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Finlandia Podcast Network

Love podcasts? So do we.

Our love for podcasts is why we’ve introduced the Finlandia Podcast Network. The network is a series of shows by Finlandia University highlighting the amazing people that make up our learning community. Below you’ll find a brief description of each show, and a feed of all episodes. Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify or wherever you download podcasts!

Finlandia Fridays

Finlandia Fridays is an entertaining way to stay up to date with school events, stimulating discussions and student stories. These 5-8 minute excerpts will surely brighten your day and keep you in the FinnU loop. Finlandia Fridays are available most every Friday morning throughout the academic year as a podcast, as well as live on 99.3 FM The Lift. This podcast series is hosted by Jordan Shawhan of Finlandia’s Communications Department.

Voices on Vocation

One’s vocation, or calling, unfolds and evolves over the course of one’s life. For many, this idea of hungering for a life of meaning and purpose begins in the college years. These stories from Finlandia learning community members will inspire students to listen to their own yearnings for a life of purposeful work that honors the unique contributions they have to make to the world. This podcast series is hosted by Dr. René Johnson of Finlandia’s Seaton Center for Vocation & Career.

THIS WEEK IN FINLANDIA ATHLETICS

Initially started by student Travis Cornwell and played over FM radio, This Week in Finlandia Athletics has been re-vamped to be in the FPN line-up. The podcast is an opportunity for Finlandia athletics personnel and athletes to be on a live radio broadcast that is also recorded as a podcast. This Week in Finlandia Athletics is hosted on 99.3 FM The Lift, Tuesdays at 9 a.m and arrives in your podcast feed shortly after.

Finlandia Podcast Network Episodes

Here you will find a full archive of podcasts from the Finlandia Podcast Network!


  • Finlandia University will not enroll students for the 2023-2024 academic year

    Finlandia Logo White Background

    On Thursday, March 2, Finlandia University’s Board of Trustees announced that Finlandia will not enroll students for the 2023-2024 academic year. The decision follows months of continuous efforts to find pathways for the University to continue its mission.

    “I am deeply saddened to announce that due to a combination of demographic changes, with fewer high school graduates available, a steep decrease in interest in going to college among those graduates, and an unbearable debt load, Finlandia’s Board of Trustees met and [...]


  • Kalevalathon 2023: An ‘epic’ discussion with Dr. Hilary-Joy Virtanen

    Kalevalathon 2023 Facebook Cover

    Click here to view event

    Finlandia Fridays is a great way for students, employees and the community to find out about exciting happenings around campus and in the Upper Peninsula. Hosted by Finlandia University’s Communications Department, Finlandia Fridays is an entertaining way to stay up to date with school events, stimulating discussions and student stories. 

    In this week’s episode, Dr. Hilary-Joy Virtanen joins the show to discuss an exciting upcoming event, Kalevalathon. Happening on Tuesday, February 28, this [...]


  • Cowbell Weekend: Men’s Hockey Coach Joe Burcar talks upcoming series on Finlandia Fridays

    Cowbell Weekend

    February 3 & 4 at Houghton County Ice Arena

    In this week’s episode of Finlandia Fridays, Head DIII Hockey Coach Joe Burcar sits down with host Jordan Shawhan to discuss this weekend’s upcoming series against the Marian University Sabres. It’s Cowbell Weekend, and the Lions are looking to pack the house.

    “There’s a lot of young people in town. You’ve got kids playing hockey, there’s a lot of parents in town, and we’re looking forward to getting them at our rink,” [...]


  • Diversity Dinner is back!

    Diversity Dinner 2023 Poster

    Join us February 6-10 at Finlandia Hall Cafe as we celebrate the unique backgrounds of Finlandia’s community with Diversity Dinner!

    CLICK HERE TO SEE MENU

    All are welcome to Diversity Dinner Week 2023! From 4:30 to 7:00 p.m., February 6-10, Finlandia’s Dining Services will be serving up traditional foods from around the world. Dinners are free for Finlandia University students with a meal plan and $10 for everyone else. Proceeds will be used by Finlandia’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion [...]


  • Traveling abroad with Finlandia’s criminal justice program

    Comparative Justice course group photo during summer trip to Finland

    Criminal justice majors have the opportunity to travel abroad to learn more about other justice systems from around the world. From Finland to the former Soviet Union, you are introduced to how social justice is viewed in a different context.

    Following a recent video release highlighting the criminal justice program’s most recent trip, Dr. Richard Gee sits down with the Finlandia Fridays podcast to talk about what opportunities the group had to experience.

    This year’s trip included 14 days of travel [...]


  • Revamped & Refocused: Broadening the scope of a criminal justice program

    Police Cap and Mask

    Finlandia Fridays kicks off 2023 in two-part criminal justice series with Dr. Richard Gee

    Graduates of the Finlandia University Criminal Justice program are sprinkled throughout all layers of the criminal justice system, pursuing careers in safety and security, social work, law, federal service and the police force.

    Ahead of next week’s video release of FinnU’s 2022 Comparative Criminal Justice course trip to Europe, in this episode, Dr. Richard Gee sits down with Finlandia Fridays podcast for part one of [...]


  • Voices on Vocation features alumni Ross Rinkinen (’04) and Travis Hanson (’08)

    Voices on Vocation w Ross Rinkinen & Travis Hanson

    Take time this holiday season to reflect on vocation and meaning with the Seaton Center’s Voices on Vocation podcast!

    Finlandia’s Seaton Center for Vocation & Career guides students through the discovery of self and meaning, bringing unison to both vocation and career. Voices on Vocation, produced by Dr. René Johnson and Emma Dorst of the Seaton Center, is a program that holds in-person discussions as well as podcast segments that share stories from Finlandia learning community members.

    These stories [...]


  • Finlandia Podcast Network joins Spotify

    Finlandia Podcast Network

    Finlandia Fridays, Voices on Vocation podcasts to be featured on new platform

    As another fall semester concludes, the Finlandia Podcast Network sets its sights on what’s to come in the new year. Currently available on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts and TuneIn, the Finlandia Podcast Network is excited to announce that Spotify will become the latest addition to the program’s list of available streaming services.

    The network’s featured series, Finlandia Fridays, will kick off the Spring 2023 line-up with programming on January [...]


  • Finlandia Fridays explore exclusive Ponsse internship for FinnU students

    ISB Dean Kevin Manninen with busines student

    This week on Finlandia Fridays, marketing and management professor Kevin Manninen stopped by to talk about Finlandia’s International School of Business (ISB) and an upcoming internship opportunity for Finlandia students.

    Following an announcement earlier this week, the Ponsse Einari Vidgrén Foundation Internship application period is now open. The internship, exclusive to Finlandia students, features two to three weeks each spent at Ponsse North America in Rhinelander, Wisconsin and Ponsse Plc headquarters in Vieremä, Finland, in May and June 2023.

    With [...]


  • Finlandia Fridays: 2023 Scholarship Packages

    Anthony Schwass

    In last week’s episode of Finlandia Fridays, Dean of Enrollment Anthony Schwass joined the show to discuss FinnU’s all-new Scholarship Calculator. In part two of this featured series, Schwass dives deep into the new scholarship packages offered at Finlandia and what they will provide incoming students.

    “It is simply streamlined now. No longer are scholarships not stackable with each other, if you qualify for a scholarship, you get it, along with all of your other scholarships. Plain and simple,” Schwass [...]


  • Finlandia Fridays: The Scholarship Calculator

    Scholarship Calculator Button

    Understanding the cost of a college education should be easy. So, here to introduce Finlandia’s all-new Scholarship Calculator is Dean of Enrollment Anthony Schwass.

