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 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 St. Paul in 1880. Hamline has a total enrollment of approximately 4,000 students, including its College of Liberal Arts, School of Law, and Graduate Studies programs, and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
A student newspaper called ''The Oracle'' is published by the university weekly.
July 2005 marked the arrival of Linda N. Hanson, the University's first female President.

Contents

History

Academics

School of Law

Athletics

External links

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 arts center, and a new science center (Drew Hall of Science). All of these projects were completed in the mid 1960s.

★ In 2004, Hamline celebrated its 150th anniversary with many events throughout the year. The celebration began with an opening ceremony on March 1, 2004. The event was complete with speeches from the deans and president, a video looking back on the history of Hamline and a fireworks display. The event itself was held in front of Old Main, with the fireworks being shot out behind the under-construction Klas Center. Throughout the year, every department in the university held a public event related to the 150-year anniversary. The slogan for the event was "Looking back. Thinking forward."

Academics

School of Law

Hamline University School of Law is a private law school located in St. Paul, Minnesota, offering full- and part-time legal education in pursuit of the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, as well as the Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) for international lawyers.
It was founded in 1972 as the Midwestern School of Law by a group of legal professionals. The school was then absorbed by Hamline University as its own School of Law, making Hamline one of the few smaller universities to support a full law school. The school publishes three law journals: The Hamline Law Review (in the top 25% of the Most Cited Law Reviews[1]), the Hamline Journal of Public Law and Policy, and the Journal of Law and Religion.
The School of Law is well-recognized by its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program, which is ranked third among its class across the United States (US News and World Report''). The program, founded in 1991, offers courses in both domestic and international dispute resolution. It is enhanced by agreements with international institutions that bring international students to Hamline University and send U.S. students overseas.

Athletics

Hamline University calls itself the "birthplace of intercollegiate basketball." In 1893 then-Hamline Athletic Director Ray Kaighn (who had played on James Naismith's very first basketball team) brought the sport to the university, when it was barely a year old. A women's program was organized two years later. On February 9, 1895 Hamline hosted the first intercollegiate basketball game in history when the "Minnesota State School of Agriculture" (now known as the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota) defeated Hamline by a score of 9-3. The game was played using Naismith's original "Peach Basket" rules in the basement of the school's old science building (long since demolished), and featured nine players to each side.
Hamline was once known for the strength of its basketball program, with the university considered to be a national power in the sport from the 1930s to the 1950s. Hamline produced a number of NBA players during this time (including Hall of Famer Vern Mikkelsen), and then-Head Coach Joe Hutton, Sr. (1931-65) was once even offered -- and turned down -- a chance to coach the Minneapolis Lakers.

★ 1,154 total victories ranks Hamline as the 23rd winningest team in NCAA Division III history (as of the 2004-05 season)

★ NAIA National Champions: 1942, 1949 and 1951

★ NAIA runner ups: 1953

★ NCAA Division III Semifinalist: 1977 (Finished in fourth place)

★ NCAA Division III Quarterfinalist: 1975

★ NCAA Division III All-Tournament Selection: Phil Smyczek, 1977

★ NCAA Division III Academic All-Americans: Paul Westling, 1986; John Banovetz, 1989

★ University is a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC).
Hamline has had recent success with its cross country team. In 2005, it won the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and then went on to a seventh place finish at the NCAA Division III national cross country meet. It was Hamline athletics' first MIAC championship title since the 1980s although it has had a number of second place finishes in recent years (including men's indoor track - 2006, men's cross country - 2006 and men's soccer - 2006).
Hamline has also had much success with its gymnastics program, earning an NCGA Championship in 2000. The subsequent years have included many trips back to the national stage, with the Pipers most recently finishing fifth in the 2007 national meet.
Hamline has an extended history of student-athletes, peaking during the years 2001-2005 with Mike Walsh; a two-sport, All-Academic All-American.

External links

★ Official site

★ In 2005, artist John C. Ralston painted the 1925 senior class of Hamline University