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“Although we were asked not to rank the candidates, it was rather obvious that Linda Hanson was a high priority recommendation.” She possessed all of the qualities that the university needed. She has an education background, fund-raising experience, strong administrative skills, is an articulate speaker, and has the right presence and face to represent Hamline, Cady said.

Many of the people involved with the presidential search last year agreed that she had a strong relationship and collaboration with everyone at her previous university, including students, administration, faculty, and trustees; these were qualities the committee members were confident would carry through to Hamline, and it’s now evident that this is true. “I don’t think she was here two weeks before she disbanded
the cabinet and rearranged the top administrative lines of communication and reporting,” said Cady.

When asked about the current university “feeling,” Cady responded, “There has been a kind of ‘thaw’ of frozen relations in terms of wider communication and trying to build a greater sense of trust between units of the institution. Changing a culture is a hard thing to do, and I’m surprised as much has been done as has. I’m hopeful that more of it will happen and that things will be a great deal more transparent and accountable above board with shared decision-making and governance than there had been prior to the Hanson administration.”

Vice President of Academic Affairs and CLA Dean Garvin Davenport also had positive comments on Hanson’s first semester and appointment as president. In a recent address to the faculty, Dean Davenport said Hanson has “kept the lights of focus and purpose shining forward into that future that she firmly believes can be Hamline’s.”

In an interview with the Oracle, Dean Davenport talked about Dr. Hanson’s transition to Hamline.

“Every president comes in with a unique style. Dr. Hanson came in with a sense of excitement and a can-do attitude I think is going to serve Hamline well in years to come,” Davenport said.

“We needed a change; we needed someone that would do things differently on campus that people would give a chance to, not write off like previous president [Osnes],” said Anne Wetter, law student. Wetter was also previously an CLA student and the student representative on the presidential search committee. She expressed her high regards for President Hanson by saying that she was the one who really stood out from the other candidates. “The community is behind her,” said Wetter. One of the most outstanding attributes she said, is the aura she brings to the room with her. “People just have to smile in President Hanson’s presence.”

Wetter noted, however, that president emeritus Osnes did set Hanson up to be able to make the successful changes that she has accomplished. Nonetheless, the “policies that Larry [Osnes] has strictly said ‘no’ to in the past have been opened up,” she said. “She’s far more approachable.”

HUSC vice-president and senior John Mulé is looking forward to continuing the dialogues that have been taking place between President Hanson and HUSC.

“President Hanson has had a good start; hopefully her communication with HUSC will continue, and so far we have no reason to think that it won’t. This type of close dialogue would not have been possible with
Larry Osnes, [and] the mere fact that these dialogues are happening is a great start,” Mulé said.

Mulé said that there have been differences in opinion about whether or not students should be allowed on the Board of Trustees. Mulé thinks there should be representation, and in fact Mulé and Shanelle Evens, senior and HUSC President, ran with Board of Trustees representation as a crucial part of their platform.

“She really respects HUSC, although we have had disagreements on a student on the Board of Trustees. Future HUSC members will have to continue the dialogue. Ultimately, we understand that the Board of
Trustees is President Hanson’s boss, and coming into this new job, she can’t just demand to have students on the Board [of Trustees],” Mulé said. Hanson said that is an issue that will require a “thoughtful process over time.

“The university council, which has students on it, has raised the question with me, and we are in dialogue along with our trustees about insuring that there is open communication between students, administration and trustees. We will evolve from there,” President Hanson said.
Hanson speaks about her experiences

The Oracle sat down with President Hanson to see how her first semester went.

“When I reflect on this past fall, first I have to say I have had a lot of fun. I’ve just had a ball showing up to all kinds of things that students have been involved in,” Hanson said.

Hanson says she attends events as much as possible because it helps her better understand the Hamline community’s strengths and the aspects that need to be improved. She said that the most interesting part of her first six months has been meeting all the students. Hanson recently attended national competition with the cross country team. She also recently hosted all of the international students at her home. Hanson has been spotted at the theater department’s last play and at multiple sporting events.

Hanson said one thing she wants to work on improving the campus’ atmosphere.

“We need to have more joy on campus. Students have to be so serious about their work; having opportunities, like the late night breakfast next week, are events that really make a difference,” Hanson said. She added that one issue that needs to be examined is the assumptions people often make about each other; events such as the recent Rosa Parks celebration can help bring the community closer together.

University presidents have to always look at the long view, Hanson explained. This drive toward the future is manifested in Hanson’s plan for next semester to put together a strategic plan for Hamline’s future with the Board of Trustees. Hanson said that students will have a say in the process. This plan would include everything from complaints about buildings to re-evaluating majors, with the overall goal of seeing how to best benefit the Hamline community.

“If I have any kind of mantra, [it’s] that it is important to understand the past but I don’t want to stay in the past. Let’s pick it up from here and move it forward,” Hanson said.