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Categories for Alumni Relations

December 10, 2020

Melissa Helppi (’18, RN, BSN) Joins Finlandia’s Nursing Faculty

Melissa Helppi (’18, RN, BSN) recently joined Finlandia’s nursing faculty as an instructor. Helppi was the 2018 student representative for Finlandia and graduated Summa Laude from FinnU’s BSN program. She has been with the university since her graduation as a professional Nursing tutor, but has now joined the faculty. Her current duties include instructing the adult medical-surgical nursing course and clinical, and being a maternal-child clinical instructor.

“I am from all over,” said Helppi, about her childhood. “ [...]

October 26, 2020

English alum Max Malone’s success provides the #spookyseason you’ve been seeking

Max Malone (’14), has been busy since graduating from Finlandia University with a degree in English. He’s held a number of jobs including being a tutor, a survey drafter and fiber designer, content producer and creative writer. In 2018, Malone graduated from Kansas State University with a Master of Arts in English Language and Literature. He has written numerous episodes for the renowned fictional horror podcast, the NoSleep Podcast, and also recently wrote two 15-episode seasons [...]

October 23, 2020

October Alumni & Friends Newsletter Features Updated Giving Day Total, Alumni Spotlights

On Monday, October 19, the latest Alumni and Friends Email Newsletter was sent out to those subscribed to the monthly newsletter. You can view the entire newsletter here. If you’re interested in subscribing to the newsletter, you can sign up using the form below.

Feature Stories

These stories were featured in the Oct. 19, 2020 Alumni and Friends Newsletter.

Alumni Spotlight: Terrance Fuller (’19) Talks Career Success at Acrisure Fiber & Fashion Alum Jessica Shields Makes Masks for Team Wireless
October 20, 2020

Albert Hammond (’20) Joins Finlandia’s Business Office

Albert Hammond (’20) recently joined Finlandia’s Business office as an Accountant.

Hammond grew up in Elk Rapids, Mich., and graduated from Finlandia this past spring, with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a specialization in Accounting.

“As an accountant for Finlandia University, it is my job to analyze and record business transactions – accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, etc. – and gather and create data for financial statements,” said Hammond. “I also handle the processing of payroll and work-study [...]

Bonenfant
October 8, 2020

Marie Bonenfant Moves Back to Financial Aid

Photo taken prior to Covid-19 pandemic.

Marie Bonenfant (‘13) recently moved back to the Financial Aid office of Finlandia University as a Financial Aid Counselor.

She worked in the Financial Aid Office previously, then moved over to North Wind Books for a short time, but is now working as a Financial Aid Counselor once again.

Bonenfant grew up in the area and graduated from Finlandia in 2013 with a Bachelors in Psychology with a Criminal Justice [...]

September 15, 2020

FAB Giving Day Raises $19,085 for Safe Open

On Sept. 1, 2020, the Finlandia Alumni Board (FAB) Giving Day raised $19,085 to support Finlandia’s Safe Open efforts. In total, 69 donors gave during the 24 hour Giving Day and in the days following in support of baseline testing, personal protective equipment and safety upgrades for the campus.

“A heartfelt thanks go out to all of our FinnU alumni and friends for supporting this year’s Giving Day,” said Vice President for Advancement Karin Van Dyke. [...]

August 25, 2020

Alumni Board Giving Day seeks to raise $30K for FinnU Safe Open

The Finlandia Alumni Board (FAB) is hosting its annual Giving Day on Sept. 1 in an effort to raise $30,000 to assist the university in it’s Safe Open. Funds raised will go toward the cost of baseline testing for all students and employees, as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) and other necessary equipment to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 on campus this fall.

“The opportunity to test the entire campus community is a meaningful way to position [...]

Jan Bigalke
August 6, 2020

Alumni Update: Bigalke Named Principal of Ludington Area Catholic School

Finlandia University alumna, Jan Bigalke, recently accepted the role as Principal at Ludington Area Catholic School. She earned an associate degree in nursing from Suomi College and has more than 16 years of experience working as a registered nurse. After getting her associates from Suomi College, Bigalke earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Ferris State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Dayton.

Below is a full press release sent out by

Jessica Shields
May 15, 2020

Fiber & Fashion Alum Jessica Shields Makes Masks for Team Wireless

2019 Fiber & Fashion Alumni, Jessica Shields, has begun making masks to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shields and her husband own a clothing store, Upcycled Hippie, in downtown Escanaba where she makes one of a kind items made from recycled materials.

“Everything I create is one of a kind and made from recycled materials that I have either found or have been given,” said Shields. “I’ve been able to collect quite a large fabric collection [...]

Giving Day 2020
March 13, 2020

Support Students this Giving Day

As FinnU transitions to online classes for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year, the need for textbooks for the fall semester is still great. On this episode of Finlandia Fridays host, Anastazia Hartman was joined by Coordinator of External Relations, Monica Freeman and 2019 Textbook Award recipient and alumna Sam Richards (Accounting, ’19) to discuss this years Giving Day and the difference the Textbook Awards make in a students life.

“The Alumni Board decided to do [...]

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