49 students selected for Alumni Association Textbook Awards

The Finlandia Alumni Board (FAB) has selected 49 students for its second annual Alumni Association Textbook Awards. Presenting the first awards for 2021 were Haley Makela (’19), pictured left, and Laura Bianucci (’13), pictured right. Receiving the first award was Haley Bianucci, center, a current junior and criminal justice major at Finlandia. The award is given out in the form of a $250 textbook voucher, redeemable at North Wind Books. Over 140 students submitted applications this year.

“It is an honor to work with such an amazing Alumni Board that has donated so much of their time in raising money for the Textbook award,” Laura Bianucci said. “One goal of the Alumni Board is to help current students with some financial support that will hopefully take some money burden off their shoulders. I wish this was something that was done when I attended FinnU. Any type of financial help to pay for school is always appreciated.”

The Alumni Association Textbook Awards are a direct result of the FAB’s third Giving Day campaign. The first campaign, held in 2019, raised enough funds to supply 35 awards. In 2020, Giving Day was postponed and rescheduled. In support of Finlandia’s Safe Open 2020 plan, Giving Day 2020 was held in September and the money raised was dedicated to PPE and safety upgrades for Finlandia students.

$15,000 was raised this year, setting a new record for the Giving Day fundraiser. Currently active Finlandia Alumni Board members include Stephen Szuber, Jason Sullivan, Donna Kennard, Adam Huey, Alexa Sorensen, Monica Hill, Amy Sturma, Haley Makela, Laura Bianucci, Kendall Bolen and Michael Weathers.

“I’m inspired to be a part of the FAB because Finlandia gave me so many opportunities, and I just want to share those with the current students. I want to create a strong relationship between alumni and students,” Makela said.

2021 Alumni Association Textbook Award winners:

ShyAnn Vernam
Austin Keranen
Courtney Mayo
Erika Tollefson
Lauren Monger
Anders Saarela
Taylor Saari
Kylee Hopp
Malone Hiebert
Makenzie Karlen
Caleb Evosevich-Hynes
Taylor Talerico
Tyler Hale
Haley Bianucci
Liam Higgs
morgan campbell
James Pedersen
Nathan Walerowicz
Zyquantay Bickham
Allison Cooper
Luke Franczek
Isaac Gleissner
Rheanna Bain
Garrett Alton
Samantha Lepisto Drew
Nathan Erva
Sophia Cunningham-Henry
Tyler Baldwin
Harlee Froberg
Melanie Torres
Kaitlyn Lundeen
Bailey Frobegr
Laney Pasemko
Liberty Plath
Brandon Gaskin
Wandile Ngwenya
Cassidy Becia
Sarah Kuiper
Joseph Watson
Elizabeth Brown
Andrew Lara
Dominic Duprie
Kevin Danks
Yahir Avila
Ian Edgar
Austin Cover
Shannon Mattson
Arwen Sims
Katelyn Plesiewicz

To learn more about Giving Day 2021, Finlandia Alumni Board or the Finlandia Alumni Association Textbook Awards, visit finlandia.edu/givingday.