Embattled Hamline University president Fayneese Miller is retiring on June 30, 2024.
This comes several months after Miller stirred up controversy by not retaining a professor who showed an image of the prophet Mohammed in an art history class.
The incident sparked the Hamline faculty council to call for Miller's resignation.
A vote by full-time professors at the St. Paul-based school came on Jan. 24, with 71 of 92 who took part in the balloting backing a statement asking for Miller to step down.
Here is the wording of the statement:
“We are distressed that members of the administration have mishandled this issue and great harm has been done to the reputation of Minnesota’s oldest university. As we no longer have faith in President Miller’s ability to lead the university forward, we call upon her to immediately tender her resignation to the Hamline University Board of Trustees.”
Members of the Muslim community wanted Miller to fire the professor, Erika López Prater, who sued the school for wrongful termination.
In the suit, Lopez Prater alleges breach of contract, defamation, and religious discrimination.
After the lawsuit was filed, Miller backtracked on the administration’s previous comments in which the incident was called Islamophobic.
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Hamline's trustees board chair called Miller an innovative and transformational leader for Hamline.
"Through her strategic vision and ability to navigate complex issues, she ably has led the University through a time of growth and change, and she has done so by centering the needs and well-being of Hamline students in her work," said Ellen Waters. "Hamline is forever grateful for Dr. Miller's tireless and dedicated service."
Hamline administrators say the statement Monday is their only media comment on Miller's retirement.
Miller was the first Black to serve as president of Hamline when she was hired for the position in 2015.
School officials will stage a national search for a new president.
Founded in 1854, Hamline University is Minnesota's oldest private college, and second-oldest behind the U of M.
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