The new president of Hamline University on Tuesday exhorted first-year and transfer students to aim for lives of leadership, scholarship and service – and gave them concrete examples of how to work toward those goals.
President Mayme K. Hostetter, who assumed her role on July 1, welcomed students, faculty, staff and other dignitaries at the 2025 convocation and matriculation ceremony at Klas Field. She is the 22nd president of the university.
Set manageable goals
In the area of leadership, President Hostetter encouraged students to make at least two new friends – one who shares many important aspects of their identity and one who shares very few. That could mean people with different political views, upbringings, hometowns and passions.
There are more than 600 first-year and transfer students this term, with 52% identifying as students of color and 50% being the first in their families to attend college. They hail from 25 states.
“Your crew can and should be far bigger and more diverse than you ever imagined before you walked into this place,” she said.
“Her calls to action were really interesting,” said Ian Brown, a political science major from Roseville. “They gave me more of a sense of connection with the community and a connection with Hamline.”
President Hostetter said her charge for a life of scholarship was straightforward and not as complicated as some people think.
"You do your reading, you go to class, you sit in the front row and ask questions,” she said. “It’s easy to say…harder to do each and every day. And you can do it.”
Her last charge was to serve the community. That could mean helping a fellow Piper or the whole community. That could mean introducing a cool new place to students who aren’t from the area. Or participating in a campus-sponsored service project.
She’s listening
This year, President Hostetter is embarking on a listening tour with different groups in the Hamline community. She’s inviting all students to help her get to know Hamline as they see it, what’s great about it, and what they need to do better. She also invited students to sit with her when she’s having lunch in the cafeteria.
"This is my first year as a member of this community, so don’t leave the new kid sitting by herself in the dining hall,” she said. “Come sit with me. I want to break bread with you.”
Shengyeng Vang, a business major from Oakdale, said she thought President Hostetter’s remarks were welcoming and aspirational.
“Leadership, scholarship and service – these are qualities that everyone should have,” said Vang, a member of the U.S. Army National Guard.
Ian Brown, a political science major from Roseville, was among a group of students who talked to President Hostetter after the ceremony.
“Her calls to action were really interesting,” said Brown, who aspires to become a politician. “They gave me more of a sense of connection with the community and a connection with Hamline.”