Hamline University

Hamline University is Minnesota’s first university. Named in honor of Leonidas Lent Hamline, a Methodist bishop who donated the funds, Hamline's first home was in the town of Red Wing in what was then the Territory of Minnesota. The first classes were held on the second floor of the village general store. Classes were in the second term when students moved into the Red Wing building in January 1856. Seventy-three students enrolled at Hamline in the opening year. Hamline graduated its first class in 1859: two sisters, Elizabeth A. Sorin and Emily R. Sorin, who were not only Hamline’s first graduates, but also the first graduates of any college or university in Minnesota. President Fayneese Miller joined Hamline in July 2015 and was officially installed as the university's 20th president in October of that year. At her historic installation ceremony she was welcomed by local, state, and national politicians; esteemed members of the national higher education community; and the entire Hamline community. Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton declared “Hamline University President Dr. Fayneese Miller Day” and Senator Amy Klobuchar remarked, "Dr. Miller’s deep dedication to giving Pipers everything they need to succeed in college, and even more importantly in life, is a great fit for this university.” In her installation address "Preparing Leaders for Tomorrow," Dr. Miller outlined her emerging vision for Hamline. You can see video of those remarks and the other keynote speakers on Hamline's website. Dr. Miller brings 30 years of academic and higher education leadership experience to her role at Hamline and has big plans for capitalizing on the university's rich history, values, and vision while embracing new trends in higher education. You can hear some of her many media interviews about Hamline and higher education on the president's website.