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March 2, 2023

Finlandia University will not enroll students for the 2023-2024 academic year

On Thursday, March 2, Finlandia University’s Board of Trustees announced that Finlandia will not enroll students for the 2023-2024 academic year. The decision follows months of continuous efforts to find pathways for the University to continue its mission.

“I am deeply saddened to announce that due to a combination of demographic changes, with fewer high school graduates available, a steep decrease in interest in going to college among those graduates, and an unbearable debt load, Finlandia’s Board of Trustees met and [...]

February 17, 2023

Kalevalathon 2023: An ‘epic’ discussion with Dr. Hilary-Joy Virtanen

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Finlandia Fridays is a great way for students, employees and the community to find out about exciting happenings around campus and in the Upper Peninsula. Hosted by Finlandia University’s Communications Department, Finlandia Fridays is an entertaining way to stay up to date with school events, stimulating discussions and student stories.

In this week’s episode, Dr. Hilary-Joy Virtanen joins the show to discuss an exciting upcoming event, Kalevalathon. Happening on Tuesday, February 28, this [...]

February 13, 2023

5th annual Kalevalathon to be held Feb. 28

The 5th annual reading marathon of The Kalevala will kick off at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, and will continue until the last rune has been read. Led by Finlandia University’s Finnish & Nordic Studies professor Dr. Hilary-Joy Virtanen, patrons can attend the event in person, via Zoom or by livestream.

“Often people think of epic poetry as difficult, hard to understand, and maybe even boring to read. The Kalevala Reading Marathon, Kalevalathon, lets [...]

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 [...]

Finnish Independence Day Celebration 2021

November 29, 2022

Finland’s Independence to be celebrated at Finlandia University

One of the Copper Country’s longest-standing cultural traditions will continue at Finlandia University on the evening of Tuesday, December 6, when the Finnish-founded school hosts its annual celebration of Finland’s Independence Day. The university has commemorated the establishment of the Republic of Finland each year since Finland achieved independence in 1917.

The public is invited to the event, which gets under way at 6 p.m. at Finlandia University’s Finnish American Heritage Center. The evening’s schedule includes performances by the Kivajat Dancers [...]

July 15, 2022

Price of Freedom Museum summer 2022 schedule announced

HANCOCK — The Price of Freedom Museum, perhaps North America’s largest collection of Finnish war materials, memorabilia and artifacts, will be open to the public three days each week for the remainder of the summer.

The collection, which is housed on the sixth floor of Finlandia University’s Jutila Center, will be open Tuesdays 1 to 3 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Thursdays 1 to 3 p.m., beginning the week of July 18 until Labor Day. There is no [...]

December 7, 2018

Niska Named New Leader of Finnish Council of America

The Finnish Council of America elected John Niska as its new president this past May. Niska was raised on a beef and horse farm in Green, MI, just west of Ontonagon. His parents were bilingual and often spoke Finnish in his home, shared in Finnish customs and were very proud of their Finnish heritage. Niska went to Michigan State University for his undergraduate degree and worked in the education realm until his retirement from