| | Published January 20, 2021
| Saint Mary's College names its 30th president
| | | By Vera Kochan |  | | Incoming SMC president Richard G. Plumb, PhD Photo provided |
Richard G. Plumb, PhD, will take the reigns as the 30th president of Saint Mary's College beginning July 1. Plumb will replace President James Donahue who will retire at the end of the 2020-21 school year following eight years at the helm.
Plumb comes to SMC after a 30-year career holding senior leadership positions at Binghamton University in New York, University of Kansas, Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, and University of St. Thomas in Minnesota where he has been since 2014.
After a nationwide search involving SMC trustees, Christian Brothers, faculty, staff and alumni, Plumb was unanimously appointed by the college's board of trustees. "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 Board of Trustees Chairperson Kevin Nagle. "We are excited to have him join the Saint Mary's community."
Plumb joins SMC with experience in capital planning, shared governance, curriculum development, financial management, and strategic planning. "Richard not only understands the issues facing higher education today, he demonstrated to us how a university can succeed in today's environment," explained SMC Trustee/Search Committee Co-Chair Kim Vogel. "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."
"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," stated Plumb. "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." |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA