Monday marks beginning of Spring 2018 semester

Another semester at Finlandia University begins today, Monday, January 8, 2018. The semester should be an exciting one for those at the university with all the fun that comes along with a spring semester. Below are some of the highlights of things to look forward to, as well as a quick look at the academic calendar.

MLK Day of Service

On Monday, January 15 there will be no classes as students, staff and faculty get out and get involved in service projects throughout Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. In 2017 more than 120 students were involved at 19 service sites. In 2018, it’s expected that even more students will be involved. Students, staff and faculty are invited to click the link below and sign up for a site that interests them.

• MLK Day of Service Volunteer Form

Heikinpäivä

One of the great traditions in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula is centered right here on our campus, it’s the mid-winter festival of Heikinpäivä! This event kicks off this week with a social dance class and Nordic Film Series event. Events continue right through the end of January and are highlighted by the traditional Finnish games, the parade through downtown Hancock and the polar bear plunge into the frigid waters of the Portage Lake Shipping Canal (watch the 2015 video) on Saturday, January 27.

• The full Heikinpäivä event schedule can be found at finnishamericanreporter.com/heikinpaiva.

Softball Dome Tournament

Our softball team broke all kinds of program records in 2017, and the 2018 campaign will kick off February 24-25 with the annual Dome Tournament in Marquette, Michigan at the Superior Dome. This tournament includes a slew of teams from all over the Midwest coming together in the Upper Peninsula for NCAA Division III Softball. Be sure to follow the Finlandia Lions Facebook and Twitter (@FinlandiaLions) pages to keep up with all the details of Finlandia athletics, including the 2018 baseball schedule and exciting finishes to the 2017-18 season for our hockey and basketball teams.

Fashion Show

In late December Professor of Fiber and Fashion Design Phyllis Fredendall came onto Finlandia Fridays to talk about the $20,000 Brule Scholarship, but of course the conversation dove right into the amazing Fashion Show her students put on each year. This event, which is scheduled for Thursday, March 29, is an amazing one for students and the community alike. Be sure to follow the Finlandia University International School of Art & Design on Facebook to make sure you don’t miss this great event, or any of the other incredible events at the Finlandia University Gallery. Gallery receptions are scheduled for January 18, February 22, March 29, April 28 and June 7.

Graduation Day 2018

The most magical moment of anyone’s college experience is the final one. This year’s graduation ceremony is Sunday, April 29 and it should be a memorable one. We’ll be announcing all kinds of need-to-know information over the coming months, including a full schedule, the student representative and the commencement speaker.

• Details to be posted at finlandia.edu/graduation as they’re announced.

Of course, this is just a sampling of the many great events that will be going on around campus. Be sure to subscribe to the twice-weekly Campus News e-mail newsletter to make sure you don’t miss any of the great events that will take place.

If you would like to submit an event to be included on our campus calendar, please e-mail michael.babcock@finlandia.edu with event details.

Academic Calendar for Spring 2018 Semester

JANUARY 6, SATURDAY

Residence hall opens for incoming students

JANUARY 7, SUNDAY

Residence hall opens for returning students

JANUARY 8, MONDAY

Classes begin

JANUARY 12, FRIDAY

Drop/add period ends (full semester) 4 p.m.

JANUARY 15, MONDAY

MLK Day of Service – No regular classes

FEBRUARY 9, FRIDAY

End of “W” period (1^st half semester classes) 4 p.m.

FEBRUARY 27, TUESDAY

Mid-semester grades due online 3 p.m.
First-half class final grades due online 3 p.m.

FEBRUARY 28, WEDNESDAY

Second half semester classes begin

MARCH 2, FRIDAY

Drop/add period ends (2nd half semester classes) 4 p.m.

MARCH 2, FRIDAY

Spring Break (after last class)
Residence hall closes at noon, Saturday

MARCH 11, SUNDAY

Residence hall opens at 9 a.m.

MARCH 12, MONDAY

Classes resume

MARCH 22, THURSDAY

End of “W” period (full semester) 4 p.m.

MARCH 30, FRIDAY

No classes; campus closed (Good Friday)

APRIL 11, WEDNESDAY

End of “W” period (2^nd half semester classes) 4 p.m.

APRIL 13, FRIDAY

Honors Banquet

APRIL 23-APRIL 27, MONDAY-FRIDAY

Final Exam Week
End of semester, Friday, April 27

APRIL 29, SUNDAY

Baccalaureate/Commencement
Residence hall closes at 6 p.m.

MAY 1, TUESDAY

Final Semester Grades due online 3 p.m.

A full updated Academic Calendar can always be found at https://www.finlandia.edu/academics/campus-catalog/2017-18-catalog/academic-calendar/.