Tag Archive: Philip Johnson

June 30, 2022

Johnson wraps up 15 years as Finlandia president

As 15 years in the president’s office at Finlandia University draw to a close, Dr. Philip Johnson will remember most the times his job took him elsewhere on campus.

“The most rewarding aspects of my work are those that take me away from my desk,” he said, “(such as) having lunch with students and asking them to give me ‘the good, the bad, and the ugly’; sitting with parents and grandparents to cheer on their student … mingling with students, community [...]

Philip Johnson 125th Anniversary Banquet

June 28, 2022

‘Semper Reformanda’: Johnson makes final address at 125th Anniversary celebration

After 15 years in office, Dr. Philip Johnson made his final address as President of Finlandia University on June 23, 2022. In the celebratory conclusion of Finlandia’s 125th Anniversary, patrons gathered in Martha Wiljanen Hall to reflect on FinnU’s past while boldly imagining its future.

“Semper reformanda; always reforming,” Johnson said. “As I think about our 125 years, if there is a single thread that weaves its way through our story here at Suomi College, Finlandia University, it’s this idea of [...]

Business Finland at Finlandia University

May 18, 2022

Photo Gallery | Business Finland, Consul General visit Finlandia University

On May 17, 2022, Finlandia University hosted Okko-Pekka Salmimies, Consul General of Finland in Los Angeles, and two Finnish business delegations for an opening reception at FinnU’s Finnish American Heritage Center during the delegation’s visit to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Click through the album below to check out a few of our favorite moments and make sure to read the full article here!

May 18, 2022

Finlandia University hosts Finnish delegations

Okko-Pekka Salmimies, Consul General of Finland in Los Angeles, arrives at Finlandia University.

Led by Okko-Pekka Salmimies, Consul General of Finland in Los Angeles, two Finnish business delegations visited the Copper Country on Tuesday to advance economic and trade relations and explore partnership opportunities. Finlandia University, the only remaining institution of higher education in the U.S. founded by Finns outside of Finland, hosted the groups for an opening reception at the University’s Finnish American Heritage Center.

“There is a [...]

May 4, 2022

Finlandia honors graduating Class of 2022

On Sunday, May 1, Finlandia University held its annual Spring Commencement Ceremony honoring 84 graduates in the Class of 2022. There was standing room only in the Hirvonen Hall Auditorium with more than 700 in attendance.

In his greeting, President Johnson opened with Finlandia’s Land Acknowledgment:

“Finlandia University was founded as Suomi College by Finnish Lutheran immigrants in 1896 on land ceded by the Anishnaabe people in the Treaty of 1842. We seek to honor and respect the sacred and enduring kinship [...]

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 [...]

March 15, 2022

Finlandia College of Health Sciences announces plans for Towsley Foundation Grant

Since 1998, the Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation has partnered with Finlandia University in providing instrumental funding toward technology and equipment. The Foundation’s most recent expression came as a five-year $220,000 grant to provide a robust, state-of-the-art healthcare education for FinnU College of Health Sciences students at their new facility.

The project started with renovations made to the former Hancock Public Schools building, now named Hirvonen Hall in recognition of the lifetime legacy of leadership and generosity [...]

February 2, 2022

Experience the 125th Anniversary

In December, Finlandia welcomed students, faculty and staff along with alumni, friends and family to a series of events in commemoration of the institution’s 125th anniversary. In honor of its Finnish and Lutheran heritage, Finlandia celebrated Finnish Independence Day for the 104th time at the Finnish American Heritage Center following a Sunday worship service at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock.

The anniversary celebrations didn’t stop on Sunday. In the week following, the Finlandia University Gallery held the 31st Annual Contemporary [...]

December 13, 2021

Finlandia celebrates 125th Anniversary

A semester of celebration culminated on Sunday, Dec. 5 in a full day of dance, musical performances and worship. Dozens of Finlandia University friends and family members gathered to commemorate the institution’s 125th Anniversary alongside the observance of a now 104-year-long tradition, Finnish Independence Day.

David Maki, Interim Director of the Finnish American Heritage Center (FAHC) on Finlandia’s campus, delivered the Independence Day program’s opening remarks.

“Today is another significant milestone in Finlandia University’s history as we celebrate the 125th Anniversary of [...]

October 14, 2021

Johnson to step down after academic year, 16th president in 125 years

On October 6, President Philip Johnson informed the Finlandia University Board of Trustees that he will be stepping down at the end of the current academic year.

In a letter to the trustees, President Johnson wrote, “It has been a profound privilege and deep joy to serve Finlandia’s Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and students. I am confident new leadership will emerge that is able to lead Finlandia toward a more prosperous future.”

Board President, Julie Badel, said the Board accepted, with [...]

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