and our remarkable mission to those interested in becoming our financial mission partners, enabling us to continue our work. If you are considering joining our mission financially, 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!