Being at a close-knit, liberal arts school students get the opportunity to explore different options for their futures. These alumni saw their path to law school through Finlandia, while one Upper Peninsula lawyer has already proven that track as she followed her childhood passion.
Brierra Ruska, a 2015 Finlandia graduate, and current University of North Dakota Law School student was asked a question that changed her life two weeks before graduation.
The Suomi College of Arts and Sciences (SCAS) provides academic programs that prepare students to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. SCAS programs stimulate curiosity, exercise critical thinking, hone communication skills, and promote active citizenship. Faculty within the College are committed to helping students succeed in their chosen disciplines. Students are prepared for graduate programs, and for careers that demand critical thinking and excellent written and oral communication skills.
SCAS offers Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees in Biology, Communication, [...]
At their March board meeting in Dallas, Finlandia Foundation National trustees elected Dr. Hilary-Joy Virtanen to a three-year term on the board. Virtanen, a native of nearby Toivola, is the Finnish & Nordic Studies professor at Finlandia University. She holds a Master’s and Ph.D. in Scandinavian Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; an MA from Indiana University; and a BA from Michigan State University. Dr. Virtanen will serve as the chair of the Lecturer of the [...]
“These two professors exemplify much of what makes Finlandia distinct,” said Dr. Fredi de Yampert, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “They care deeply about our students, are passionate about their subject matter and have a proven track record of notable academic work. I am proud to call them colleagues, and congratulate each of them for this honor.”
Finlandia University is pleased to announce that Dr. William Knoblauch has achieved tenure status and named an Associate Professor.
“It feels great to become an Associate Professor,” said Knoblauch. “It’s been a long process with a lot of requirements, and involves a critical evaluation by your colleagues and administrators, so it takes quite a while.
“That being said, I found the process to be a lot of fun. It’s the task of looking back over the past, collecting, sorting and organizing [...]
Following the spring Finlandia University Board of Trustees meeting, Dr. Richard Gee was awarded Tenure Status. How does he feel about getting tenure? It’s a simple, but impactful answer, “Relaxed.” He continued, “It’s the pinnacle of academic achievement.” Gee is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Finlandia who has been with the university since 2012.
Both an advisor and a professor, he sees his students in different lights with the roles, but he pushes them to be [...]
To top off season two, Finlandia Fridays was visited by Nikki Lishinski and Tuuli Savelainen. Savelainen is participating in the Hei Suomi program. The program brings Finnish teachers into the schools in South Range so the students are able to experience a different culture.
Savelainen is a Finnish student studying to be a teacher, originally from southern Finland. She studies at the University of Lapland, located five miles away from the Arctic Circle. When asked about the Copper [...]
Dr. William Knoblauch was honored as the Board of Trustees Distinguished Faculty Award recipient at the 2018 Commencement on Sunday, April 29.
Knoblauch, an assistant professor of history, joined Finlandia in 2012. He teaches 17 courses including History of Rock & Roll, Energy and World Power, and Rise of American Capitalism. He also chairs the History department.
“Winning this award is really nice because my peers nominated me and that feels good,” said Knoblauch.
Knoblauch said his peers told him they nominated [...]
This semester’s Suomi College of Arts & Sciences (SCAS) Senior Capstone Presentations will be from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 26 in Wargelin 303. Four students will be presenting on their final capstone project as they complete their final semester at FinnU.
Spring 2018 Senior Capstone Presentors
Jennifer Pesola, Communication
Travis Cornwell, Communication
Christian Yao, History
Heather Saari, Sociology
Presentations are free and open to the public. No RSVP is required. Presentations will be roughly 20 minutes each with a short break between each.
