 | |
Former name | The Suomi College and Theological Seminary (1896–2000) |
|---|---|
| Motto | Dominus Illuminatio Mea |
Motto in English | The Lord is my Light |
| Type | Private |
| Active | September 8, 1896 (1896-09-08)–May 7, 2023 (2023-05-07) |
| Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission |
Religious affiliation | Evangelical Lutheran Church |
| Endowment | US$5,786,875 (2020)[1] |
| Budget | US$13,106,234 (2020)[1] |
| President | Timothy Pinnow[2] |
| Students | 430 (fall 2021)[3] |
| Address | 601 Quincy St. ,,49930 ,U.S. 47°07′39″N88°35′22″W / 47.1276°N 88.5894°W /47.1276; -88.5894 |
| Campus | Rural, 24 acres (9.7 ha) |
| Avg. class size | 11[4] |
| Colors | Blue, gray and white[5] |
| Nickname | Lions |
Sporting affiliations | C2C Conference (NCAA D-III) |
| Mascot | Riku F. Lion |
| Website | finlandia.edu (archived) |
  Location in Michigan Show map of Michigan Finlandia University (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
Finlandia University was aprivateLutheranuniversity from 1896 to 2023 inHancock, Michigan. It was the only private university in theUpper Peninsula. Founded in 1896 asSuomi Opisto (Finnish College) and Theological Seminary, it was affiliated with theEvangelical Lutheran Church in America.[6][7] The university closed after the spring semester of 2023 due to enrollment and financial challenges.[8]
Finlandia University was founded asSuomi College on September 8, 1896, by J. K. Nikander (b. 1855,Hämeenlinna, Finland, d. 1919).[7][9] During the 1880s, large numbers ofFinnsimmigrated toHancock, Michigan to labor in thecopper andlumber industries. As a mission pastor of theFinnish Evangelical Lutheran Church of America headquartered in Hancock, Nikander observed that Swedish and Finnish immigrants along theDelaware 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 aliberal arts college and in 1958, the seminary separated from the college. On July 1, 2000, Suomi College changed its name toFinlandia University.[9][10]
The cornerstone ofOld Main, the first building erected at Suomi College, was laid on May 30, 1898.Jacobsville sandstone, quarried at the Portage Entry of theKeweenaw 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 asMichigan Historic Sites was erected by theMichigan 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 ofEliel 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 theEvangelical Lutheran Church in America. The curriculum, campus events, and the community explored the value of faith, vocation, and service. Finlandia University was accredited by theHigher 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 forSAT orACT 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 atMichigan Technological University,Bay de Noc Community College,Adrian College,Wartburg College,Northern Michigan University and a few other colleges.[8]
Finlandia University's campus was located inHancock, Michigan, on theKeweenaw Peninsula in Michigan'sUpper Peninsula. The Keweenaw Peninsula stretches north intoLake Superior.
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 are located there as of November 2024.[16]
The Finlandia Foundation National (FFN) purchased the Finnish American Heritage Center, the Finnish American Historical Archive, the Finlandia Art Gallery, the Finnish American Folk School, the Price of Freedom Museum, The Finnish American Reporter and the North Wind Books store in 2024.[17]
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).[18]
There were 12NCAA Division III athletic sports at Finlandia, whose teams were known as Lions, competing primarily as a member of theCoast to Coast Athletic Conference (C2C) since 2020.[19] Women's athletics included: basketball, cross country, golf, ice hockey, soccer, softball and volleyball. Men's athletics included baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey and soccer.Co-edEsports were added as varsity-level sports in the 2020–2021 season.[20]
Finlandia University's football team played its first season in the Fall of 2015. From 2015–2017, they played football in Division III as an independent. For the 2018 and 2019 seasons, Finlandia competed in theMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. After they did not play during the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they joined theUpper Midwest Athletic Conference for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Over seven seasons, the team compiled a 5–56 record, scoring 575 points and having 2,711 points scored against for an average of 45 points per game.[21][22][23]
Finlandia University had both men's and women's Division III ice hockey teams. The men's team played their first season beginning in 2001, and the women's beginning in 2004. They played their games at Houghton County Arena. From 2004 to 2013, they played in theMidwest Collegiate Hockey Association conference, and from 2013 to 2023 in theNorthern Collegiate Hockey Association conference. From 2004 to 2023, the men's team compiled a record of 105–279–19. In the 2007–2008 season, the team compiled a 14–6 record and defeatedMilwaukee School of Engineering to be crowned MCHC Champions.[24][25][26]
Finlandia introducedEsports in the Fall of 2020 to be run under the direction of Finlandia's Athletic Department. The school's first season included nine games:Overwatch,Call of Duty,Fortnite,FIFA,Madden NFL,Super Smash Brothers,League of Legends,Hearthstone, andRocket League. The team competed in theEastern College Athletic Conference and played their games at Hirvonen Hall from 2022–2023.[27][28][29]
Notable alumni of Finlandia University include:
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