Dr. Fayneese S. Miller, president of Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, continues to break barriers in the field of higher education and in the golf world.

The first African American and only the second woman to hold this prestigious position is often greeted by her students on campus with, “Dr. Miller, have you had your hug for today?”  

“That’s how I see my students, I see them as family,” Dr. Miller said in a recent phone interview. “I want the best for them regardless of their race, gender or religion. I want the best for every student that steps foot onto, not just my campus, but any college campus.” 

Hugs and home-cooked meals are just the beginning of President Miller’s unique relationship with her student body. Golf rounds and playing in tournaments with her students are also an activity she enjoys when the harsh weather in Minnesota allows for it.  

“Their short game isn’t always good, but they hit the ball a country mile,” Miller said.  

Golf has been not only a tool that Dr. Miller relies on to connect with her students, but also to lay the foundation in her professional career. Golf has opened a corridor for her to meet potential donors and maintain relationships that the University has established with donors. She has connected with a whole new community through the golf world.  

Now an active member in LPGA Amateurs, Dr. Miller’s interest in golf was sparked when her three-year-old son sat transfixed as Tiger won his first green jacket at the Masters in 1997.  

“He was taken by Tiger, his eyes just lit up seeing someone play golf who looked like him,” Dr. Miller said. “He watched every round Tiger ever played. He wanted golf lessons, and I wanted to be able to play with him.”  

Inspired by her son’s interest in the game, Dr. Miller began taking golf lessons and played alongside her son throughout his childhood. Always an advocate, along the way she had one local tournament changed from “father-son” to “parent-child” so that she and her son could compete. 

As her son grew to have a prosperous career in the music industry, Dr. Miller continued playing the game and found other ways to compete with ladies, most notably as an LPGA Amateur.  

Dr. Miller has been a member of the LPGA Amateurs for four years since moving to Minnesota. After being welcomed into the group by another member, Dr. Miller recruited two other women of color to join. Dr. Miller noted that she remains unfazed by often being the only black woman on the course.  

“The women I golf with are very welcoming, I am always included. Usually I am the only black woman out there. I’m it.” 

Dr. Miller offers that the way to include more women of color on the course remains quite simply sharing information to different groups. More often than not, Black women want to play golf, but they just don’t know that organizations like LPGA Amateurs exist.  

“There are plenty of women of color who want to play and play more often. We just have to get the word out and let them know we’re here and we welcome everyone.” 

Fayneese-Miller-with-Friend-1

Dr. Fayneese Miller (right) with friend at the 3M Open

LPGA Amateurs offers a variety of activities like weekend leagues, week leagues, tournaments and socials. The organization offered the flexibility that Dr. Miller liked and needed given her duties as a full time University President. But titles vanish when she tees it up with her playing partners.  

“I think sometimes I try to downplay my position (at the University) because I don’t want to be viewed as different, I have to remind them not to address me as ‘Doctor’ but just call me Fayneese. When we are on the golf course everyone is equal.”  

On the golf course and on campus, Dr. Miller strives to be a role model for women and her students, proving that a woman of color can achieve whatever she desires and in whatever arena. 

“People can do anything they want; I’ve never let other people stand in my way. If you believe in yourself and you respect other people, you can accomplish anything you choose to accomplish and if I can make a difference in someone’s life by living that, then I have fulfilled my goal as president.” 

Dr. Miller continues to say that she believes we have to give each other grace as humans, and allow people to grow from their mistakes.  

While bitter winter weather holds fast Minnestota for now, Dr. Miller is grinding on her game to prepare herself for the PGA Women’s Leadership Convention in balmy Punta Cana. She is excited to return for her second trip to the Dominican Republic and to reconnect with the women she teed it up with last year.