Tag Archive: social justice task force

September 27, 2021

Jen Fry discusses race and inclusion in higher education at Finlandia

Social justice and anti-racism educator Jen Fry, Owner and CEO of Jen Fry Talks, came to Finlandia University on Sept. 18 to speak with students, faculty and staff in the Hirvonen Auditorium. Fry presents through an anti-racist lens on issues of race, inclusion, intersectionality, diversity and equity.

Fry’s social justice presentation was the kick-off event to ongoing work at Finlandia in the areas of social justice. Finlandia has been sponsoring multi-faceted and interdisciplinary events with the purpose of raising the individual [...]

January 28, 2021

Dr. Virtanen dives into upcoming open class on ‘Racism and White Nationalism in Finland Today’

Dr. Hilary-Joy Virtanen will present the second lecture in the Spring 2021 Anti-Racist Open Classroom Series on Tuesday, February 2 at 4:10 pm. She will be discussing “Racism and White Nationalism in Finland Today” as part of her regularly scheduled History and Culture of Finland course. The event is free and open to the public. Please register here. In anticipation of the event, Dr. Virtanen provided some insight into what participants can expect and why it’s an important [...]

January 15, 2021

Students to participate in social justice webinar with Jen Fry Talks on Jan. 19

Finlandia University students will begin difficult and necessary discussions on social and racial justice with the Jen Fry Talks virtual event on January 19 from 5:45-7:30 p.m. Social Justice Task Force members Nick Kwiek and Shane Voldarski talked with Finlandia Friday s host, Olivia Myers, this week about the upcoming Jen Fry Talks event and what they hope students will learn.

“We knew we needed an educational component to our campus anti-racist work. We decided [...]

November 24, 2020

Social Justice Taskforce hosting training for employees Dec. 1

The President’s Social Justice Taskforce will be hosting a webinar training for all employees by nationally renowned social justice educator Jen Fry. Fry will present “Invisible Playbook: How to Create a Culture of Inclusive Excellence” via Zoom for all FinnU employees on Tuesday, Dec. 1 from 10:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. A zoom link will be sent closer to the day.

“A key expression of the task force’s leadership is to engage the campus in collective [...]

September 16, 2020

US News & World Report Ranks FinnU #12 for Social Mobility

Finlandia Resident Assistants outside of FinnHall | August 2020

Finlandia University has been ranked by US News & World Report as a top university for Social Mobility. Finlandia came in at #12 on the list of universities in the Midwest region.

According to the US News & World Report, economically disadvantaged students are less likely than others to finish college, even when controlling for other characteristics. But some colleges are more successful [...]

September 14, 2020

Finlandia University Gallery to host Zoom reception for Obelleiro exhibit on Sept. 17

Finlandia University Gallery will present the exhibition Who Am I Without Her, Who is She Without Us? by Chicago artist Rita C. Obelleiro at the Finlandia University Gallery, located in the Finnish American Heritage Center (FAHC), Hancock from September 2 to October 9, 2020. Appointments for a private viewing of the exhibit can be made with Gallery Director Carrie Flaspohler at (906) 487-7500 or by email at gallery@finlandia.edu.

A reception with the artist will take place on

social justice task force, cindy cowell, trio

September 4, 2020

The President’s Social Justice Task Force is a Force for Change, Unity

On this week’s episode of Finlandia Fridays, host Olivia Myers is joined by Cindy Cowell and Ronnie Keener, members of the President’s Social Justice Task Force. Cowell is the chair of the task force and director of Finlandia’s TRIO Student Support Services while Keener, a senior studying Sports Management, is a student member.

“The President’s Social Justice Task Force came about after the murder of George Floyd by law enforcement officers this summer,” said Cowell. “President Johnson [...]