Finlandia University/Finnish-American Heritage Center

Old Main in Hancock, the first permanent building of the country’s only Finnish college, Finlandia University. It was founded in 1896 as Suomi College when copper mining in the region was at its height and thousands of Finns were immigrating to work as miners.

In Finland, churches had emphasized literacy, which eventually proved a great advantage to Finnish immigrants. In 1896 the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church, now merged with many other Lutheran churches, opened an academy in Hancock which became Suomi College. Today it's known as Finlandia University. It's the only Finnish college in the U.S. and the only private college in the Upper Peninsula.

The name was changed when the college sought to market itself more broadly. Many non-Finns thought "Suomi," the Finnish name for "homeland," had Native American or even Asian origins. And assimilation has progressed so far that even a fair number of Finnish descendants don't know what "suomi" means.

The school became a four-year university in 1996. Enrollment has increased in recent years to almost 600. Professional Studies majors are the largest student group on campus (elementary education, nursing, physical therapist assistant, criminal justice and human services). Additional majors include business, liberal studies and art & design. Finlandia draws students of many ethnic backgrounds. Students can also take Finnish language classes. The fine arts curriculum in fiber arts, ceramics, and product design, was developed on the model of Finland's leading design school, with the ongoing assistance of its faculty in Finland. Finlandia offers NCAA Division III athletics.

Changing art exhibits in the FINNISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE CENTER are almost always stimulating, accessible, and easy for people in Copper Country to visit. Hours are Mon-Sat 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It's on the right (north) sidee of Quincy Street in downtown Hancock, in the white building with light blue trim (Finnish national colors.) Just search online for "Finnish-American Heritage Center" for exhibits, showings of current Finnish cinema, and musical and cultural events and lectures about the environment and other relevant subjects.

NORTH WIND BOOKS, with a separate entrance, is both the college bookstore and an outstanding independent bookstore with specialties in north country and Scandinavian books for adults and children. See under "downtown Hancock."

Finlandia's mission is "a learning community dedicated to academic excellence, spiritual growth and service.?. The birch leaf logo symbolizes Finlandia's connections with its Finnish roots and the natural environment. The university?s Web site at www.finlandia.edu conveys this theme. There's a strong connection between art and the environment at Finlandia and in the Upper Peninsula generally. (As an
example, read about Jean Sibelius and the village of Tapiola in Houghton County.) Most art exhibits at Finlandia, it seems, have some enviro mental connection—that's what the Finnish soul is all about, a connection between trees and nature and a person's innermost being.

Thanks to Finlandia, living in or near Hancock affords the general public an unusual opportunity to become familiar with the culture of one of today's most successful small nations, in terms of statistics of health, education, and social welfare.

Also at Finlandia is a well equipped recreation center which visitors can use for a nominal fee. It includes an indoor pool, basketball gym, and fitness center with weights and exercise machines. Campus tours start at Finlandia House at 601 Quincy just west of downtown. For details call (800) 682-7604 or visit www.finlandia.edu. 8/2010

Return to Hancock

Best of the Best U.P. Maps

Incredibly Useful!
Hunt's Map Guide to the Upper Peninsula • Favorite hikes, beaches, restaurants, shops, lighthouses, scenic drives, waterfalls, & much more
• 13 detailed U.P. maps
• Full color, on sturdy, water-resistant paper
• Folds out to 12”x38”
• Only $6.95
To learn more & buy online, click here