CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Suomi College, Hancock, Mich., was reborn as Finlandia University on July 1. The university is one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
The name change is designed to help students, administrators and others connect the institution with its Finnish roots and to "show our commitment to change and to meeting the needs of students," said Dr. Robert A. Ubbelohde, president of Finlandia.
"As we enter a new millennium, we need to look forward," Ubbelohde said. "Suomi College has been [in Hancock] for more than 100 years, serving students from [Michigan's] upper peninsula and surrounding areas. It is time to take that wonderful heritage and offer it to students across the country and around the world."
Ubbelohde said Finlandia is "immediately recognized as being connected to Finland, while the meaning of Suomi is not generally recognized." He said the new name will let potential students "know exactly what the college is, and should attract more to request information or come up to visit recruiters at school fairs."
Paavo Lipponen, Finland's prime minister, said Finlandia University "strongly reinforces the school's link with Finland. It's Finnish heritage shows through proudly with the new name, and I wish much success in Suomi's new phase of development as Finlandia."
Established in 1896 as Suomi College, Finlandia University is a four-year bachelor's degree granting institution. This fall the university will offer students two new bachelor's degree programs -- liberal arts studies and general studies. Finlandia is the only private college located in Michigan's upper peninsula and the only university in the United States founded by Finnish immigrants.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
