Video: Rev. Philip Johnson, Ph.D., at Finlandia Inauguration

The Rev. Philip Johnson, Ph.D., Finlandia University president, gives an introductory speech during his Inauguration in the Paavo Nurmi Center on Finlandia's campus Sept. 20. (Video © 2007 Gustavo Bourdieu, Keweenaw Now photographer)

HANCOCK -- Finlandia University (formerly Suomi College) held an Inaugural Ceremony for its new President, the Rev. Philip Johnson, Ph.D., a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) with 18 years of church-related leadership experience, including congregational ministry, teaching and administration. He has lived and worked in the United States, Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia.

The Inaugural Ceremony was the highlight of a day of special activities for visitors to Finlandia. It began with a Call to Gather by the Four Thunders Drum of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and Lac Vieux Désert. The Inaugural Celebration Chorus, directed by Gregory Campbell and accompanied by Carla Phillips, sang former Suomi College music director and composer Martti Nisonen's "Olen Niinkuin Pilvi" ("Like a Cloud I Am"), with soloists Ann Campbell, soprano, and Charles White, tenor.

The Inaugural Chorus, directed by Gregory Campbell, performs "Olen Niinkuin Pilvi" ("Like a Cloud I Am"), by former Suomi College music director Martti Nisonen, during the Finlandia University Inauguration Ceremony Sept. 20 in the Paavo Nurmi Center in Hancock. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photo © 2007 Gustavo Bourdieu)

The program also included music by pianist Clay Hilman and organist Carla Phillips. Northern Great Lakes Synod-ELCA Bishop Dr. Thomas Skrenes led the Rite of Installation.

Kivajat, the local Children's Finnish-American Folk Dance Group, performed under the direction of Kay Seppala.

Finlandia University fiber students designed the special Jacquard fabric panels hanging from the ceiling for visual and acoustic effect during the Sept. 20 Inaugural Ceremony in the Paavo Nurmi Center. The students designed the fabric panels for a Jacquard Design course taught by Liz Folk in the spring 2007 semester. Five yards of each of the six students’ two designs are visible in the background of this photo. (Photo © 2007 Gustavo Bourdieu)

The Rev. Dr. Said Ailabouni, senior pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, LaGrange, Ill., delivered the inaugural address. Pastor Ailabouni was born and raised in Galilee in the city of Nazareth. He studied for pastoral ministry at Luther Seminary, St. Paul Minn., and at the Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago. Ailabouni was President Johnson’s supervisor at the Mekane Yesus Theological Seminary in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Rev. Dr. Said Ailabouni, senior pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, LaGrange, Ill., delivers the inaugural address during Finlandia University's Inaugural Ceremony for President Philip Johnson Sept. 20 in the Paavo Nurmi Center. (Photo © 2007 Gustavo Bourdieu)

President Johnson and his wife, René Johnson, Finlandia's interim campus pastor and director of servant leadership, also participated in the evening dance, with music played by the PasiCats and Erik Koskinen.