Cameron (Cam) Williams, P.T. , D.P.T.,  M.S.

PTA Program Director and Assistant Professor
Cam has been a lifetime resident of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy form Northern Illinois University in 1990 and received his Masters Degree in Community Healthcare Administration from California College for Health Sciences in 2003. His background as a clinician includes primarily orthopedic practice in private practice and hospital settings. During his years in clinical practice, he has been a clinical instructor for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant students. As well, he has been active in the Michigan Physical Therapy Association (MPTA) since 1991 and has been a delegate to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) for 10 years. Cam is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the PTA Program at Finlandia University. Included in his teaching responsibilities are courses in introduction to physical therapy, tests and measures, clinical orthopedics and geriatric physical therapy. And finally, Cam enjoys many activities including fishing, camping, skiing and playing hockey.

Hilary Sproule, BScPT, MHSA

Instructor and Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education (ACCE)
Hilary graduated from the University of Toronto in 1977 with a BS PT. She worked as a staff physical therapist and administrator in a variety of health care settings in Canada. Although her primary interest has been in pediatrics, Hilary has been a part of interdisciplinary teams treating adult neurological, cardiovascular, specialized orthopedics and respiratory patients. Hilary completed her masters in Health Administration in 1993 at the University of Alberta and worked as Administrative Director for Pediatrics at Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. She is responsible for coordinating the clinical affiliations at Finlandia University. Her teaching responsibilities include courses in clinical preparation and special topics, functional anatomy, neurological rehabilitation, and pediatrics. Hilary dabbles in a variety of activities such as cross-country skiing, golfing, reading, gardening, watching hockey games and assisting in Boy Scout and destination imagination programs.

Anne E. Halgren

Administrative Assistant
Anne comes to the PTA Program with over 30 years of clerical experience. Her responsibilities include assisting with the coordination of PTA program activities, providing administrative assistance to the Program Director, ACCE (Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education), PTA faculty and students. She enjoys the interaction of the PTA Department personnel, clinical faculty and students. Anne’s leisure time activities include walking, reading, scooping snow, and instructing water aerobics classes at the Paavo Nurmi Pool at Finlandia University. Anne was born and raised in Hancock.

Carol Bates
Associate Professor, Elementary Education

Educational Background: M.A. Department of Communications, Computing and Technology (Computing in Education), Teachers College, Columbia University B.S. in Education, Majors: Elementary Education & Special Education

Professional Experience: Teacher (Special Education) Copper Country Intermediate School District Learning Center, Director of LD Program, Suomi College, Assistant Professor, Suomi College, Associate Professor, Finlandia University, Director of Academic Computing, Finlandia University, Director of Distance Learning

Professional Organization Memberships: Service Learning Advisory Committee, ASCD/Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Finlandia University representative on the local Distance Education Consortium, Member of Alpha Delta Kappa/honor society for women teachers, Member Michigan Association for Distance Learning, Member Council for Exceptional Children, Member Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning, Member International Society for Technology in Education, Board Member and Executive Position Holder, Oak House, Inc.

Courses Taught at Finlandia: Methods of Teaching Math (EDU 303), Teaching of Exceptional Children (EDU 411), Education, Media & Technology (EDU 421).

Kristin Raisanen Schourek
Adjunct Faculty

Educational Background: M.S. in Applied Science Education from Michigan Technological University B.A. in Art Education with a minor in Natural Sciences from Wayne State University

Professional Experience: Science Teacher for junior high and high school levels, as well as elementary and high school art.

Professional Organization Memberships: Two-term member of the Board of Examiners for the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Courses Taught at Finlandia: Methods of Teaching Science (EDU 304)

Carla Strome

Adjunct Faculty

Curriculum Coordinator/Advanced and Accelerated Consultant Copper Country Intermediate School District

Educational Background: M.A. Ed., Northern Michigan University, B.A., Spring Arbor University

Professional Experience: Adjunct Faculty, Finlandia University, Adjunct faculty, Michigan Technological University, Curriculum Coordinator/Advanced and Accelerated Consultant for Copper County Intermediate School District, Elementary and Middle School Teacher for Stanton Township Public Schools – grades 5-8 for Social Studies, mathematics, technology and physical education.