    New to Fall 2022, Finlandia’s Scholarship Calculator provides students with their anticipated scholarship offerings. Schwass explains that in less than a minute, the calculator provides students with their base scholarship amount, and that’s before stacking any Scholarship Add-Ons. All this comes before Federal and State Aid, which you can qualify for after filing your FAFSA [...]


  • Student Spotlight: Senior Marketing & Graphic Design student Madelyn Waterman

    Madelyn Waterman

    Finlandia Lions Women’s Soccer is on its way to conference playoffs. Patrons of Finlandia Athletics can donate and learn more about the Women’s Soccer fundraiser which runs through Nov. 3, by visiting here.

    Joining Finlandia Fridays this week is senior Lions’ Soccer player Madelyn Waterman, who sits down with host Jordan Shawhan for an exciting conversation about FinnU’s Marketing and Graphic Design programs, why she decided to attend Finlandia and what she’s looking forward to most in her final year.

    Like [...]


  • Finlandia Fridays explore PTA Program

    PTA Joint Mobility Class 2022

    The need for skilled rehabilitation services is at an all-time high. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare-related jobs are projected to grow faster than the average for jobs in all fields over the next 10 years. 

    Offering the only Physical Therapist Assistant program in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Finlandia University is here to prepare students for meaningful and rewarding careers in physical therapy. With a fully equipped lab, and boasting a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Finlandia’s PTA program focuses [...]


  • ‘Dr. Cass’ shines spotlight on arts, sciences & design programs

    Dr. Cassandra Hill

    With her first semester at Finlandia halfway complete, Dr. Cassandra Hill stopped by the set of Finlandia Fridays this week for an exciting conversation. Hill, dean of Finlandia’s Suomi College of Arts & Sciences and interim dean of the International School of Art & Design, discusses several topics, including what brought her to Finlandia and her innovative vision for the arts, sciences and design programs at FinnU.

    While the Keweenaw Peninsula and its many outdoor recreational opportunities may undoubtedly add to [...]


  • Focusing on Mental Health Awareness Week, Oct. 2 – 8

    Mental Health Awareness Week Fall 2022

    Sabrina Loven-Gulick joins Finlandia Fridays this week to share news of an upcoming on-campus initiative, Mental Health Awareness Week, happening Sunday, October 2, through Saturday, October 8.

    Loven-Gulick, a personal counselor and academic coach for Trio Student Support Services (SSS) at Finlandia University, kicks things off by sharing insight into a few TRIO SSS topics, such as eligibility, participation, and the types of things she does for her role.

    “When you hear personal counseling, it’s therapy. It’s me being here for the [...]


  • Student Senate invites ideas for Mannerheim Central project

    Allison Cooper

    Student Senate President Allison Cooper visited Finlandia Fridays this week to talk about a few upcoming initiatives the group has planned, including the transformation of Mannerheim Central. 

    Cooper shared that on the next two upcoming Tuesdays, September 20 and September 27, Student Senate will be stationed outside Finlandia Hall Café from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to hear student opinions on what they would like to see done with the open space in Mannerheim Central. 

    “It’s important for students to give us [...]


  • Creating Community: Hilterbrand shares vision on Finlandia Fridays

    Orientation 2022 with Alex Hilterbrand

    Hilterbrand, joined by Riku F. Lion and members of the Lions Football Team at New Student Move-In Day 2022.

    In this week’s episode of Finlandia Fridays, Director of Student Engagement and interim Residence Life Coordinator, Alex Hilterbrand, joins the show to talk about student engagement, upcoming campus events, and FinnU clubs and organizations.

    “My goal is to create this real sense of community, this real sense of vibrancy, this real sense of identity here at Finlandia, and do that by [...]


  • Finlandia Fridays Season 7 Premiere with President Tim Pinnow

    Timothy Pinnow

    Welcome back to Finlandia Fridays!

    In this Season 7 premiere episode, Finlandia’s new president, Tim Pinnow, joins the show for an exciting conversation with host Jordan Shawhan. The pair discuss a variety of topics including Pinnow’s vision for Finlandia and his excitement for the fall semester to begin.

    “I hope that Finlandia University continues to be a small university in the middle of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula that speaks to students’ needs; that offers students an opportunity to really get to know [...]


  • Paver joins FinnU as new Social Media Specialist

    Deb Paver Headshot Photo

    Deb Paver has joined Finlandia’s Marketing & Communications Department as the University’s new Social Media Specialist. While higher education is a fresh industry for her, marketing and social media have been her realm of work for the past five years. Along with previous photo, design and marketing freelance work, Paver most recently served as marketing manager for a brewery near her hometown of Grand Rapids.

    She lived alongside the Flying Dutchmen at Hope College while studying for her undergrad, receiving a [...]


  • Nursing Major, Arty Puntus, named 2022 Student Representative

    Artsiom Arty Puntus

    With graduation less than a month away, the Class of 2022 Student Representative, Arty Puntus, caught up with host Jordan Shawhan to talk about his time at Finlandia. Puntus, originally from Minsk, Belarus, will be earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

    An active member of Finlandia’s student leadership and nursing programs, Puntus has served as Student Senate President since 2020, a Student Ambassador with Finlandia Admissions, an ALD Honors Society Member, the V.P. of FinnU’s [...]


  • The International Student Experience with Arty Puntus

    Artsiom Arty Puntus

    Senior nursing major Arty Puntus is an international student from Belarus that currently serves as Finlandia University’s Student Senate President, a Student Ambassador with the Admissions Office, ALD Honors Society Member, the V.P. of FinnU’s Student Nurses Association and an Orientation Leader. Pausing his busy schedule for a few moments of reflection, Puntus joins Finlandia Fridays this week to talk about his journey as an international student at Finlandia, why he chose FinnU, his experience in the [...]


  • Student Nurses Association president presents 20th annual benefit for Omega House

    Haley Wright SNA Blood Drive

    Finlandia University’s Student Nurses Association (FUSNA) is celebrating its 20th annual benefit for Omega House on April 2. What began in 2002 as a spaghetti dinner has become one of the most popular pancake breakfasts in the Western U.P.

    On this week’s episode of Finlandia Fridays, senior nursing student and Student Nurses Association president Haley Wright joins the show to talk about the upcoming benefit breakfast that has raised more than $25,000 for Omega House.

    “They are a hospice house, so people [...]


  • Skijoring and Scholarships with Kat Hanson

    Kat Hanson

    The Lake Effect Scholarship is here!

    This week, Enrollment Counselor Kat Hanson skijors by the Finlandia Fridays set to talk with host Jordan Shawhan about the new Lake Effect Scholarship, which allows eligible commuting and on-campus living students to enjoy the benefits of cost-sharing education. Commuting students will have tuition reduced to $2,500 per year, earning their full bachelor’s degree for $10,000.

    “For students who want to live on campus, they pay a little bit extra in room and [...]


  • Student PTA Club President presents March 12 fundraiser Soup for Soles

    PTA Club Soup for Soles

    In this week’s episode of Finlandia Fridays, Student PTA Club President Tabin Filizetti joins the show to talk about Soup for Soles. The PTA Club fundraiser, being held tomorrow, March 12 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Finnish American Heritage Center, aims to provide shoes to local children in need and donate proceeds to the national non-profit organization Shoes4Kids.

    “We’re selling tickets right now or you can buy tickets at the door,” Filizetti said. “Soup for Soles is the [...]


  • FinnU Shark Day hosting local students for entrepreneurship competition

    Shark Day Logo Transparent

    On this week’s episode of Finlandia Fridays, Education Partner Manager and Dual Enrollment Advisor Lauren Huested joins the show to talk about FinnU Shark Day. A play on the show Shark Tank, the March 9 event focuses on teaching students in their junior and senior years about entrepreneurship, creativity, working in a team and public speaking skills. The final winners will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship to attend Finlandia to be used in the fall of 2022 [...]


