Tag Archive: ELCA

July 19, 2022

Pinnow’s presidency begins

The 17th President of Finlandia University, Tim Pinnow, has spent his first two weeks in office focusing on the things that matter the most – community.

On his first day, Pinnow welcomed University faculty and staff to a morning reception at the Hoover Center.

“One of the things that I would like to base this presidency on is a sense that all of us contribute to the success of Finlandia University,” Pinnow said. “I will be holding open office hours every week [...]

April 27, 2022

Vance Blackfox to be Finlandia University’s 2022 Commencement Keynote Speaker

Finlandia University is pleased to announce that Vance Blackfox, director of Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will be the 2022 Commencement Keynote Speaker on May 1 at 1:30 p.m.

“We are privileged to welcome Vance to Finlandia and our Copper Country communities. I believe his life and message will speak meaningfully to our graduates and their families and friends, to all of us,” President Philip Johnson said. “We are especially grateful that [...]

September 9, 2021

Finlandia announces 125th Anniversary celebrations

HANCOCK, MI – On September 8, 1896, hardy and hard-working Finnish Lutheran immigrants gathered to worship at the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hancock, Michigan to officially dedicate a school in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula: the Suomi College and Theological Seminary. J.K. Nikander, president of the Suomi Synod and the college’s first president, preached from the book of Proverbs 8:1, “Does not wisdom cry out, and does not understanding lift up her voice?”

Founded in the late 19th century, Suomi College prepared [...]

August 26, 2019

Sarah Semmler Smith Named New Campus Pastor

Finlandia University is excited to introduce its new pastor, Sarah Semmler Smith. Semmler Smith is moving to the area after spending the past six years as an associate pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, WI.

“I am so pleased that Pastor Sarah is joining our community as Finlandia’s next campus pastor,” said FinnU’s President, Dr. Philip Johnson. “Sarah is theological astute, pastorally wise and fun. It’s a great blend for our campus community.”

Growing up, [...]

June 5, 2019

Finlandia University Awarded Grant to Launch Center for Vocation and Career Development

Finlandia University students are set to see an upgrade to their job-seeking skills as the university has received the $25,000 NetVUE Vocation across the Academy Grant from the Council of Independent Colleges to launch a Center for Vocation and Career Development.

“The Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) has a membership of over 200 universities and colleges, and the membership is growing each year,” said Dr. Rene Johnson, Director of Servant Leadership and Assistant Professor [...]

August 3, 2017

Mark Wilhelm named executive director of Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities

CHICAGO – The Rev. Mark N. Wilhelm has been named executive director of the Network of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Colleges and Universities.

Wilhelm previously served as ELCA program director for schools, which included early childhood, elementary, secondary and colleges and universities. He was appointed interim executive director of the network when it was established in 2015.

“The search committee conducted a national search, which yielded a strong pool of candidates,” said Steven C. Bahls, president of [...]

March 18, 2016

Schmidt to be ordained Sunday in Escanaba

Campus community is invited to attend the celebration

Finlandia University Campus Pastor Soren Schmidt will soon be Rev. Soren Schmidt, Campus Pastor as he goes through the final steps of his calling to become ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Schmidt will be ordained Sunday at 3 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Escanaba. Anyone interested in attending is invited. Below is information Soren has provided on the calling:

I am called in vocation to this ministry here [...]