Finlandia University

Finlandia University was a private Lutheran university in Hancock, Michigan. It was the only private university in the Upper Peninsula. Founded in 1896 as The Suomi College and Theological Seminary, it was affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.[6][7] The university closed after the spring semester of 2023 due to enrollment and financial challenges.[8]

Finlandia University
Seal of Finlandia University, depicting the Old Main building and the Latin motto 'Dominus Illuminatio Mea'
Former name
The Suomi College and Theological Seminary (1896–2000)
Motto
Dominus Illuminatio Mea
Motto in English
The Lord is my Light
TypePrivate
ActiveSeptember 8, 1896 (1896-09-08)–May 7, 2023 (2023-05-07)
AccreditationHigher Learning Commission
Religious affiliation
Evangelical Lutheran Church
EndowmentUS$5,786,875 (2020)[1]
BudgetUS$13,106,234 (2020)[1]
PresidentTimothy Pinnow[2]
Students430 (fall 2021)[3]
Address
601 Quincy St.
,
Hancock, Michigan
,
49930
,
U.S.

47.1276°N 88.5894°W / 47.1276; -88.5894
CampusRural, 24 acres (9.7 ha)
Avg. class size11[4]
Colors      Blue, gray and white[5]
NicknameLions
Sporting affiliations
C2C Conference (NCAA D-III)
MascotRiku F. Lion
Websitewww.finlandia.edu
Finlandia University is located in Michigan
Finlandia University
Location in Michigan
Finlandia University is located in the United States
Finlandia University
Finlandia University (the United States)

History

Finlandia University was founded as Suomi College on September 8, 1896, by J. K. Nikander (b. 1855, Hämeenlinna, Finland, d. 1919).[7][9] 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 of 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.[9][10]

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. A marker designating the college and its Old Main building as Michigan Historic Sites was erected by the Michigan Historical Commission in 1991.[11]

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 was affiliated with the Lutheran church since its inception and in 1988, became affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The curriculum, campus events, and the community explored the value of faith, vocation, and service. Finlandia University was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association for Colleges and Schools. In 1996, the university transitioned from a two-year college to a four-year university.[10] Starting with the 2020–21 academic year, Finlandia's admissions policy contained no requirements for SAT or ACT scores, only requiring a secondary school transcript.[12]

On October 6, 2021, the 16th president, Rev. Dr. Philip R. Johnson, announced he intended to retire at the end of the 2021–22 academic year.[13]

On May 4, 2022, Finlandia announced Timothy Pinnow would become the next president effective July 1, 2022.[14] On March 2, 2023, Timothy Pinnow announced that Finlandia University would close after the spring 2023 semester. Pinnow cited a lack of interest in enrollment and the debt load of the university as factors in shutting down operations.

The university's board of trustees voted on March 14, 2023, to officially dissolve the university. Finlandia also announced that some staff had been laid off to free up funding for operations related to student transfers. They also announced that all other staff would be laid off following commencement.[15]

The university set up agreements for students to finish their education at Michigan Technological University, Bay de Noc Community College, Adrian College, Wartburg College, Northern Michigan University and a few other colleges.[8]

Campus

Finlandia University's campus was located in Hancock, Michigan, on the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Keweenaw Peninsula stretches north into Lake Superior.

  • Old Main, between 1900 and 1906
    Old Main, between 1900 and 1906
  • Old Main in 2008
    Old Main in 2008
  • Finlandia Hall
    Finlandia Hall

Finnish-American Heritage Center

Also part of Finlandia University, and serving both the campus and the community, was the Finnish American Heritage Center which hosted numerous university and community events and housed a museum, art gallery, and theater. The Finnish American Historical Archives were located here.

Academics

Finlandia's most popular undergraduate majors, by 2021 graduates, were: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (7), Small Business Administration/Management (5), Criminal Justice/Police Science (5), Business Administration, Management and Operations (4), and Psychology (4).[16]

Athletics

There were 12 NCAA Division III athletic sports at Finlandia, whose teams were known as Lions, competing primarily as a member of the Coast to Coast Athletic Conference (C2C) since 2020.[17] Women's athletics included: basketball, cross country, ice hockey, soccer, softball and volleyball. Men's athletics included baseball, basketball, cross country, football, ice hockey and soccer. Co-ed Esports were added as varsity-level sports in the 2020–2021 season.[18]

Conference affiliation

Notable alumni

Notable alumni of Finlandia University include:

References
  1. "Finlandia University Reported Data: Finance 2019-2020". Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. National Center for Education Statistics. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  2. "Finlandia University names Tim Pinnow as next president". Finlandia University. August 18, 2022. Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  3. "Finlandia University reports enrollment growth". Upper Michigan's Source. Negaunee, Michigan: WLUC-TV. September 14, 2021. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  4. "Small class sizes lead to huge advantage for students at Finlandia University". Finlandia University. August 24, 2017. Archived from the original on August 30, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  5. "Style Guide - Finlandia". Finlandia University. Archived from the original on September 29, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  6. "Our Finnish Heritage". Finlandia University. Archived from the original on January 14, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  7. Biographical Record: Houghton, Baraga and Marquette Counties. Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company. 1903. p. 16. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  8. TV6 News Team (March 2, 2023). "Finlandia University to End Operations, not Enroll Students for the 2023–2024 Academic Year". Upper Michigan's Source. Negaunee, Michigan: WLUC-TV. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  9. Holmio, Armas Kustaa Ensio (2001). History of the Finns in Michigan. Wayne State University Press. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-8143-2974-0. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  10. "About Maki Library". Finlandia University. Archived from the original on July 18, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  11. "Michigan Historical Markers - Old Main/Suomi College". www.hmdb.org. Historical Marker Data Base. Archived from the original on August 4, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  12. "Finlandia University makes SAT/ACT scores optional on admission applications". UPMatters.com. Marquette, Michigan: WJMN-TV. November 20, 2019. Archived from the original on February 14, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  13. "Finlandia University's President Philip Johnson to Step Down at End of Year". Keweenaw Report. October 11, 2021. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  14. "Finlandia University names Tim Pinnow as next president". August 18, 2022. Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  15. Champion, Brandon (March 14, 2023). "U.P.'s Finlandia University Makes It Official, Unanimously Votes to Dissolve Institution". MLive. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  16. "Finlandia University". nces.ed.gov. U.S. Dept of Education. Archived from the original on January 21, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  17. "New CAC absorbs schools nationwide". D3sports. May 26, 2020. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  18. Parker, Jason (January 24, 2020). "Finlandia University Varsity Esports Team Launches in Fall 2020". EsportsTalk. Archived from the original on February 14, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  19. "A History of Men's Hockey and the NCHA". Northern Collegiate Hockey Association. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  20. "A History of Women's Hockey and the NCHA". Northern Collegiate Hockey Association. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  21. "UMAC adds Finlandia for 2021". D3sports. October 2, 2020. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
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