HANCOCK, MI – Sixty yards of very special Jacquard fabric will decorate the Paavo Nurmi Center gymnasium for the September 20, 2007, inauguration and installation of President Philip Johnson.

The spectacular woven fabric panels were designed by Finlandia University art and design students for a Jacquard Design course taught by artist Liz Folk in the spring 2007 semester. For both visual and acoustic effect, five yards of each of the six students’ two designs will be draped from the gymnasium ceiling.

Students in the course were Ronda Jones (Laurium), Stacy Karvonen (Nisula), Chaslyn Duffek (Pelkie), Renee VanDrese (Gladstone), Meredith Puotinen (Shawano, Wisc.), and Phyllis Fredendall (Hancock). The fabric was woven by the Weave Corporation, Denver, Penn.

Jacquard weaving, invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard (1752 - 1834), makes possible on almost any loom the programmed raising of each warp thread independently of the others. It is probably one of the most important weaving inventions as it made possible the automatic production of unlimited varieties of pattern weaving.

The full day Finlandia University inaugural celebration includes events throughout the day, including informational symposia, open classroom visits, student-led campus tours, and other opportunities to learn more about Finlandia, its degrees and programs. All are welcome.
Visitors are invited to begin their Sept. 20 campus visit at the Hoover Center where they can collect a schedule of the day’s events and a campus map, and chat with university students and staff.

A formal inaugural and installation ceremony for President Johnson begins at 3:00 p.m. at the university’s Paavo Nurmi Center, followed at 4:15 p.m. by a reception at Finlandia Hall.

With the exception of the dance, all of the inaugural celebration activities are free. Finlandia University is in downtown Hancock, Mich., at 601 Quincy St. (U.S. Hwy. 41). For additional information please call the President’s Office at 906-487-7201.