Return To Learn is a collaborative initiative between the State of Michigan and Finlandia University to encourage adult learners to return to college to complete their degrees. Discover how easy it can be to “return to learn.” Working adults are invited to contact a Finlandia University admissions counselor to discuss career and financial aid opportunities.

Completing a college degree can make a difference.
- On average, people who earn two or four-year degrees earn from $250,000 to $1 million more in a lifetime than those without a degree.
- An associate or bachelor’s degree from Finlandia University qualifies you for many in-demand, well paid careers in fields such as nursing, physical therapist assistant, criminal justice, elementary teaching, human services, business and art and design.  It’s easier than you may think.
- People of all ages are taking classes at Finlandia University.
- Financial aid and scholarships are available to help you pay for college, even if you are attending part-time.
- Individual academic advising, one-on-one faculty interaction, tutoring and small classes will help you succeed.

Let us help you “return to learn.” Contact an Enrollment Officer today.
              - Local: 906-487-7274
              - Toll free: 1-877-202-5491
              - admissions@finlandia.edu

For additional information about the “Return to Learn” program in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov or click on the logo above.


Finlandia University Joins Statewide “Return to Learn” Campaign

HANCOCK, MI – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has designated the month of November as “Return to Learn” month in Michigan. Finlandia University and other participating “Return to Learn” institutions will engage in a variety of activities during the month designed to help adults in the work force understand the many benefits of completing a college degree.

Adult learners are invited to attend an open house at Finlandia University on Friday, December 9, 2006, to find out more about how they can “return to learn.” Open house participants can tour the campus, attend a variety of classes, find out about financial aid opportunities, have lunch with faculty and enjoy a pizza social. Please call Finlandia admissions at 906-487-7274 to find out more about the open house and to register.

“A college degree can be the ticket to a bigger paycheck for our citizens and a stronger economy for our state” said Governor Granholm. “A college graduate in Michigan will earn a million dollars more in a lifetime than someone who has only finished high school.”

“It’s one of the best decisions that I ever made in my life,” says Finlandia senior elementary education student Scott LaBonte of his choice to complete college after working for many years. “Until I started at Finlandia, I had the idea that I could get by without college,” said LaBonte. “But that’s just it, I only ‘got by.’ Education opens up so many new doors and possibilities.”

“Non-traditional students have always felt comfortable at Finlandia University,” said Ben Larson, Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Development for Finlandia University. “Adults who have been out of school for a while make a big decision when they choose to go back to school, and it’s important that they find supportive student services staff members, caring and committed faculty members, and a campus setting where they will feel comfortable and taken care of.”
A ‘non-traditional’ student, Christina Armbruster of Chassell, Michigan, was in her 30s while completing her bachelor’s degree at Finlandia. “It definitely made me appreciate the opportunity to be there. I had the desire to make it work. And as a mother, I wanted to set a good example for my kids,” she said. “I’ve become a better person inside and out. I would definitely encourage anybody to go back to school.”

Armbruster completed her a Bachelor of Arts degree in rural human services in 2003. She has been working for the State of Michigan for more than 5 years, having started in a clerical position and, after completing her degree, advancing to a caseworker position. Today, Chris provides protective services for the Children’s Services unit at Family Independence Agency.

The enrollment management team at Finlandia is committed to working with students whether they are 18 years of age or 48. “Many who have enrolled at varying stages of their lives have commented on the safe environment that they have found on our campus and the ease of the enrollment process as they return to complete their dreams,” said Larson, “Chris Armbruster and Scott LaBonte are just two of the many “non-traditional” learners who have come to learn with us, and are, or soon will be, proud graduates working in the professional community here in the Upper Peninsula and in settings around the country.”

Working adults are invited to contact a Finlandia University admissions counselor at any time to discuss career and financial aid opportunities. “Now is a great time to come talk with the admissions staff at Finlandia about returning to learn and how easy it is to re-enroll and re-invest in your future,” Larson concluded.

Contact the Finlandia University Admissions Office toll free at 877-202-5491, or e-mail them at admissions@finlandia.edu. Visit www.finlandia.edu for additional information about Finlandia University.


      Student Profile: Scott LaBonte
“I think it’s one of the best decisions that I ever made in my life,” says Finlandia University elementary education senior Scott LaBonte of his choice to return to college after working for many years. “Until I started at Finlandia, I had the idea that I could get by without school,” says Scott. “But that’s just it, I only ‘got by.’ Education opens up so many new doors and possibilities.”