  • Investment Lab offers new opportunities for FinnU students

    Anders Saarela & Michael Stuber-1

    Finlandia’s all-new investment lab is putting the call out for additional members. In this week’s episode, FinnU International School of Business senior Accounting students Anders Saarela and Michael Stuber join the show to talk about their experience in the new student organization.

    “I believe it was October of last semester when it first got initiated. It’s for any Finlandia students and staff that are interested in attending,” Saarela said. “Whether you’re a nursing major, art major, business major, [...]


  • You are not Alone: Mental Health Awareness Week with Pastor Sarah Semmler Smith

    Mental Health Awareness Events

    On this episode of Finlandia Fridays, Campus Pastor Sarah Semmler Smith sits down with the team to talk about the upcoming Mental Health Awareness week happening on campus from Feb. 6 – 12. Finlandia Lions Women’s Basketball squad will be kicking off the week of events at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 6 with a “green out” in the gym to raise awareness of mental health and the importance of support.

    “My call here as a pastor is really to [...]


  • Meet Luke Morrill, V.P. of Student Development and Dean of Students

    luke-morrill-headshot

    On this episode of Finlandia Fridays, Luke Morrill, FinnU’s V.P. of Student Development and Dean of Students, talks with host Jordan Shawhan about his new role at the university. Luke joins FinnU after serving as Dean of Students and V.P. for Student Affairs at the University of the Ozarks, AR.

    Morrill’s role provides leadership and guidance to areas that mainly fall outside of the classroom such as student life, policies, dining services, campus security and student engagement.

    “Our newest edition to [...]


  • MLK Day of Service postponed

    mlk day of service

    MLK Day of Service at Finlandia University is a day to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. through community service and volunteering. This year, out of an abundance of caution due to COVID-19, MLK Day activities originally scheduled for Monday, Jan. 17 have been postponed. Martin Luther King Day will still be a day of observance and classes will be suspended for the day.

    Before the announcement, Finlandia Fridays met with Assistant Professor of Management and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee member [...]


  • Enrollment Counselor Jason Dart introduces Early Bird Scholarship on Finlandia Fridays

    Jason dart admissions

    Eager to talk about the new Early Bird Scholarship, Finlandia Fridays bring on Enrollment Counselor Jason Dart to discuss topics like “Who can apply?”, Finlandia’s expedited admissions process and tips for how students and families can maximize their financial aid opportunities. Announced earlier this week, the Fall 2022 Early Bird Scholarship is a new, one-time $500 scholarship for students who apply and submit their transcripts by Jan. 1.

    “It’s $500 for doing something you have to do anyway. Everybody has to [...]


  • Finlandia Fridays meet up with instructor Sami Dowling (’10) to discuss PTA Program and Club

    Sami Dowling

    This week, Finlandia Fridays welcome to the show PTA Program Instructor Sami Dowling (’10) to talk about Finlandia’s PTA Program and the newly revitalized PTA Club for students. Dowling shares her journey as a FinnU student, what inspired her to become a PTA as well as her journey back to Finlandia as an instructor.

    “The beautiful thing about Finlandia is that it’s like a family. I’m still in touch with my instructors from when I was in the program. [...]


  • Support our students this Giving Tuesday

    Jordan Shawhan

    Giving Tuesday is only days away!

    Jordan Shawhan joins this week’s host Haley Goodreau to talk about the special day of giving dedicated to raising money for student scholarships. Shawhan and Goodreau discuss what to expect from Giving Tuesday as well as the life-long meaningful impact these donations have on FinnU student lives.

    “All the money raised is going directly toward student scholarships. Those are need-based scholarships, we have a whole list of scholarships that money goes to on [...]


  • Kailee Laplander presents Finlandia’s upcoming 125th Anniversary on Finlandia Fridays

    Kailee Laplander

    This week on Finlandia Fridays, new Executive Assistant to the President, Kailee Laplander, joins the show to talk about Finlandia’s upcoming 125th Anniversary celebrations on December 3, 4 and 5. For the first time, Laplander dives into these three special days of storytelling, Folk School workshops, art, worship and musical performances. The weekend culminates on Sunday with a special edition program of Finlandia’s Annual Finnish Independence Day Observance.

    “We are coming together to celebrate our 125 years through several events between [...]


  • Finlandia Fridays explore the Jutila Center with Cyril FoxPetrov

    This week, Finlandia Fridays welcomes Business Office Controller Cyril FoxPetrov to explore Finlandia’s Lily I. Jutila Center for Global Design and Business. The Center, located on the scenic banks of the Portage Canal, is less than a mile from Finlandia’s main campus and serves as a place of cultivation for students, faculty, staff and industry to learn and thrive.

    The building houses several University departments including the Business Office, Marketing & Communications, Human Resources and Finlandia’s International School of [...]


  • Finlandia to offer Online RN-BSN at $7,500: Learning more with Sherry Wyeth

    This week on Finlandia Fridays, host Jordan Shawhan is joined by Enrollment Counselor Sherry Wyeth to talk about Finlandia’s Online RN-BSN completion track program. The award-winning program recently announced a price drop to a total out-of-pocket tuition cost of $7,500, or $250 per credit hour.

    “This program is for working nurses, so if you’re an ADN already working in a clinic, hospital environment or long-term care, this is a great program for you,” Wyeth said. “Classes are eight weeks long and [...]


  • Dean of Enrollment talks 60 in 60 on Finlandia Fridays

    Dean of Enrollment Anthony Schwass joins Finlandia Fridays this week to talk about the admissions team’s new campaign, 60 in 60.

    “There are roughly 60 high schools and career technical education centers, or CTE’s, in the U.P. and we’re planning on visiting them all in 60 days,” Schwass said. “We aren’t just popping in once and not coming back until the next year. Our plan is really to build the relationships we have with these local schools into true partnerships.”

    Education [...]


  • Fulbright Scholar Samuli Korkalainen joins Finlandia Fridays

    Visiting from Finland and hosted by Finlandia’s Finnish & Nordic Studies program, Doctor of Music Samuli Korkalainen joins Finlandia Fridays this week to talk about his experience in the Keweenaw and the reason for his visit to the Upper Peninsula. Known by most as Samppa, Korkalainen was visiting the university as a post-doctoral Fulbright Scholar while conducting research at the Finnish American Archives. What brings Korkalainen all the way to Finlandia? Spiritual music in Finnish American communities from the 1860’s [...]


  • Exploring the International School of Business with Dean Kevin Manninen

    Joining Finlandia Fridays this week is Kevin Manninen, dean and associate professor of management and marketing with the International School of Business at Finlandia University. Manninen shares insight into what it’s like being a business student at Finlandia and what advantages there are through small class sizes and experiential learning at the institution such as internship opportunities, international collaboration and hands-on project management experience. Manninen talks about what majors and minors are offered through the International School of Business [...]


  • Finlandia Fridays hosts Nick Kwiek to talk Parade of Nations and TRIO SSS

    Nick Kwiek, Career Coach with TRIO Student Support Services at Finlandia University, joined Finlandia Fridays this week to talk about the Parade of Nations, a multicultural festival celebrated in the cities of Hancock and Houghton. Kwiek talks about the change in programming and route of this year’s parade and shares information on how students, employees and community members can get involved. The conversation opens with Kwiek discussing the role of TRIO Student Support Services at Finlandia University and then dives [...]


