Adrian College guarantees Finlandia University students admissions, assistance

The Daily Telegram
·3 min read
A Sámi flag flies outside Finlandia University in Hancock, in celebration of Sámi National Day. After recently announcing it will close its doors to students after 120 years of service as an institution of higher learning, Finlandia University in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has come to an agreement with Adrian College that offers direct, guaranteed admission to all current Finlandia University students who are in good standing.

ADRIAN — After recently announcing it will close its doors to students after 120 years of service as an institution of higher learning, Finlandia University in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has come to an agreement with Adrian College that offers direct, guaranteed admission to all current Finlandia University students who are in good standing.

The two colleges sealed the relationship through the signing of a memorandum of understanding, according to a news release from Adrian College.

Adrian College was asked to have admissions counselors work directly with Finlandia University students to provide personalized attention and evaluate and support their individual needs regarding academic program planning and course registration, have its academic departments available to address Finlandia students’ specific needs regarding Adrian College graduation requirements to complete their degrees, and work with the Higher Learning Commission to navigate the accreditation aspects of the teach-out partnership.

Finlandia University had approximately 424 undergraduate students enrolled in the fall 2021 semester — the most recent year for which enrollment numbers are available — and competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division III, the release said.

Adrian College competes in the NCAA Division III with Finlandia University, and hosted the Finlandia in the Bulldogs’ 2022 homecoming game at Docking Stadium. After recently announcing it will close its doors to students after 120 years of service as an institution of higher learning, Finlandia University in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has come to an agreement with Adrian College that offers direct, guaranteed admission to all current Finlandia University students who are in good standing.

According to a Google Maps search, it is about a nine-hour drive from Finlandia in Hancock to Adrian.

Finlandia school officials said the cause for the school’s impending closure was low enrollment. It is the only private university in the Upper Peninsula.

Finlandia President Timothy Pinnow said the decision follows months of "constant and repeated attempts to mend Finlandia University’s finances and enrollment struggles.”

From the Detroit Free Press:Up North's Finlandia University to close after this school year

In a letter to the community, school officials said the move is "due to a combination of demographic changes, with fewer high school graduates available, a steep decrease in interest in going to college among those graduates, and an unbearable debt load."

In addition to Adrian College, Finlandia has also made teach-out agreements with Bay College in Escanaba, Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Northern Michigan University in Marquette and Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.

Current Finlandia students will have an opportunity to compare Adrian College’s programs during a teach-out fair from March 19-21 by speaking with Adrian College Vice President for Enrollment & Students Affairs Frank Hribar and his staff, the release said.

“We want to assure all students that they will receive as much assistance as possible to make the transition to Adrian College smooth,” Hribar said in the release.

Adrian College has several academic and co-curricular programs that overlap with Finlandia University’s. A chart has been shared with students to illustrate those academic programs, the release said. Adrian College staff will work with Finlandia students who are in programs not offered at Adrian, and will review and suggest alternatives that would be a good fit.

Students who participate in the teach-out with Adrian College will ultimately earn an Adrian College degree.

“Adrian College offers many of the same wonderful benefits that Finlandia students have enjoyed during their time on campus,” Hribar said. “Small classes, personal attention from professors, a dynamic athletic and out-of-class experience in a quaint Michigan town are only a few of the benefits of making a smooth transition to Adrian College.”

Information for students incoming to Adrian from Finlandia is available online at www.adrian.edu/admissions/assistance-for-finlandia-students, which was recently added to AC’s website.

Finlandia University was established in 1896 by Finnish immigrants as Suomi College. It is one of 26 colleges and universities affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Suomi College changed its named in 2000 to Finlandia University.

Besides teaching, the university is also home to the cultural center of Finns in North America, the Finnish American Heritage Center. It has offered curriculum focused on Nordic studies, hosted several Finnish exchange students and interns each year, and is home to the Finnish American Reporter, a monthly newspaper celebrating Finnish-American heritage.

The Detroit Free Press contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Adrian College guarantees Finlandia University students admission