5 December 2022 News Releases
In recognition of Vappu – Finnish Labour Day and a national holiday in Finland – Huntington University’s Canadian Finnish Institute is proud to highlight the local Finnish culture and publicly recognize Finnish Canadians who have made rich contributions to Canada.
Greater Sudbury resident Hannu Piironen, who has served 25 years in the role of Honorary Consul of Finland, is being celebrated for his dedication to the Finnish Canadian community. During a formal dinner held recently in Greater Sudbury, Mr. Piironen was inducted as a member of the inaugural class of the Canadian Finnish Institute’s Fellowship Program. The award was presented by His Excellency Charles Murto, Ambassador of Finland to Canada and Fellow of the Canadian Finnish Institute, along with Dr. Kevin McCormick, President and Vice-Chancellor of Huntington University and Chair of the Canadian Finnish Institute Board.
“It is my great pleasure to be here tonight to present this award to my friend Hannu Piironen,” said His Excellency Charles Murto, Ambassador of Finland to Canada. “For 25 years, Hannu has been a highly respected member of Finland’s network of Honorary Consuls and has done excellent work in representing Finland and Finnish interests here in Greater Sudbury. On behalf of the Government of Finland and myself, I offer heartfelt congratulations to Hannu and wish him continued success in his endeavours. I also wish to thank Dr. Kevin McCormick and the Canadian Finnish Institute for organizing this celebration for our most worthy friend, and congratulate them for their leadership in highlighting the contributions of Finnish Canadians to the cultural mosaic of Canada.”
“The Finnish community in Greater Sudbury is a big part of our local history. I have been inspired by the passion and dedication which Finnish Canadians continue to show throughout Northern Ontario, Canada and the world. I am proud that our university has a role to play in bringing these stories to the forefront and I congratulate Mr. Piironen for his many years of devoted service to Finland and Finnish Canadians,” said Dr. Kevin McCormick, President and Vice-Chancellor of Huntington University and Chair of the Canadian Finnish Institute Advisory Board.
Hannu Piironen, Honorary Consul of Finland, has been named a member of the inaugural class of the Canadian Finnish Institute’s Fellowship Program. Mr. Piironen has served as Honorary Consul of Finland for 25 years, providing continued support and leadership within the Finnish Canada community. In 2002 he was named as a Knight, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland – one of three official orders in that country. A former lawyer, Mr. Piironen is a past member of Sudbury’s Cardio-Thoracic Society, as well as a life member and past board member of the Sudbury Finnish-Canadian Rest home society. He has volunteered on several boards including the Sudbury Suomi Lions Club, the Sudbury Native Housing Board, Network North, the North East Mental Health Restructuring Committee and the Greater Sudbury Public Library Board. In 2014 he ran in the municipal election as a candidate for Ward 10.
“As I celebrate a quarter century in the role of Honorary Consul of Finland, it comes as a great honour to also be named a Fellow of the Canadian Finnish Institute,” declared Mr. Piironen. “I would like to personally thank Dr. McCormick for his leadership and ongoing dedication to the Canadian Finnish Institute, an initiative which ensures that the accomplishments and contributions of Finnish people, culture and academic institutions are profiled and celebrated.”
Huntington University’s Canadian Finnish Institute also recently announced the recipient of an Award of Excellence established in honour of Ambassador Murto, who was installed as a Fellow of the Canadian Finnish Institute last year. This Huntington University scholarship has been awarded to Alexandria Pakkala, an undergraduate student who has made outstanding contributions to Canadian Finnish Studies.
To learn more about Huntington University’s Canadian Finnish Institute visit: huntingtonu.ca
To view photos from this event please click here.