Message from the IAB President… Dr. Sylvia Saari Fleishman

As our alumni web page moves into its second year of operation, it is my hope that many of you are finding this site and benefiting from its presence. If you have not yet added your name and e-mail address to the registry, we encourage you to do so. Christina Armbruster and I also continue to seek your input for ways to strengthen this site and urge that you send any comments or suggestions to christina.armbruster@finlandia.edu.

Plans are moving forward for the Seminary/Class of 1958 Reunion with initial meetings taking place at Finlandia. The reunion will take place in the summer of 2008. If you are a member of the 1958 graduating class or a seminary graduate from that year, please plan to participate! We also are looking for helpers in planning this very special get-together. Christina is spearheading efforts and would love to have volunteers or hear your suggestions for things to include.

In addition to the reunion, Finlandia is pursuing a challenging Comprehensive Campaign to raise funds to solidify the fiscal soundness of the college, to enable the college to continue to expand its programs as a four-year institution, and to attract highly qualified faculty. All of you should have received the annual letter from the Office of Advancement with a request for support of the university. Please consider the request and give as you are able. Comprehensive Campaign requests will likely come later.

Another highlight of this academic year has been an increase in student/alumni activities at the college. Finlandia students took on the alumni in a hockey game to raise money for a six-year old boy with leukemia--a very worthy endeavor. In basketball, students challenged alumni and faculty members to test their skills on the basketball court. In addition, Christina reports increased involvement of younger alumni in various activities at Finlandia—all very good signs.

In a final reminder, please note that Finlandia week will be held in Lantana February 3-11, 2007. We hope the south Florida alumni as well as other friends of the university will be there in full force.

fleishmans@charter.net