Relive Graduation Day 2023 at Finlandia University | Photo Gallery & Livestreams
Finlandia University held its final Spring Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 7, honoring 92 graduates in the Class of 2023. Following commencement, a commendation service was held for Finlandia University students, staff, faculty, alumni, neighbors and friends, commending the University and its 126 years of service.
Full High-Res Photos from Spring 2023 Commencement: On-Demand Livestream of Spring 2023 Commencement: Full High-Res Photos from Service of Commendation:Finlandia honors legacy, Class of 2023 with final commencement and commendation ceremonies
Founded in 1896 as Suomi College, Finlandia University held its final spring commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 7, honoring 92 graduates in the Class of 2023. In March, the University announced the decision to dissolve the institution and not enroll students for the 2023-2024 academic year.
President Timothy Pinnow congratulates student at FinnU’s Spring 2023 Commencement Ceremony.
Delivering the welcome address was Board Trustee Stephen Nikander, whose great-grandfather founded the institution and whose grandfather served [...]
Finlandia to host Service of Commendation Sunday, May 7
Finlandia University’s Spring 2023 Commencement Weekend will culminate on the evening of Sunday, May 7, with a Service of Commendation. The event will be held at 6:00 p.m. in Hirvonen Hall Auditorium.
All Finlandia students, staff, faculty, alumni, neighbors and friends of the University are invited to the service, with hospitality to follow.
“We will take time to hear stories of those who have been impacted by the 126 years of Finlandia, and share stories of our own – as we sing, [...]
‘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 [...]
Bridge Feature: Eld delivers archive in ‘Finnebago’
Former Finnish American Heritage Center (FAHC) director Jim Kurtti traveled to New England in the fall of 2019 and met with multiple donors who made gracious contributions of Finnish American archives to be preserved and shared with the Archive and Center’s visitors. Until now, the archives were stored in New England before they were able to be transported safely by none other than Frank Eld and his famed ‘Finnebego’. On a journey that started in New England, Eld transported [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
North Wind Books to celebrate 30th Anniversary with sales on Dec. 2 & 3
On the shores of Lake Superior in 1991, Patricia Van Pelt opened the Museum Shop at The Eagle Harbor Lighthouse. Patricia’s shop would eventually outgrow the building space. She would relocate the shop to her home in Eagle Harbor and rename it North Wind Books.
Locals and visitors alike sought out her bookshop known for the exquisite collections of local history, local authors and nature titles. Customers would return summer after summer and still, to this day, they reminisce about [...]
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!
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 [...]