Finlandia University

 

Finlandia University
Motto	Dominus Illuminatio Mea
Motto in English	The Lord is my Light
Established	8 September 1896
Type	Private
President	Philip Johnson
Location	Hancock, Michigan, United States
Campus	Rural
Colors	Finnish Blue, Navy Blue, and White
Mascot	Lions
Website	www.finlandia.edu

Finlandia University is a university in Hancock, Michigan, United States, and the only private university in the Upper Peninsula. Founded in 1896 as The Suomi College and Theological Seminary, it is currently affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

History

Old Main

Old Main, between 1900 and 1906

Finlandia Hall

Suomi College was founded on 8 September 1896 by J. K. Nikander (b. 1855, Tavastehus, Finland, d. 1919). During the 1880s, large numbers of Finns immigrated to Hancock, Michigan to labor in the copper and lumber industries. As a mission pastor of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church in America headquartered in Hancock, Nikander observed that Swedish and Finnish immigrants along the Delaware River did not train new ministers, and he feared a loss of Finnish identity. The college's role was to preserve Finnish culture, train Lutheran ministers and teach English. During the 1920s, Suomi College became a liberal arts college and in 1958, the seminary separated from the college. On July 1, 2000, Suomi College changed its name to Finlandia University.

The cornerstone of Old Main, the first building erected at Suomi College, was laid on May 30, 1898. Jacobsville sandstone, quarried at the Portage Entry of the Keweenaw waterway, was brought by barge, cut, and used to construct the Old Main. Dedicated on January 21, 1900, it contained a dormitory, kitchen, laundry, classrooms, offices, library, chapel, and lounge. The burgeoning college quickly outgrew this building. In 1901 a frame structure, housing a gym, meeting hall, and music center, was erected on an adjacent lot. The frame building was demolished when Nikander Hall, named for Suomi's founder, was constructed in 1939. The hall was designed by the architectural firm of Eliel Saarinen and J. Robert F. Swanson. In addition to Old Main, the present day main campus consists of Nikander Hall, Mannerheim Hall, Wargelin Hall, Finlandia Hall, the Paavo Nurmi Center for Physical Education, the Kivi House, Hoover Center, the Finnish American Heritage Center, the Chapel of St. Matthew, and the Jutila Center.

Finlandia University has been a university of the Lutheran church since its inception. In 1988, the University became affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The curriculum, campus events, and the community explore the value of faith, vocation, and service. The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accredits the University. In 1996, the university transitioned from a two-year university to a four-year university.

Serving more than 500 students from ten states and three countries, seven percent of Finlandia University students are members of minority groups and 6 percent are international. Approximately one-fourth of all students live in the co-ed residence hall.^{[citation needed]}

Location

Finlandia University's campus is located in Hancock, Michigan. The University is two hours west of Marquette, Michigan; four hours north of Green Bay, Wisconsin; six hours northeast of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and eight hours north of Chicago, Illinois.

Programs of study

International School of Art & Design

• Bachelor of Fine Arts
  • Concentrations
    • Ceramic Design
    • Digital Art
    • Fiber/Fashion Design
    • Graphic Design
    • Interior Design
    • Product Design
    • Studio Arts
      • Arts-Illustration
      • Drawing and Painting
    • Sustainable Design

International School of Business

• Bachelor of Business Administration
  • Concentrations
    • Accounting
    • International Business
    • Management
    • Sports Management

Suomi College of Arts and Sciences

• BA-Elementary Education
• BA-Human Services
• BA-Liberal Studies/Arts, Culture and Environment
• BA-Liberal Studies/English
• BA-Liberal Studies/Social Sciences
• BA-Liberal Studies/General
  • General Liberal Studies Concentrations
    • Christian Vocation
    • Corporate Communications
    • Economics and Business
    • English Language and Literature
    • Environmental Policy
    • Environmental Science
    • Finnish Studies
    • History and Political Science
    • International Studies
    • Pre-Law
    • Psychology and Sociology
    • Religion and Philosophy
    • Science
    • Visual Communications
• AAS-Criminal Justice
• AGS-General Studies

College of Health Sciences

• BSN-Nursing
• BSN-RN to BSN Completion
• AAS-Physical Therapist Assistant

Portage campus

Opened in 2005, Finlandia's second campus, the Jutila Campus, is home to the International School of Art and Design and the Lily I. Jutila Center for Global Design and Business (CGDB). The CGDB provides a collaborative environment for students, faculty, business and industry to lean and apply sustainable business practices and works to foster regional economic development. An on-site small business incubator provides a supportive environment in which to start and grow a business. CGDB services also include design and business consulting, rapid prototyping and business training classes.

Athletics

Finlandia Lions logo

Athletics are an important part of Finlandia University. There are twelve varsity sports at Finlandia. Women's athletics include: basketball, cross country running, ice hockey, soccer, softball, and volleyball. Men's athletics include: ice hockey, baseball, basketball, cross country running, golf, and soccer. Finlandia University is part of the NCAA Division III and also part of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) for women's hockey, and Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (MCHA) for men's hockey. The Men's Soccer program is a member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC).

Study abroad

Students in the International Schools of Business and Art & Design enjoy a variety of overseas educational exchange opportunities to study and experience life abroad.

Additional resources

North Wind Books

Also part of Finlandia University, and serving both the campus and the community, is the Finnish American Heritage Center which hosts numerous university and community events and houses a museum, art gallery, theater, the Finnish American Historical Archives,the Finnish American Reporter, a monthly English language journal featuring news and information of interest to Finnish Americans, North Wind Books. North Wind Books, the Lions Den offer textbooks and university logo merchandise, an extensive collection of quality adult and children's fiction and nonfiction publications, and Finnish functional design items for the home.

External links

• Finlandia University