Finlandia University 2013 Commencement is Sunday
HANCOCK, MI – Finlandia University 2013 Commencement exercises will take place Sunday, April 28, at 1:30 p.m., at the Paavo Nurmi Center, Hancock. The university expects to award 121 bachelor and associate degrees this spring.
A Baccalaureate worship service will take place at 10:00 a.m. the same day, Sunday, April 28, at the Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock. The Rev. Katherine Finegan will deliver the sermon. Finegan is assistant to the bishop of the Northern Great Lakes Synod (NGLS) of the Evangelical Church in America (ELCA).
Elsa Brule of Channing, Mich., and New York City will deliver the 2013 Commencement address and receive an honorary doctoral degree. Internationally and across the U.S., Elsa’s vision, hard work, and generosity have enriched the futures of tens of thousands of children. From Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and New York City to Southeast Asia and Africa, she champions projects that address illiteracy and promote girls’ education. Brule is among a small group of advisors who serve as special counsel to Finlandia University president Philip Johnson.
Erick Hinsch, the Finlandia University Class of 2013 Student Representative, formerly referred to as the class valedictorian, will also present a commencement address. He completes a bachelor of fine arts (BFA) in fiber and fashion design, summa cum laude, this spring. This fall Hinsch will begin a graduate degree program in wood science and engineering at Oregon State University, Corvallis.
Erica Payne is this year’s alumni speaker. A native of Crystal Falls, Mich., Payne graduated summa cum laude from Finlandia University in 2007, completing a bachelor of arts in rural human services. In 2010 she was awarded a juris doctor from Thomas Cooley Law School, Lansing, and in 2011 she was admitted to the Michigan Bar Association and the Marquette County Bar Association. Erica is employed by Kendricks, Bordeau, Adamini, Chilman and Greenlee, P.C., Marquette and Houghton.
For additional information, please contact the Finlandia University Office of Academic and Student Affairs at 906-487-7512.