Tag Archive: President 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 [...]

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 15, 2021

Party with the Prez!

Article provided by Finlandia University Seaton Center for Vocation & Career.

President Johnson joined first year students in November to play games, share some treats and make connections with those wrapping up their first semester at Finlandia. Sisu Seminar students gathered in the CVC on November 2 and 4 and had the opportunity to win cash by beating the Prez in ping-pong, outsmart him in a round of “To Tell the Truth,” and learn which of their fellow students share President [...]

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 [...]

September 15, 2021

Parade of Nations updates route for 2021

The annual Parade of Nations will take place this Saturday, September 18, starting at 11 a.m. at the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce, across from the miner’s statue in Houghton. The Parade will head down the hill to Lakeshore Drive, past Dee Stadium and follow Lakeshore Drive past Bridgeview Park, ending at Kestner Park. It will not go through downtown Houghton this year.

Nearly 30 countries will be represented by marchers with flags or floats. Richard Koubek, president of Michigan Tech; Philip Johnson, [...]

September 14, 2021

Growth at Finlandia, largest incoming class in five years

This fall, Finlandia University’s overall enrollment grew by six percent with the on-campus student population increasing by nine percent. This full-time-equivalent growth brought 25 more students to campus than in fall 2020, giving Finlandia an enrollment of 430. The fall 2021 incoming class is the largest since 2016 with Finlandia’s International School of Business realizing an all-time high of 137 degree-seeking majors. Nearly 70 percent of Finlandia’s fall 2021 student body is from Michigan and the Upper Great Lakes region [...]

September 10, 2021

President Johnson introduces 125th Anniversary on Finlandia Fridays

President Philip Johnson joins Finlandia Fridays this week to introduce the institution’s upcoming 125th Anniversary celebrations planned for December 3, 4 and 5. Johnson also details the significance of the ceremonial event held this week on September 8 in front of Old Main. For our new listeners, Johnson shares the history of Old Main as well. Don’t wait to listen to the full episode below!

For full access to seasons 1-6 of Finlandia Fridays, please visit our Finlandia Podcast Network!

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 6, 2021

Safe Open Fall 2021 Update

One Community, One Goal FinnU Vacc to School Challenge

We are part of a community here at Finlandia University. Rooted and open, we dedicate ourselves to academic excellence, spiritual growth and service. Finlandia’s number one priority is to carry out this mission by educating its students in a healthy and safe manner.

President Johnson’s message to the Finlandia community reflects this shared priority. We call these measures our FinnU Vacc to School Challenge. A challenge focused on one community, one goal and one [...]

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