Professional Organization Memberships: Association for the Supervision of Curriculum Development, Michigan ISD English/Language Arts Network, Michigan Council for Social Studies, National Council for the Teaching of Social Studies, Michigan Staff Development Council, Region 1 Board Member for the Michigan Alliance for Gifted Education, Upper Peninsula Center for Education Development

Course Taught at Finlandia: Methods of Teaching Social Studies (EDU 302)

Marcia Drenovsky
University Supervisor

Educational Background: B.S. Western Michigan University, Continuing Certification, Northern Michigan University

Professional Experience: Teaching positions, Houghton Elementary, BHK Houghton County, Kent County, Genesee County

Professional Organization Memberships: Michigan State Department of Education MEAP Social Science Test Development Range Finding and Standard Setting Committee, Member Copper Country Reading Council, Michigan Reading Association, International Reading Association, Alpha Delta Kappa.

Position at Finlandia: Supervisor of Student Teachers and Junior Field Experiences

Arthur Stancher
University Supervisor

Educational Background: M.S. in Elementary Education from Northern Michigan University, B.S. in Elementary Education from Northern Michigan University

Professional Experience: Teaching positions, Calumet, Laurium and Keweenaw.

Professional Organization Memberships: Served on various district-wide committees including the Technology Committee. Served as a member of the District Crisis Team, active in the Michigan Education Association, serving as a district Political Action Chairperson. Recently ordained as a deacon for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette, currently assigned to St. Paul the Apostle in Calumet.

Position at Finlandia: Supervisor of Junior Field Experiences

Judge Phillip Kukkonen

For 14 years, the Honorable Phillip L. Kukkonen has been Chief Judge of the 97th District Court. For 20 years, he’s been teaching Criminal Justice courses at Finlandia University. “I get a lesson plan every day, literally, of the real life experiences, the motions, and the procedures that have to take place,” said Kukkonen. This spring, Judge Kukkonen is teaching Criminal Procedures (CRJ 208).
"Everything that I teach in the class, I live every day," said Kukkonen. "The class is approached from both the police officer's and the lawyer's perspectives. It gives students some polish in the application of correct police procedures."

Fully 25% of the law enforcement officers in Houghton County are Finlandia graduates. "The students who come to class and do their work will all get a job somewhere in the local area," said Kukkonen. "Or if they want to, they can get work anywhere. It just takes dedication, reasonableness and some common sense. What we're seeing is, the more education you have, the more options it gives you."

"A law enforcement officer has the opportunity to help people change their lives for the better," added Judge Kukkonen. "A police officer's job includes exercising a certain amount of discretion and there is a lot of room for compassion."

Judge Kukkonen earned his undergraduate degree from Northern Michigan University, and his law degree (J.D.) from the Detroit College of Law. Prior to his election to the district court bench, Kukkonen maintained a private law practice in Hancock, MI.

Fraser Strome

Fraser Strome has served as Assistant Prosecutor for Houghton County for more than 14 years. For 5 years, he has been teaching Criminal Law for Finlandia University’s Criminal Justice Program. “One of the joys of teaching is what I learn from students and the teaching process. Student questions and insights have made things exciting for me over the past five years,” said Strome.

Criminal Law (CRJ 205) covers criminal law basics, including the roots of criminal law in American society through present day changes. Students learn the elements of crime and the functions and sources of criminal law.

"Well-trained officers contribute to the preservation of constitutional guarantees for all individuals," said Strome. "The collection, preservation and processing of crime-related evidence leaves little room for error on the part of the officer."

"There is a dynamic blend among the faculty of Finlandia's Criminal Justice Department," added Strome. "From a practical approach, students are exposed to three essential views of the criminal justice system from those who actively make a living in law enforcement."

"It's great that local students can get an education locally. And many students want to stay locally," said Strome. "Things are competitive. The extra advantage of further education gives you an option to go into different areas."

"From what I have seen, a large number of Finlandia graduates work locally in law enforcement," said Assistant Prosecutor Strome. "I've come into contact with some pretty impressive people who graduated from Finlandia."

"In every community, police officers are putting their lives on the line," noted Strome. "But being on the front line and helping others is personally and professionally rewarding."

Strome earned a B.A. in history from Spring Arbor College in 1987. He earned his law degree (J.D.) from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1990.