Tag Archive: Finlandia Foundation National

March 6, 2023

FinnU and Finlandia Foundation National announce intentions to preserve history and heritage

Finlandia University in Hancock, Michigan and Finlandia Foundation National, Inc. (FFN), based in Pasadena, California, announce intentions that aim to ensure the preservation of Finlandia University’s Finnish-American heritage and history.

The non-profit Finlandia Foundation, founded in 1953 to connect, inspire and strengthen the Finnish-American community in the United States, has commissioned a task force with the intent and mission to preserve Finlandia University’s Finnish American Heritage Center, its archives, folk school, art gallery, North Wind Books store and the monthly [...]

January 23, 2023

Franklin-Rahkonen named new chair of Finnish Council of America

Dr. Sharon Franklin-Rahkonen has been named the new leader of the Finnish Council of America at Finlandia University. 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 [...]

125th Anniversary Video of Martti Nisonen Music

June 21, 2022

125th Anniversary Performance by Kent Washburn and Meri Siirala | Music of Martti Nisonen

In 1922, Martti Nisonen began his career at Suomi College, now Finlandia University, quickly gaining popularity as a profound teacher of music and prolific composer. Before his passing in 1946, Nisonen amassed more than 10 linear feet of compositions and arrangements now safely stored at Finlandia’s Finnish American Heritage Center and Historical Archive.

Kicking off its year of 125th Anniversary celebrations in December 2021, Finlandia held a Sunday worship service and its annual commemoration of Finnish Independence Day. The day was [...]

FAHC award of excellence with david maki

October 28, 2021

Finnish American Reporter receives Award of Excellence 2021

The Finnish American Reporter recently received the Finlandia Foundation National Award of Excellence for 2021. Founded in 1986, the FAR is the largest and most widely circulated newspaper for Finns in North America. Editor-in-Chief David Maki accepted the award at FFN’s meeting last month at Finn Camp in Wixom, Michigan.

“We aim to serve the entirety of Finnish America, much like Finlandia Foundation does,” Maki said.

“The Reporter exists because of its customers, it exists for its customers and our customers [...]

September 8, 2018

WWI Dissent Exhibit Opens Friday, September 14

The interpretive exhibit, Copper Country Voices of Dissent in the Great War, will open with a reception on Friday, September 14 at 7 p.m. and talk by Dr. Hilary-Joy Virtanen at 7:30 p.m. at the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock. This exhibit examines the ways in which Copper Country residents expressed dissent to the United States’ entrance into World War I and the ways in which these activities reflected America’s reaction to the war nationally.

The [...]

June 29, 2018

Virtanen elected to Finlandia Foundation National Board of Trustees

At their March board meeting in Dallas, Finlandia Foundation National trustees elected Dr. Hilary-Joy Virtanen to a three-year term on the board. Virtanen, a native of nearby Toivola, is the Finnish & Nordic Studies professor at Finlandia University. She holds a Master’s and Ph.D. in Scandinavian Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; an MA from Indiana University; and a BA from Michigan State University. Dr. Virtanen will serve as the chair of the Lecturer of the [...]