Tag Archive: Philip Johnson

August 19, 2020

‘Hancock Promise’ extension continues reduced tuition for Hancock grads

Finlandia University is pleased to announce a seven year extension of the Hancock Promise (formerly Finlandia Promise or Hancock Award) between the Hancock school district and university. The Hancock Promise allows for Hancock Central High School graduates to attend Finlandia University at a tuition cost of up to only $2500.00 per school year.

“The Hancock Promise is a core expression of Finlandia’s commitment to champion and support private higher education for neighboring families who thought it to be out of reach,” [...]

June 9, 2020

Finlandia Commits to Provide a Safe Opening for All

Finlandia University President Philip Johnson addressed students in an email on June 5, regarding Finlandia’s safe open commitment as a university.

I want to reach out and let you know that Finlandia is planning and preparing for safe living and learning as we come together on campus this fall. However, I now see such a commitment in a different and more urgent light.

A Safe Open

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff are our top priority. We are rigorously planning [...]

May 22, 2020

President Johnson Shares Exciting News about the Fall 2020 Semester

On this episode of Finlandia Fridays, Finlandia University President, Philip Johnson joins host, Anastazia Hartman to share the exciting news about classes this fall (2020). The pair talks about the plan for the safe open, the new health center, and more!

“I know the entire campus, which is now virtual, is very excited, we think this is exactly what we need to be doing for fall 2020. This is exactly what parents, families, and students expect. We are [...]

May 22, 2020

Finlandia Graduates 81 Students during Virtual Commencement Ceremony

The Finlandia University Class of 2020, had a graduation ceremony unlike any other. Yesterday, May 21st at 6 p.m. the 81 students that make up the graduating class were conferred their degrees in a virtual ceremony.

University President, Dr. Philip Johnson began the celebration by welcoming all to the virtual ceremony.

“It is my delight to welcome all of you to Finlandia University’s 2020 special edition commencement ceremony,” said Johnson. “Today, together even if virtually, we celebrate the grand academic [...]

May 14, 2020

Finlandia Announces Plans for Fall 2020

A Message from Dr. Philip Johnson, President, Finlandia University

Finlandia University will be welcoming students to campus for fall 2020 with face-to-face instruction. The first day of classes will be Monday, August 24.

This past March, when circumstances required a quick pivot, Finlandia, in the span of five days, launched the remainder of the semester fully on-line with a full complement of virtual student learning support. Finlandia’s new learning management system, an agile faculty, innovative student learning services professionals, and an inspiring [...]

May 11, 2020

How To View the Class of 2020 Virtual Commencement Ceremony

The Class of 2020 will be celebrating their achievements virtually on Thursday, May 21 at 6 p.m. from the Finnish American Heritage Center.

Join the virtual celebration at finlandia.edu/virtual-ceremonies/ as University President Philip Johnson, Vice President of Academic Affairs Fredi deYampert, Student Representative Nicholas Tobey, and Commencement Speaker Darlene King speak to the graduating class to celebrate their accomplishments.

Updates of Virtual Graduation Day 2020 at Finlandia University can be found at

April 24, 2020

Finlandia University Virtual Graduation To Be Held on May 21, 2020

Finlandia University’s 2020 Baccalaureate and Commencement activities have been changed to a virtual format.

“This is a particularly unique day for the Class of 2020, and we invite the Finlandia community to share in the celebration,” said Fredi deYampert, Vice President of Academic Affairs. “We are extremely proud of all that our graduates have accomplished here at Finlandia and we are excited to share this day with you, our graduates, families, and friends.”

Join us on Facebook Live at 10 a.m. on [...]

February 7, 2020

Rise Together with President Philip Johnson

On this episode of Finlandia Fridays, FinnU President, Philip Johnson drops by the set to discuss the new Rise Together Scholarship with host, Olivia Myers. President Johnson discusses the excitement that Rise Together brings and how it will help students who never thought college was an option.

The Rise Together Scholarship is a need-based scholarship that, when combined with federal and Michigan state scholarships and grants, covers a Michigan student’s entire tuition costs. This scholarship keeps with [...]

December 20, 2019

Michigan Tuition Grant Reinstated, Increased by State Legislature

Students across the state of Michigan can finally breathe easier now that the Michigan Tuition Grant has been reinstated.

Governor Whitmer signed the supplemental state budget on December 20 which included the reinstatement of the Michigan Tuition Grant. Recently, it was being utilized as a political pawn in budget negotiations and the future of it was uncertain leaving students and universities in limbo as to whether key funding would be provided. The Michigan Tuition Grant [...]

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, [...]

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