[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 116 (Thursday, August 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SUOMI COLLEGE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 1, 1996

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I want to bring to the attention of the U.S. 
House of Representatives and this Nation the 100th anniversary of Suomi 
College, located in Hancock, MI, a small community of about 4,000 
people on the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The 
celebration of this event will occur this weekend, August 3-4, 1996.
  Named for its founders' homeland and heritage, Suomi College was an 
outgrowth of the need for higher education for the sons and daughters 
of the hardy Finnish immigrants that settled in Michigan's Upper 
Peninsula, especially Hancock. They were quick to realize that 
education was a key to improving quality of life in their adopted 
country and wanted to make this opportunity available to all young men 
and women. At the same time, there was a strong desire to retain the 
proud ethic heritage that was brought with them, as well as the 
religious influence of the Lutheran Church. It was out of this 
framework that Suomi College was founded in 1896.
  Suomi College proved early on to be highly innovative by offering 
scholarships, work opportunities, loans and other support services to 
students. It is a college that in its early years often saw gifts and 
tuition payments come, not as cash, but as contributions of food, 
firewood, books and building materials.
  The school struggled financially in the early 1900's, but never lost 
sight of its stated mission of providing a quality education. As money 
was raised in the 1930's for expansion and to provide financial 
assistance, the Great Depression forced these funds to be rechanneled 
to pay for daily operating expenses. In the 1940's, enrollment and 
revenues started to significantly increase only to be halted again with 
the start of World War II. Regardless of these and other setbacks, 
leaders of the school, such as Viljo K. Mikander, who served as 
president of Suomi during their 50th anniversary, provided the 
encouragement to continue, even to the point of suggesting the school 
expand to a 4-year college of liberal arts.
  It is the belief in the institution and its mission by its current 
and past administrations, faculty, students and supporters that have 
allowed it to get through the tough times and become the progressive, 
innovative and growing college it is today. Suomi College is 
establishing an outstanding record and providing excellent 
opportunities for its students.
  Today, thousands of Suomi alumni are present in every walk of life 
and in every area of the country with more than 1,600 area residents 
alone having graduated or completed courses at Suomi. Suomi graduates 
are leaders in law, religion, medicine, administration and many other 
fields and all have as a basis of their education in their course work 
done at Suomi, nurtured in the Finnish heritage.
  Liberal arts and humanities serve as a mainstay for this small, 
personalized, church-related college. Math and science are also 
strongly encouraged in any curriculum. To date, Suomi has been a 2-year 
community college granting associate degrees. However, beginning this 
fall, a new 3-year baccalaureate degree will be offered, again 
demonstrating the innovative thought that Suomi is known for. A 3-year 
degree obtained over eight consecutive semesters significantly reduces 
costs and provides greater efficiency and applicability of courses 
taken and quickly moves young people into the workforce.
  The Suomi College Centennial Celebration this weekend will be 
highlighted by several events including the groundbreaking ceremony for 
its new chapel and library expansion. In attendance for this event will 
be Archbishop John Vikstrom of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of 
Finland as well as Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson of the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and Bishop Dale Skogman of the 
Northern Great Lakes Synod.
  Mr. Speaker, the 100-year history of Suomi College will serve the 
institution well in its second century as it continues to serve the 
Upper Peninsula and this Nation. On behalf of the First Congressional 
District, the State of Michigan and the House of Representatives, I 
congratulate President Robert Ubbelohde, his staff, the faculty, the 
student body and the Hancock community on this momentous occasion.

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