  • 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 Fridays with Pastor Sarah Semmler Smith

    This week on Finlandia Fridays, campus Pastor Sarah Semmler Smith joins Season 6 host, Jordan Shawhan, to speak about all that is happening this fall at the Chapel of St. Matthew. Semmler Smith talks about the resources, both spiritual and tangible, that she and St. Matt’s can provide as well as the ways for students to get involved or reach out to her anytime they are in need.

    “In some ways, you can think of me as the spiritual support animal of [...]


  • Finlandia Fridays welcomes senior Nursing student Malone Hiebert for Fall 2021 Welcome Week

    Finlandia Fridays starts Season 6 by interviewing highly involved senior nursing student Malone Hiebert. She is an RA, orientation leader, student ambassador, Sisu leader, volleyball player, softball player, Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society senior advisor and a member of the Academic Families for Nursing program. Listen to the episode to learn more about Malone and Welcome Week at Finlandia for Fall 2021.

    Finlandia University Podcast Network · May 3

    FinnU Overview Episode 3: What’s there to do in Hancock, anyway? Part 2

    FinnU Overview have released their third episode! If you haven’t already listened, head over to our Finlandia Podcast Network and tune-in to hosts Jakob Vettori (Marketing) and Joe Watson (Accounting) who pick up where they left off last episode on the topic of things to do in the Keweenaw. This time winter activities are highlighted and in an action-packed episode the hosts feature the “building of the week”, Mannerheim Hall. Vettori and Watson also find time to [...]


  • FinnU Overview Episode 2: What’s there to do in Hancock, anyway?

    In their second episode, FinnU Overview hosts and International School of Business students Jakob Vettori (Marketing) and Joe Watson (Accounting) make the case for staying in the Keweenaw over the summer. The pair also highlighted Finlandia Hall as the ‘Building of the Week’ and talked about the amenities it provides students, as well as #CrushCOVID Week, happening now.

    “In the summer you can go on a hike and see the views,” said Vettori about Hungarian Falls. [...]


  • Finlandia Fridays Welcomes FinnU Overview to Finlandia Podcast Network

    This week on Finlandia Fridays, International School of Business students Jakob Vettori (Marketing) and Joseph Watson (Accounting) talk about their new student-run podcast, FinnU Overview.

    Vettori and Watson talk about how a business class project led to this exciting opportunity to be featured on the official Finlandia University Podcast Network after being discovered by Finlandia Fridays host, Olivia Myers. The pair, who are both originally from Hancock, hope the new student-run podcast will provide insight into [...]


  • Business students launch new student-run podcast, FinnU Overview

    The Finlandia Podcast Network is adding a new show to it’s repertoire thanks to two International School of Business students.

    FinnU Overview will share what it’s like to be a student at Finlandia University. The show is completely student-run and recorded and edited by hosts Jakob Vettori (Marketing) and Joe Watson (Accounting). In the first episode of FinnU Overview, which dropped March 25, Vettori and Watson, two life-long friends and Hancock natives, introduce themselves, the show [...]


  • Reflecting on one year with COVID-19

    Finlandia’s Dean of Students, Erin Barnett, joined Finlandia Fridays host Olivia Myers this week to reflect on Finlandia’s year with COVID-19 and what the future has in store for the university.

    “One thing I’ve learned is that we’re all so much more resilient than maybe we thought when all this started,” said Barnett. “We learned a lot during the fall semester about communication about masking, social distancing, how to set up our classrooms, teach online and learn online. Going into [...]


  • Maki Library offers more than books for students

    It’s a place most students will visit more than once in their college career – the library. While Finlandia’s Maki Library houses thousands of books and provides a great space to study, there’s more than meets the eye. Assistant Librarian Dana Pakulski stopped by Finlandia Fridays this week to do a deeper dive into what the Maki Library has to offer students.

    “A lot of public libraries have programming and build a community, and that has become a huge [...]


  • Finlandia Fridays Dives Into the Finlandia Gallery ISAD Faculty Exhibit

    Mornings, 2021, Adobe Illustrator by Tom Adolphs

    The International School of Art & Design 2021 Faculty Exhibit is on display now at the Finlandia University Gallery. Gallery Director Carrie Flaspohler joined Olivia Myers on Finlandia Fridays to talk about the exhibit and upcoming artist reception.

    Retired professor Phyllis Fredendall showcasing her pieces that are in the exhibit

    Recent works by full-time, adjunct and emeritus faculty representing a diverse range of media and concepts will be on display. [...]


  • The Seaton Center for Vocation & Career is officially open

    It’s a moment campus has been waiting for since the news originally broke in 2019. The Seaton Center for Vocation & Career is officially open and housed in Nikander 15. While there are still some furniture pieces coming in and decorating to be completed, the CVC is now offering services and appointment to students.

    Director of Career Services Emma Dorst stopped by Finlandia Fridays to talk about the official launch of the CVC, what services students can take [...]


  • TRIO STEAM Saturdays pilot program tackles social justice for high schoolers

    TRIO Pre-College programs Online Advisor Kailee Laplander stopped by Finlandia Fridays to discuss a new pilot program that 10 lucky western UP high schoolers will be a part of this spring semester. The STEAM Saturdays program focuses on connecting students from across the country who are interested in social justice and careers and STEAM in a monthly e-meeting. The program will be piloted with 20 TRIO Pre-College programs from across the country and give students the [...]


  • Dr. Jason Oyadomari talks about new MSW pathway with NMU on Finlandia Fridays

    This week on Finlandia Fridays, Dean of the Suomi College of Arts & Sciences Dr. Jason Oyadomari talked about the new articulation agreement between FinnU and Northern Michigan University that will provide a clear pathway for students interested in pursing a Master’s of Social Work degree.

    “We developed this partnership so that any students in those Psychology, Sociology or Criminal Justice majors can then qualify for what we’re calling the Early Assurance Program into [...]


  • 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 Fridays 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 [...]


  • Goodman, Gonzalez talk fall esports success, announce new arena

    ECAC Fall FIFA finalist, Chelan Gonzalez, and Esports Coach, Thomas Goodman, called into Finlandia Fridays this week to talk about the team’s success in their first season, how they managed to play through COVID restrictions and what they’re looking forward to in 2021 with their new arena.

    Gonzalez, a sophomore Psychology major from Tecumseh, Mich. was recruited by Goodman through the men’s soccer program. As the fall sports teams weren’t allowed to compete due to COVID-19, [...]


  • Exploring the History of American Presidential Elections with Dr. Knoblauch

    voting, election, vote

    Dr. William Knoblauch, History Professor

    Finlandia Fridays is back this week with a special election edition. Host Olivia Myers talks with Finlandia History Professor Dr. William Knoblauch about the history of American presidential elections. Listeners submitted questions for Knoblauch to answer including ‘how important is the electoral college?’, ‘what happens if there’s a tie?’, and what other election seasons this one can be compared to. 

    “History is the act of asking why something happened and constructing an argument [...]


  • Don’t Throw Away Your Shot! Finlandia Fridays Talks About the Flu Shot Clinic

    “I’m not throwing away my shot,” sang Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton in the hit musical “Hamilton.” While Miranda wasn’t referring to a flu shot per-say, it is important not to forgo your flu shot this year. To make it easier to obtain, Finlandia University’s Wellness Committee will have influenza vaccines available for the Finlandia community on Monday, Oct. 12 from 3-5p.m in Nikander 14A.

    Talking about the Flu Shot Clinic on Finlandia Fridays this week was Assistant Professor [...]


  • A Match Made in Research Heaven: The Sociologist and the Census

    It’s a tale as old as time. Or rather, just as old as the United States Census. No, it’s not Beauty and the Beast, but it is a match made in research heaven: the sociologist and the census.

