St. Olaf College | Admissions

Mary Hakes

Assistant Dean of Admissions and Coordinator of Music Admissions
hakes@stolaf.edu
507-786-3297

Career: Mary Hakes earned her bachelor's degree in instrumental music from the University of Minnesota and worked in the St. Olaf Music Department for 11 years before joining the enrollment team this year. Mary was the librarian and instrumental music coordinator for the St. Olaf Band and the St. Olaf Orchestra. She also coordinated music admissions and scholarships for the Admissions staff. Before joining St. Olaf, Mary worked as a closer for a real estate title company and in the arts division at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon.

"Involvement in music at St. Olaf offers students the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than themselves and a chance to study and perform at the highest level in a challenging, yet supportive and nurturing environment."

Personal: Mary grew up in Austin, Minnesota, home of Spam luncheon meat. Except for a year in Nebraska and four years in Oregon, she has lived within 60 miles of St. Olaf her whole life. Mary is married and has two grown daughters and a teenage son. She plays piccolo and flute with the Mankato Symphony and plays piano for her own enjoyment. She also directs the handbell choir and sings at her church. Her hobbies include perennial gardening, knitting and solving Sudoku puzzles. Defying domestic stereotypes, Mary once caught a 14-inch northern pike with her bare hands and fed it to a bald eagle. True story.