Furthering the understanding of the Finnish Culture in America (FUFCA).
Established in 1983, Finlandia University’s Finnish Council in America strives to preserve, maintain, and promote Finnish cultural heritage through support of the University and the Finnish American Community.
Dr. Sharon Franklin-Rahkonen has been named the new leader of the Finnish Council of America. Franklin-Rahkonen will serve as council chair, a position previously held by John Niska, who will now lead outreach on behalf of the organization.
After serving on the council’s board for many years and as secretary on its executive committee, Franklin-Rahkonen shared appreciation and insight into the council’s initiatives moving forward.
“I am very pleased to be asked to head the Finnish Council. We look forward to collaborating […]
To read the full release, visit here!
Please fill out this application form to submit your application to join the Finnish Council of America today. Applications are accepted year-round and voted on by the current council.
As a member of the Council, your responsibilities are to participate in the council by:
The concept was conceived by Dr. Ralph Jalkanen, then President of Suomi College, in the early 1980s and guided to fruition over many months of careful consideration. Dr. Jalkanen’s original proposal for the Council stated:
BE IT RESOLVED that a Finnish Council be established of an undetermined number of persons to have as its focus and concern the Finnish heritage programs, curricula and interests of Suomi College, with the right to review, and receive reports of those activities, to make recommendations thereon and to provide or obtain resources to develop its proposals and actions, and to report annually thereon to the Board of Trustees.
The multifaceted purpose of the FCA was listed:
During the latter part of 1982 and the first six months of 1983, Dr. Jalkanen‘s focus was on recruitment and targeted dissemination of information. He identified Suomi’s initial charge, “To preserve and enhance its Finnish tradition”, and maintained that the college had established the FCA “to ensure that the Finnish flavor isn’t lost in the American melting pot.” By July 1983, the FCA was 40 members strong with 22 attending the initial meeting at Suomi College.
Chair: Sharon Franklin-Rahkonen
Vice-Chair: Fern Malila
Recording Secretary: Kristiina Vanhala
Corresponding Secretary: Mary Pekkala
Past Chair: John M. Niska
Campus and Academic: Marvin Makinen
Heritage Center: Carl Rahkonen
History: Candace Koski Janners
Outreach: Kathleen Maki-Harmon and John M. Niska
Steve Aho
Robin Mosher Alanen
Evelyn Anderson
Julie Badel
Joy Dorvinen
Sharon Franklin-Rahkonen
Dave Holli
Steve Holli
Candace Koski Janners
Jeanne Kemppainen
John Kiltinen
Pauline Kiltinen
Paul Knuti
Jorma Lankinen
Kathleen Maki-Harmon
John Makinen
Marvin W. Makinen
Fern Malila
Keith Meyers
Arlene Morrissey
Michael Nakkula
Leslie Niemi
John M. Niska
Norma Nominelli
Kristin Ojaniemi
Mary Pekkala
Jennifer Pihlaja
Allan Poikonen
Tuula Poikonen
Carl Rahkonen
Cheryl Rogers
Daniel Sarya
Henrik Työppönen
Kristiina Vanhala
Barbara Worrall