    To talk about this perfect pair, Finlandia Fridays host Olivia Myers talks with Finlandia’s Sociology Professor, Dr. Michael Reay. Dr. Reay goes into detail about the difference between sociology and psychology (the collective versus the individual) and how the


  • Leading the Pride learns about becoming your own hero with Schwartzen Précil (‘17)

    Schwartzen Precil

    Leading the Pride kicks off 2020 with Management and Entrepreneurship alumnus Schwartzen Précil (‘17). Located in Buffalo,NY, Précil is currently a site director at the Boys and Girls Club of America.On campus, Précil was a member of the men’s basketball team, helped students as a resident assistant, assisted with orientation as an orientation leader and led the Black Student Union as president.

    Taking into account his life experiences and using his on-campus leadership experiences,  Précil recently wrote and published a [...]


  • How FinnU’s Servant Leadership Program Changed the Course of Amanda Maleche’s (’12) Life

    Amanda Maleche Family

    Amanda Maleche (’12) with her husband, a Michigan Tech alumnus, and three daughters. Maleche connected with her husband, who is from Kenya, over her passion for African culture after having gone on the Service Learning Trip to Tanzania through FinnU.

    Leading the Pride continues in the month of October by talking with Liberal Arts alumna and Executive Director at Anthology Senior Living, Amanda Maleche (’12). Maleche, who transferred to FinnU after two years at the University of Michigan-Flint [...]


  • Lion Around with Lion Pride President Blue Kenwood

    This week’s Lion Around brings you your new host Anastazia Hartman. Hartman is joined by Blue Kenwood a Junior Art and Design student focused on Intermedia, who is also Resident Assistant here at FinnU, to talk about a group on campus called Lion Pride.

    Kenwood is the president of Lion Pride, which started one year ago after Campus Read author Lindsay King Miller came to FinnU to speak about her book, “Ask a Queer Chick; a Guide to [...]


  • Lindsey Johnson’s Finnish Adventures

    This week on Finlandia Fridays, management and entrepreneurship Senior, Lindsey Johnson joins hosts Olivia Myers and Devin O’Neill to discuss her summer marketing internship here in Hancock and her study abroad experience in Finland. 

    Johnson, no stranger to Finlandia Fridays, was a guest last spring previewing her upcoming plans for the summer. Now that she’s back she was excited to share her experience.

    Over the summer, Johnson had the opportunity to intern with Marko Luoma, who opened [...]


  • Mariah Dunham Gets Pumped for Homecoming

    This week on Finlandia Fridays, head women’s basketball coach Mariah Dunham stopped by to talk with Olivia Myers about next week’s homecoming festivities.

    This is Dunham’s second time on Finlandia Fridays, but her first discussing the activities surrounding homecoming after playing a multitude of roles in last years event. 

    “I thought it went really well last year, said Dunham “ I’m back this year to help on what we can do to organize a [...]


  • Previewing “By Faith” with Karin Van Dyke

    This week Finlandia Fridays was visited by Vice President for Advancement Karin Van Dyke to tell us all about By Faith and the events that will be happening this upcoming weekend. Van Dyke also discusses Parade of Nations and the history surrounding the event.

    By Faith is an event that is happening throughout the weekend. The purpose is to recognize the 140 alumni graduates of the Suomi Seminary from 1904-1958. The seminary is the origins of Suomi College, now Finlandia University. [...]


  • Lion Around is Back for Season Two

    New Host Julia Nordstrom suggests places to explore in the Keweenaw

    With a start of the 2019-2020 school year, Finlandia University is starting a new season of Lion Around, a student-run podcast.

    This semester Lion Around will be hosted by junior Julia Nordstrom. Nordstrom is a majoring in marketing. On this week’s episode we are joined by Anastazia Hartman. Hartman is the new social and digital media specialist in the Communications Department at FinnU.

    How many people ask “What is there to [...]


  • Kicking the Season Off with Grace Sokolow

    Finlandia Fridays is back and kicks off season 4 with new Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Grace Sokolow. Hired this past July, Sokolow talks about her move to Finlandia, her coaching background, as well as her expectations for the rest of the season.

    Sokolow played Divison III soccer at Vassar College. Upon graduating and doing some soul searching she realized the soccer field was the place she wanted to be. She took a job as an assistant soccer [...]


  • Award-winning author Joan Treppa (’83) talks true crime on Leading the Pride

    joan treppa alumni

    Leading the Pride is back for a second season this month and kicking things off with author Joan Treppa (’83). Treppa, who studied Human Services and is originally from Laurium, is an award-winning author of the true crime book Reclaiming Lives: Pursuing Justice for Six Innocent Men, which details the Monfils 6 case and six men who were wrongfully convicted of murdering their coworker at a Wisconsin paper mill in the 1990s. [...]


  • Meet the new co-hosts of Finlandia Fridays

    Finlandia Fridays is back with a special edition today as Olivia Myers and Devin O’Neill were introduced as cohosts of the weekly interview series. O’Neill and Myers will taking over for season four, taking turns interviewing guests.

    Meet Olivia Myers

    Myers currently serves as Coordinator of External Affairs, where she leads all alumni relations efforts. Since joining Finlandia she’s introduced a formal homecoming weekend, introduced an incredibly successful Giving Tuesday campaign and worked with the Finlandia Alumni Board to host the [...]


  • PTA alumna, Brigitte LaPointe (’07), talks career success, sports on Leading the Pride

    Brigitte LaPointe Leading the Pride

    Leading the Pride is back and talking with Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Upper Peninsula Health Plan, Brigitte LaPointe (’07). LaPointe is originally from Baraga where she grew up in the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. She ultimately came to Finlandia to study in the Physical Therapist Assistant program and play for the women’s basketball team.

    Following her passion for health and wellness, LaPointe also serves on the


  • Digital Artist Ashlee Kranz (’16) talks freelancing as a career on Leading the Pride

    Leading the Pride continues in the month of June by talking with Digital Arts and Animation major, Ashlee Kranz (’16). Kranz is a freelance digital and graphic artist at her own company, Dream Chaser Studios in Goodman, WI. She has recently been involved with the movie series, Northbound, which is filmed in the UP.

    Listen as host Olivia Myers and Kranz talk about freelancing as a career choice, the lessons she’s learned from martial arts, and the offers artists [...]


  • Crying Around; Lion Around’s Senior Send Off

    Gina Geliche and Monica Freeman celebrating their senior send off

    Back from their hiatus, Lion Around hosts Gina Geliche and Monica Freeman are finishing off their year with the send-off episode. Recorded where graduation takes place, the Paavo Nurmi Center, Freeman and Geliche recall what they have learned throughout their collegiate career.

    Experience is the best teacher

    One of the first points that Freeman and Geliche make, they knew prior to their time at FinnU.  However, Freeman stated that through her experiences in college, the idea [...]


  • She Shoots, She Scores with Student Representative Haley Makela

    Haley Makela and Monica Freeman for Finlandia Fridays

    It’s graduation season at FinnU! Student representative, Haley Makela stopped by Finlandia Fridays this week to talk about her experiences as an active member on campus. Featuring guest host Monica Freeman, the two soon-to-be-graduates discussed their excitement to graduate. “I’m very thankful to be done,” remarked Makela, “it’s been a long four years.”

    “It’s a great honor to be selected as the student representative. It’s something I have strived for since my freshman year,” said Makela.

    A local from Atlantic [...]


  • Leading the Pride talks hockey, career success with Alumnus Lukas Alberer (’08)

    Lukas 2

    Leading the Pride continues this month by talking with Austrian Lukas Alberer (’08). Alberer, a Sports Management major and former hockey player for the Lions, currently works at Johnson & Johnson-Ethicon in Austria as a Business Development Manager.

