Q: Tamara, what is your background before coming to Hamline?

A: I spent my undergraduate years at the University of Toronto, and education was different there. Universities saw themselves as “gatekeepers.” Classes at the University of Toronto were small as only two baccalaureate degrees were offered. After Toronto, I wanted to see more of the world so I decided to come to the United States where I felt I had more options. It was at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign that I received my doctoral degree.

Q: What aspects of Hamline made you decide to stay for 33 years?

A: I liked Hamline the day I stepped foot here to interview for a position. I felt drawn to the students and faculty who were very sincere about providing the best education possible in a cost-effective way. At Hamline, I feel as though I can really relate to the students and understand the things they go through as a student.

Q: What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?

A: My greatest accomplishment is being able to work with students in the first-year seminar. Within the first-year seminar, I feel as though I get the chance to be a friend and mentor to the new students. The new students have an exciting will to learn and so it is rewarding to help them expand their minds in their first year.

Q: Do you have any current projects that you are working on?

A: I am currently working on a project that would enable me to teach a course on African literature that is in French.

Q: What is your favorite time on campus?

A: I like the beginning and the end, fall and spring. It’s exciting to see all the new students on campus in the fall. Winter gets very long, and I enjoy seeing all the people outdoors when the weather warms up again in the spring. The campus seems to come alive with people sitting, walking, and playing sports outside.

Q: Do you have any hobbies outside of Hamline?

A: Ceramic art. I like to look at it, and collect it. I’ve really gotten into the sculpture aspects and enjoy browsing the Internet at online galleries.

Q: What advice do you have to newer faculty?

A: I don’t have any advice for them, because I take advice from them! I find it very gratifying to see young faculty as they bring in new ideas to share within the university.

Q: What, if anything, is something you don’t like about Hamline?

A: I don’t like worrying about staying within my budget and watching what I spend. A year ago if you would have asked me this question I would have said the Learning Center. I really like it now as they have refurbished everything. It’s important to have a welcoming building for students to have the opportunity to stay and sit if they need to.

Q: What fashion trends have you seen at Hamline over the years?

A: I guess I haven’t noticed any large changes over the years. The one trend that really sticks out in my mind is body piercing. I remember the first time one of my students opened their mouth and they had a metal stud in their tongue. I asked them, “Didn’t that hurt?!”