The board of trustees of Saint Peter’s University has designated Joseph A. Panepinto, Esq. ’66, as trustee emeritus in recognition of his extraordinary lifetime of service and unwavering devotion to the University. The honor was formally presented to Panepinto at a reception held on Sept. 12.
Through his decades of service as a trustee, member of the Board of Regents and steadfast advisor, Panepinto has helped shape the University’s trajectory by offering invaluable guidance on real estate, campus planning, facilities, construction and fundraising. His influential leadership on both the Finance and Facilities committees has been central to the University’s campus expansion and infrastructure enhancements since the 1990s.
His enduring legacy is visible across campus, with the naming of Panepinto Hall, a six-story student residence that opened in 2022, and Panepinto Plaza, a central courtyard that serves as a gathering place for students, faculty, staff and visitors. In addition, his landmark $10 million gift to Saint Peter’s in 2018, the largest single philanthropic gift in the University’s history at that time, underscored his commitment to transformational growth.
“We are profoundly grateful to Joseph Panepinto for his visionary leadership, exceptional generosity and dedication to Saint Peter’s University,” said Board Chair Kenneth Moore, CFA ’91. “From campus planning to fundraising, his impact has been both tangible and lasting.”
Through this designation, the board celebrates not only his contributions but also the values he embodies that reflect the Jesuit ideals at the heart of Saint Peter’s mission.
Panepinto is a visionary in urban development, dedicated to building inspired communities that help cities thrive. Beginning with his first project in 1977, he has focused on the renaissance of his hometown, Jersey City, and has since developed vibrant urban centers around the world that integrate art, retail, education, restaurants and amenities. Originally an attorney, Panepinto served as Jersey City’s planning board attorney and later as legal counsel for the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency.
