Hamline University

Hamline University was founded in 1854 in Red Wing, Minnesota, USA, as the first institution of higher education in the state. The University of Minnesota is disputably older (having been chartered in 1851) although it did not begin enrolling students until 1857. Hamline is thought of as one of the most elite institutions in Minnesota. Hamline is also distinct for being founded as a coeducational institution, a rarity in nineteenth century America. Its first graduates were, in fact, women - the Sorin sisters. They have since been honored with a building named for them, Sorin Hall, which houses the cafeteria and dorms.

The college at Red Wing was closed in 1869 and reopened at its current location in the Midway district of Saint Paul in 1880. Hamline has a total enrollment of approximately 4,000 students, including its College of Liberal Arts, the Hamline University School of Law, and Graduate Studies programs. The university is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

A student newspaper called The Oracle is published weekly.

The liberal arts college has The Pied Piper of Hamelin as its mascot, due to the similarity of names (Hamline/Hamelin).

History

• In 1854, Hamline University was founded and named after Methodist Bishop Leonidas Lent Hamline, who provided US$25,000 of his own money to launch the school. The university opened in Red Wing, MN, with the premise that the school would eventually move to Saint Paul. A statue of the bishop, sculpted by the late Professor of Art Michael Price, stands on campus.
• In 1869, the university shut down its operations after enrollment dropped drastically due to the Civil War. The first building at the Red Wing site was torn down in 1872.
• A new building opened in 1880 in Saint Paul's Midway neighborhood housing 113 students. The building burned in 1883, and the following year, a new building was developed: Old Main, Hamline's oldest remaining building.
• In 1917, Hamline actively responded to the call of World War I by incorporating an Army Training Corps at the university. More buildings developed after WWI. By 1928, Hamline consisted of Old Main (classrooms and administration), Manor House (women's residence hall), a Methodist Church, and Goheen Hall (men's residence hall).
• Hamline faced tough challenges during the U.S. economic depression of the early 1930s. After World War II, Hamline's choir and theater department became a musical reference in Minnesota. The choir would eventually become nationally renowned, and would travel overseas.
• By 1950, enrollment surpassed 1000 students, and the board of directors decided on further development. New developments included two new residential halls (Sorin and Drew halls), a cultural center (Bush Student Center), a new carpentry center (VanHemert Hall) a new arts center, and a new science center (Drew Hall of Science). All of these projects were completed in the mid 1960s.
• In 1976, the Midwestern School of Law - that was founded in 1972 - merged with Hamline University.
• In 2004, Hamline celebrated its 150th anniversary. Throughout the year, every department held a public event related to the anniversary. The slogan for the event was "Looking back. Thinking forward."
• July 2005 marked the arrival of Linda N. Hanson, the university's first female president.
• In April 2008, Hamline University announced the launch of its School of Business.

Hamline University was founded in 1854 in Red Wing, Minnesota, USA, as the first institution of higher education in the state. The University of Minnesota is disputably older (having been chartered in 1851) although it did not begin enrolling students until 1857. Hamline is thought of as one of the most elite institutions in Minnesota. Hamline is also distinct for being founded as a coeducational institution, a rarity in nineteenth century America. Its first graduates were, in fact, women - the Sorin sisters. They have since been honored with a building named for them, Sorin Hall, which houses the cafeteria and dorms.