    Listen as host Olivia Myers and Alberer talk about his decision to move to the United States to play hockey, the struggle of losing one’s identity as an athlete after college [...]


  • Previewing Diploma Works with Senior Miranda Conroy

    Miranda Conroy showing off her Diploma Works project

    Finlandia Fridays was visited this week by senior intermedia student, Miranda Conroy. Hailing from Ishpeming, Conroy will have her final undergraduate work featured with the rest of the graduating art students in this year’s Bachelor of Fine Arts Diploma Works exhibition. The exhibition will take place on Saturday, May 4 at 7 p.m. in the Finnish American Heritage Center.

    The Diploma Works exhibition is the final event before graduation for the senior art students. The show features [...]


  • Digging into Diversity Dinner with Dewan Keeling

    Dewan Keeling and Michael H Babcock

    Black Student Union President Dewan Keeling dropped by Finlandia Fridays this week to talk about his experiences at FinnU and the upcoming Diversity Dinner.  Keeling is a junior from Detroit, who is majoring in healthcare management.

    “The Diversity Dinner is where our students can come and get together to make dishes that replicate where they are from,” stated Keeling. “It’s a way to make them feel more at home.”

    Boasting a broad variety of dishes, the event is not only [...]


  • Blast from the Past with Suomi College Alum, Detective Clem Papineau

    Clem Papineau with Michael Babcock

    Suomi College alum, Clem Papineau visited Finlandia Fridays this week to talk about his time in the Keweenaw.

    Originally from Ontonagon, Papineau initially planned on going to Michigan State University. Papineau was approached by Suomi’s basketball coach at the time to play basketball. After looking into the school, Papineau said he was instantly hooked. Papineau ended up attending Suomi, but did not end up playing basketball.

    Papineau chose to study Criminal Justice because from a young age, he knew he wanted [...]


  • Taste for Opportunity with Junior Business Student Lindsey Johnson

    Lindsey Johnson for Finlandia Fridays

    This week junior Lindsey Johnson dropped by Finlandia Fridays to talk about her active presence on campus. Coming from Atlantic Mine, Johnson is studying management and entrepreneurship.

    Johnson will be starting an internship with FinnU alum, Marko Luoma, within the next several months. The internship will take place in the FinnZone, which is located on the third floor of the Jutila Center. Johnson will be helping Finnish and American businesses coordinate [...]


  • Owner of This is Folklore Hat Co. John Fish (’10) featured on Leading the Pride

    Leading the Pride continues this month by talking with International School of Art and Design alumnus, John Fish (’10). Fish, originally from Iron River, MI, came to Finlandia as a graphic design major to learn how to apply graphics to skateboards. During his time at Finlandia, he spent a large amount of time in the fiber studio and wood shop because he enjoyed building and working with his hands. Having graduated in the midst of a recession, Fish [...]


  • Exploring the Digital Classroom with Dr. Michelle Rauch

    Dr. Rauch showing Michael Babcock Finlandia's online programs

    Dr. Michelle Rauch dropped by Finlandia University, as well as Finlandia Fridays, for this week’s episode. Dr. Rauch was hired as Director of Innovative and Online Learning in the fall, and will be moving to campus more this upcoming year.

    Rauch stated that her goal is “to make sure that the online classrooms are consistent with the traditional classroom. The person should feel the experience of the in-person class and be part of a collaborative community.” FinnU has offered an [...]


  • Going Global with Ponsse Chairman Juha Vidgrén

    Juha Vidgren of Ponsse presenting at Finlandia University

    Guest host Briana Gorman was visited on Finlandia Fridays this week by Juha Vidgrén, chairman of the board for Ponsse. Ponsse is a Finnish-based company that builds logging equipment.

    The company was started in 1970 by Vidgrén’s father, who started out as a farmer that did logging on the weekends. Moving full-time into logging, Vidgrén’s father started to buy old farm equipment to help with the job. Because the equipment consistently broke, [...]


  • Six Tips for Crushing it on LinkedIn by Lion Around Podcast

    Lion Around logo

    Monica Freeman and Gina Geliche are back this week with a new episode of Lion Around. Recording on the Finlandia Fridays set, the co-hosts are joined by Haley Makela and Samantha Richards. Makela, a senior marketing major from Atlantic Mine, was featured on the “What Does Your Major Do” episode earlier this semester. Richards is a senior accounting major from Dollar Bay. Geliche, Freeman and Makela will all graduate in the spring, [...]


  • Stepping Up to the Plate with Denia Bent and Joey Krug

    Denia Bent and Joey Krug pitching for Finlandia Fridays

    With spring break around the corner, Finlandia Fridays was visited by softball player Denia Bent and baseball player Joey Krug. Heading to Florida for the annual spring break games, guest host Briana Gorman talked to Bent and Krug about their upcoming seasons.

    From Cape Coral, Florida, Bent is a junior majoring in graphic design. Outside of softball, Bent is a member of student senate and is a work study in the communications department. Krug hails from San [...]


  • Leading the Pride features Darlene King (’90), Executive Director for the Michigan Diversity Council

    Finlandia’s alumni podcast Leading the Pride is back this month with the Executive Director of the Michigan Diversity Council, Darlene King (’90). Having grown up downstate in a predominately black community with ambitions of attending a historically black college, King’s parents insisted she attend Suomi College in an effort to expose her to a different culture. King recalls begging to come home in the first few weeks of class, but ultimately dove into the [...]


  • Going International with Director of Global Initiatives Cat Fuller

    Cat Fuller and Michael Babcock for Finlandia Fridays

    Finlandia Fridays crosses borders this week with Director of Global Initiatives Cat Fuller. Member of the FinnU family since September, Fuller describes her job as “dealing with everything international.” Fuller deals with international recruitment, study abroad, and assisting faculty members who want to run their own programs abroad or do research abroad.

    Fuller’s first semester saw her overseas, visiting China, the Netherlands and Finland. In China, Fuller visited area high schools to recruit students and attended a fair in Beijing. [...]


  • Junior Emily Nguyen Discusses Ambassador Program

    Emily Nguyen shows Michael Babcock how to use UniBuddy

    Emily Nguyen dropped by Finlandia Fridays this week to share her experiences as a student ambassador.

    Nguyen is a junior studying criminal justice as FinnU. Hailing from Chino Hills, California, Nguyen stumbled upon FinnU when she was contacted to join the Finlandia Lions NCAA Division III softball team. With many successes within the past three years, the Lions look to continue the success setting their sights on a bid at the national tournament berth.

    Outside of studying criminal justice [...]


  • Lion Around Podcast’s Single Pringles Create Dating Profiles

    Lion Around logo

    Most people will admit that dating is hard, and dating in college is even harder, at least for some. Nowadays, dating apps are prevalent in college dating culture. Resident single ladies and hosts Monica Freeman and Gina Geliche decided to see if dating apps were truly worth the hype by creating profiles.

    Freeman starts the podcast off by mentioning how the idea initially came about. After recording the previous episode, Freeman and Geliche were discussing what the next podcast should be [...]


  • Love is in the air with Valentine’s Day special of Finlandia Fridays

    Feeling the love at Fin-LOVE-dia

    Finlandia Fridays is feeling the love this week. Dubbed “Fin-LOVE-dia” Fridays for the Valentine’s Day special, students Tyler Kangas and Zuleiki Wight visited to share their “Fin-LOVE-dia” story.

    Kangas is a senior nursing student from Manistique. Captain of the football team, Kangas is also a resident assistant (RA). Originally starting his college career at Northern Michigan, Kangas heard of FinnU’s nursing program and the new football team, which led to his transfer. Being a part of the [...]


