Linda’s legacy: A timeline of her Hamline presidency

Became president July 2005

Linda Hanson became the 19th president of Hamline University after four years as president of the College of Santa Fe.

Received a 42% Pay Raise in the ‘06-’07 Fiscal Year Amidst Financial Concerns

According to BizJournals.com, Hanson is the 2nd-highest paid private college president in the state of Minnesota, receiving a salary higher than that of the President of the United States. Her ‘06-’07 pay raise came at a particularly tumultuous time in university budget talks, but Hanson continued to raise money for the university from other sources, increasing Hamline’s overall revenue.

Helped to launch an MBA program and moved Hamline into an additional Minneapolis space in 2008

While enrollment is currently faltering, Hamline’s School of Business has a large presence on campus, which Hanson oversaw. She also managed Hamline’s move into a Minneapolis space for its graduate programs, including the business school.

Weathered Tom Emmer political controversy in 2011

Tom Emmer, a former Republican gubernatorial candidate, accused Hamline University in an open letter to President Hanson of liberal bias, claiming that an agreement for his hiring had been reached but was later rescinded due to faculty opposition to his views on gay marriage. The conflict raised the ire of many right-wing publications, who felt that Emmer’s anti-gay views should not have prevented him from being hired to teach a business class.

Dedicated the Anderson Center in Oct. 2012

Oct. 5 was declared Hamline University Anderson Center Day by Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, and the opening of the new building was widely celebrated by students, faculty and staff alike. In an interview, Hanson declared the Anderson Center to be the “heart of campus.”

Controversy over Marriage Amendment neutrality in Nov. 2012

Students and faculty alike were confused and angry about Hamline’s neutral stance during hot debates over 2012’s proposed marriage amendment, which would have created a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Hanson continued to hold a neutral stance on the issue through the election.

An MIAC-winning hockey team in March 2015

While Hamline’s Men’s Hockey Team eventually fell to be ranked 6th in its DIII region, there was initial cause for celebration as the team had one of its best seasons ever, winning the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title and posing with a thrilled president Hanson in March of this year.

Hamline and William Mitchell Law Schools announce five-year merger plan

With law school enrollment at an all time low in the United States, Hamline University and William Mitchell College of Law announced a merger that will move Hamline’s law school to William Mitchell’s St. Paul campus.