Scott worked as a manager at ShopKo in Houghton for 3 years, and at Penske Auto until they closed in 2002. “When Penske closed, I was content to search for another job,” Scott said. “But my wife Kim told me, ‘Nope, you’ve been wanting to go to school, here’s your chance, GO!’ She knew it was something I had wanted to do for a long time. My wife has been really supportive which has been incredibly helpful.”

“The school has just been great. It’s so, convenient at Finlandia and I’ve gotten to know a lot of people here,” Scott says. “I like the low faculty to student ratio and the one-on-one communication. If I’ve got a problem, I can go to any of my instructors at any time they’ll sit down and help me with anything I’ve got. They know who I am.”

Since Scott returned to school, his oldest daughter Stephanie, 17, has also been an inspiration to him. She participates in the Calumet High School Future Teachers Club and is completing an early childhood education program at CCISD. “Stephanie volunteers at Little Gippers, Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Home and she works a couple days a week at Centennial School with the kids.” Scott said. “We’ve been a really good influence on each other. We’re keeping each other going.” Stephanie will enroll in Finlandia’s elementary education degree program in the fall of 2006.

“I figure you get out what you put in,” says Scott of his college courses. “ If you’re going to try to slack through it, that’s what you’ll end up with. I don’t want to be a teacher who does the very minimum. I want to know that the kids are actually learning something, and that maybe some day, they’ll say of me, ‘He was a decent teacher. I really liked having him.’ I think all the hard work is going to pay off.”

Scott has talked with several administrators at local schools and he reports that they’re very impressed with Finlandia elementary education graduates. “Finlandia graduates come highly rated and very well prepared,” Scott says. “I think once I actually get out there, I stand a pretty good chance of getting hired. They know the background of the program; they know the requirements and the hours that we’ve put in. So they know we’re ready.”

Scott graduated from Lake Linden High School in 1989. He currently works for Finlandia’s Student Support Services. In May 2006 Scott will complete his Bachelor of Arts in education with minors in English and social studies. He and his wife Kim live in Calumet with their three children, Stephanie, 17, Amanda, 14, and Nicholas, 8.

      Student Profile: Christine Armbruster
Chris Armbruster of Chassel, Michigan, earned an associate degree in business administration from Finlandia University in 2000. At that time, she had just started working in the clerical unit of the State of Michigan Family Independence Agency (FIA). “As time went on, I wanted to go back to school,” said Chris, “and I could see how the four-year degree in Rural Human Services would help me advance within the FIA.” In 2003 Chris completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in rural human services.

Finlandia was Chris’s first college experience. “I liked the one-on-one with instructors and the smaller classes,” said Chris. “The smaller campus makes it easier to get around. When I was working on my bachelor’s degree I was able to run up to campus at lunchtime to take a class; it was really convenient.”

Chris is much more confident since attending Finlandia. “I feel like I can do anything now. I’ve made some major life changes in the last few years and I’m doing a lot of things I’ve never done before. Having the education, advancing in my career, made me realize that if I don’t like something in my life, I can change it.”

“I’ve become a better person, inside and out,” says Chris. “I would definitely encourage anybody to go back to school. You grow in every area. You’re able to communicate better; you’re able to face new challenges knowing that ‘I can do this.’”

A ‘non-traditional’ student, Chris was in her 30s while attending Finlandia. “It definitely made me appreciate the opportunity to be there. I had the desire to make it work. And as a mother, I wanted to set a good example for my kids,” she said.

Chris has been working for the State of Michigan for more than 5 years. In that short span of time, she has advanced from a clerical position to an eligibility specialist to a caseworker. Chris now provides protective services for the Children’s Services unit at FIA. “There’s never a boring day. Every day is different,” said Chris.

Chris completed her practicum and internship degree requirements with her employer. “My first practicum was through the Hancock FIA Adult Services office. I also did some practicum work with FIA Volunteer Services. My internship placement as an Eligibility Specialist eventually became a permanent position. It worked out really well. I was able to work full time and go to school, too.”

“You have to get a degree in order to get a job that can sustain you,” said Chris. “Especially if you have a family. I feel so lucky the way everything has happened for me. State jobs are the best paying jobs in this area. If you want to find meaningful work and make a decent living to support yourself and family,” Chris repeated, “You have to have an education.”

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