  • Taking account of the accounting program with Laura Sieders

    Laura Sieders with Michael Babcock

    This week on Finlandia Fridays, accounting instructor Laura Sieders stopped by to talk about the accounting degree offered here at FinnU.

    Following the standard requirements to be a CPA , the courses at FinnU prepare students to go into their fifth year of accounting and to go on and take the CPA exam The small class size sets the degree program apart from larger schools. Sieders mentioned she loves getting to know her students on a first name [...]


  • Leading the Pride Episode 5 Part 2 – Clem Papineau

    Clem Papineau

    Leading the Pride is back with Part 2 of Clem Papineau’s story. In Part 1, Papineau discussed his career in the military and law enforcement and his current job as a Cold Case Homicide Detective with Little Rock, Arkansas Police. Papineau attended Suomi College in the mid-70’s but transferred after his first year; a choice he says he’s always regretted.

    Papineau continues talking about how the next generation of detectives are being trained, what it’s like working with families [...]


  • Lion Around Asks “What Does Your Major Do?”

    Lion Around studying up on crayon college

    Hosts Gina Geliche and Monica Freeman are asking the serious questions in this week’s episode of Lion Around. Recorded in Maki Library, Geliche and Freeman collected a few guests to see what they think various majors do in their school work. This episode is brought to you by the person who referred to art school as “crayon college.” Geliche stated that she has heard the term before and that people tend to assume that art majors color all day [...]


  • Finn-terns Meeri Kataja and Riina Rastas talk Heikinpäivä

    Michael Babcock with Meeri Kataja and Riina Rastas

    Dropping by the Finlandia Fridays studios this chilly week are Finnish interns Meeri Kataja and Riina Rastas. Both Kataja and Rastas are working in the Finnish American Heritage Center (FAHC). The FAHC brings in Finnish interns throughout the year to bring in another aspect of Finnish culture to the university and the local area.

    Kataja is from Espoo, the second largest city, located near Helsinki. Studying at the University of Helsinki Social Sciences, Kataja is assisting down in the archives [...]


  • Leading the Pride Solves Crimes with Cold Case Homicide Detective, Clem Papineau Pt. 1

    Finlandia’s alumni podcast Leading the Pride is back this month and solving crimes with Cold Case Homicide Detective Clem Papineau. Unlike past alumni featured on Leading the Pride, Papineau attended Suomi College from 1975-76 but transferred before completing his associates degree in Criminal Justice.

    Originally from Ontonagon, Papineau has had an illustrious career in law enforcement in Little Rock, Arkansas which includes being an undercover detective and homicide detective. Papineau also boasts a 37 [...]


  • Sophomore art students get soupy on Finlandia Fridays

    Blue Kenwood and Emma Mackey displaying their art skills

    Art students Emma Mackey and Blue Kenwood dropped by Finlandia Fridays this week. Both Mackey and Kenwood are sophomores in the International School of Art and Design, and members of the Young Women’s Caucus of Art (YWCA).

    Mackey is a local who is attending FinnU with the assistance of the Hancock Award and is studying graphic design. “At first I was doing the joint degree of marketing and graphic design, but I kind of fell in love with [...]


  • Lion Around rings in new year by facing the last semester “scaries”

    Monica and Gina preparing for the last semester

    Back for their last semester, hosts Monica Freeman and Gina Geliche hit off the first Lion Around of 2019 talking about… well their last semester and what that all entails. Recording in Old Main, where Freeman and Geliche’s Finlandia stories started, the hosts recount their hopes and fears of their last semester.

    Facing her last semester, Freeman stated that many people have asked if she is graduating in the spring, which is typically followed by what her next steps are after [...]


  • Looking ahead to MLK Day of Service with Leann Fogle

    Leann and Mike signing up for the MLK Day of Service

    Leann Fogle joins Finlandia Fridays to kick off the second half of season three. Fogle is the Director of Residence Life at Finlandia, and is apart of the planning committee for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

    The spring semester is one of Fogle’s favorite times in Finn Hall, as she gets to see many familiar faces and some new ones, as students transfer into the University. Finn Hall also helps out the Hei Suomi participants with [...]


  • Shooting the breeze with women’s basketball coach Mariah LaPointe-Dunham

    Mariah LaPointe-Dunham for Finlandia Fridays

    Women’s basketball coach Mariah LaPointe-Dunham dropped by Finlandia Fridays this week to talk about her favorite pastime, basketball. LaPointe-Dunham, who was hired just prior to the fall semester, has jumped into her position as head coach.

    “It’s been quite an adventure for me, kind of being hired on the spot and having about a week to prepare for a season and get to know my athletes at the same time,” stated LaPointe-Dunham.  Despite the craziness of the position [...]


  • Leading the Pride stays close to home with Robin Meneguzzo, NP (’11)

    Leading the Pride keeps it close to home this month with local alumna, Robin Meneguzzo, NP (‘11).  Meneguzzo is a Hancock native who graduated from FinnU with a degree in nursing. She went on to pursue her Master’s degree online from the University of Cincinnati. She currently works as a nurse practitioner at Aspirus Keweenaw and is at the forefront of enhancing patient care for those in the Upper Peninsula with her focus on [...]


  • That’s a wrap, Lion Around talks Christmas traditions for last 2018 podcast

    Christmas Traditions with Lion Around

    With finals out of the way, senior co-hosts Monica Freeman and Gina Geliche are looking forward to their final semester at Finlandia. Along with their final semester, Freeman and Geliche are excited to be home for the holidays to dive into their favorite Christmas traditions. Unmentioned in the podcast, the duo recorded the episode in the Hoover Center, which used to house the president and his family. Currently, the Hoover Center is where the president’s office is located.

    To start the [...]


  • Finn-tastic gift ideas with Alana Nolan

    ?

    Finlandia Fridays hosted Alana Nolan for this week’s episode. Nolan manages the University’s bookstore North Wind Books. The store specializes in all things FinnU, Scandinavian goods and local history.

    Speaking of local history, North Wind is now offering Finns of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Part of the Images of America series, Finns of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was produced by the Finnish American Heritage Center. The book centers on Finns and the Finnish culture that can be found [...]


  • Learning to give Permission with Finnish American Artist Tia Keo

    Tia Keo on Finlandia Fridays

    Visiting artist Tia Keo dropped by Finlandia Fridays this week to talk about her work in the 28th Annual Finnish Contemporary Artist Series. Keo’s father David Salmela was the 16th artist in the series, making it the first time two family members have been showcased in the series.

    Keo has a variety of work hanging in the gallery, from sculpture to weavings. Keo admitted while being an artist her whole life, she has just recently started calling herself [...]


  • Stressing over finals? This can help! Finals week survival guide Winter 2018

    Finals are stressful. It’s not a question, or up for debate, they just are. As a university, we are here to help make this hard time of the semester as easy for you as possible. That’s why we’ve put together a little survival guide to help you get through Finals Week, and don’t worry we’ll be sending out reminders about all of these events on the Finlandia Snapchat. Follow along @finlandiau.

    First and foremost, kick off finals week with Late [...]


  • Lion Around’s 2018 college student Christmas gift list

    Lion Around discussing college gift lists

     

    With the holidays coming up, Lion Around hosts Monica Freeman and Gina Geliche sat down to talk about a serious topic, what to get a college student for Christmas. Recording on the second floor of North Wind Books, Freeman and Geliche discussed the excitement of receiving kitchen utensils as you grow older. With several categories and puns to get through, Freeman and Geliche started with useful cookware/ kitchen items.

    What’s Cooking?

    Freeman first suggests a slow cooker for college [...]


  • Best coffee shops in Copper Country for students

    Lion Around perks- talking about the best coffee shops

    Sitting outside the 5th & Elm Coffee located on campus, Lion Around discussed all the best coffee shops in the Copper Country. Both Monica and Gina are regular-ish coffee drinkers, who believe that coffee is beneficial to keep students functioning during their college careers. Geliche started drinking coffee within the last two to three years, while Freeman picked up the habit her senior year of high school. Due to their caffeine habits, the Lion Around hosts has scoured the Copper [...]


  • Finlandia Fridays prepares to give thanks with Olivia Myers

    Michael H. Babcock and Olivia Myers

    Coordinator of External Relations Olivia Myers dropped by Finlandia Fridays this week to discuss an exciting event that will be taking place November 27- Giving Tuesday.

    “Giving Tuesday is a result of combatting the idea of spending for the holidays by donating to the non-profit of your choice,” stated Myers. Giving Tuesday is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, or the Tuesday after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. FinnU is jumping on board the Giving Tuesday trend this year by hosting a [...]


  • Lions take the field with soccer players Kasey Barber and Kirsten L’Esperance

    Field Tests with Kirsten and Kasey

    Setting school history this week, Finlandia is hosting the American Collegiate Athletic Association’s men’s and women’s soccer conference tournament. With that Finlandia Fridays was visited by two soccer players, Kasey Barber and Kirsten L’Esperance, both of whom are looking forward to this upcoming weekend.

    Barber discussed how the men’s team has had their fair share of difficulties this season. With a new coach and less players than expected, Barber stated “it’s been tough. But we’ve [...]


  • Lion Around gets spooked telling ghost stories

    Lion Around sharing ghost stories

    Monica Freeman and Gina Geliche found themselves back in the Jutila Center for this spooky episode of Lion Around. With its history of being a hospital and rumors of ghost stories, the uninhabited floors of Jutila seemed to be the place to conjure up some Halloween magic. Both non-believers in the supernatural, Freeman and Geliche tried to keep the stories as local as possible and would like to thank North Wind Books, Dr. Hilary-Joy Virtanen, and [...]


  • The Paloheimo Fellowship: Finn-ding out about Finland with Dana Pakulski and Kaylor Holmstrom

    Paloheimo Fellows Dana Pakulski and Kaylor Holmstrom for Finlandia Fridays

    Seniors Kaylor Holmstrom and Dana Pakulski recounted tales of their times as Paloheimo Fellows this week on Finlandia Fridays. The Paloheimo Fellowship is an opportunity for Finlandia students to study a topic in Finland for several weeks for little-to-no cost.

    “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. You get to go and study in Finland with very minimal cost.” Dana Pakulski.

    Unlike study abroad, the Paloheimo Fellowship requires students to choose an aspect of Finland to study and blog about. Pakulski, [...]


  • Leading the Pride featuring future D.O. and Biology alum, Matthew McLaughlin (’17)

    Leading the Pride

    Leading the Pride is a monthly podcast that focuses on accomplished Suomi College and Finlandia University alumni. This month’s guest is Matthew McLaughlin (‘17), who was one of the first graduates from Finlandia’s new Biology program. McLaughlin was also a graduate of the ROTC program, a four year hockey player and the Class of 2017 student speaker. He commissioned into the US Army as a second lieutenant after college and is currently [...]


  • Ask a Campus Read author, Lindsay King-Miller dives into book and LGBTQ awareness

    Lindsay King-Miller on Finlandia Fridays

    Author Lindsay King-Miller was invited to campus this week to speak about her book Ask a Queer Chick; a Guide to Sex, Love, and Life for Girls Who Dig Girls. While on campus King-Miller dropped by Finlandia Fridays to discuss and inform others of her experiences.

    “The campus has been incredibly welcoming. Everyone has been asking great questions, making me feel like everyone has read my writing which makes me feel so special, unique and amazing.”

    King-Miller visited several [...]


  • Viral artist Libby VanderPloeg GIFs Finlandia Fridays with artistic knowledge

    Libby VanderPloeg Finlandia Fridays

    Visiting artist Libby VanderPloeg dropped by Finlandia Fridays to share her artistic wisdom, and to settle the debate, is it GIF with the “g” sound or GIF with the “j” sound, like the peanut butter. VanderPloeg is nationally known and has work appear in the New York Times, Netflix, Huffington Post, Penguin Random House, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and


  • Lion Around gets serious talking about Month of Action

    Lion Around

    Lion Around dropped by the Chapel of St. Matthew this week to talk about a more serious subject – The Month of Action. Chosen for a specific reason, the Chapel of St. Matthew houses the office of the campus pastor, who is a confidential source for students to go to when they need to talk about anything.

    Delving into the nitty gritty, The Month of Action is month-long campaign funded by a grant from the Michigan State Police [...]


  • Jordan Siegler talks alumni board and career preparation in the arts

    To celebrate homecoming this weekend, Finlandia University welcomed one of its most highly regarded graduates to campus with Jordan Siegler (’09) visiting the set of Finlandia Fridays. Siegler is an alum of FinnU’s International School of Art & Design, has served as Finlandia Alumni Board President since 2016 and works in fundraising for Wisconsin Public Television.

    Siegler spent last weekend in town to take part in the Alumni Board’s annual fall meeting. [...]


  • Lion Around hits home talking about homecoming week

    Lion Around

    *Cue drum roll* — It’s homecoming week! FinnU is bringing homecoming back and there is an all-star lineup of events. This week’s episode was recorded in Old Main, the school’s original building.

    Formerly known as Suomi College, and started in 1896, Old Main used to be the only building on the campus. Freeman and Geliche kicked off the special edition episode by recounting the special times they had at their high school homecomings. Geliche stated that she had a special attachment [...]


  • Learning about healthy gender identity with Filmmaker Byron Hurt

    Byron Hurt at Finlandia University

    This week Finlandia Fridays was visited by documentary filmmaker Byron Hurt. Hurt’s film Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes was shown last week to kick off the Month of Action, a month-long campaign put on by Finlandia to raise awareness against sexual violence and encourage healthy gender identity. Hurt was also on campus to give a talk “Locker Room Talk or Toxic Masculinity?”, which took place earlier this week.

    Despite being tired from travel before the talk, Hurt said [...]


  • What’s Burning? Lion Around Podcast Gives College Cooking Tips

    Lion Around

    The Lion Around podcast went back into Finn Hall for its third episode, which focuses on college cooking tips and tricks. Finn Hall (short for Finlandia Hall), is the only residence hall on FinnU’s campus, and it is equipped with community lounges on each floor. Each lounge comes with a microwave, stove top, mini fridge and, sink so students can cook for themselves outside of cafeteria hours or instead of going to the cafeteria.

    Since many students are on their own [...]


  • Leading the Pride features best-selling author and motivational speaker, Asha Tyson (’90)

    Leading the Pride

    The debut episode of Leading the Pride is finally here. Leading the Pride is Finlandia University’s newest podcast in the Finlandia Podcast Network. It is a monthly podcast that focuses on accomplished Suomi College and Finlandia University alumni.

    The first guest on the show is Asha Tyson (’90), a Suomi alumna who went from abused homeless teenager begging her way into college to Fortune 500 motivational speaker and international best selling author of the [...]


  • Juliet Kitale of Tanzania talks about trip to U.S. on Finlandia Fridays

    For more than a week now the Copper Country has been blessed with a dozen visitors coming all the way from Tanzania, and this week on Finlandia Fridays we got to meet one of them, Juliet Kitale.

    Kitale and 11 others were brought overseas by Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock to explore the area, live with the families of the church and be reunited with many Finlandia faculty and staff members who have traveled to Tanzania over [...]

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