HANCOCK -- Hirvonen Hall, the new name for the former Hancock Public Schools building above Quincy Green in Hancock, Michigan, is now official, following the July 23, 2022, ribbon cutting, grand opening, open house and visitors' tour. The event was in conjunction with a Hancock Central High School alumni reunion.
Finlandia renamed the building, acquired in 2009, to recognize the Hirvonen family’s legacy -- many years of extraordinary leadership and generosity to Suomi College/ Finlandia University.
Finlandia's new president, Tim Pinnow, welcomed visitors and recognized Mike Lahti, Hancock businessman for over 40 years, who owns the fourth floor of the building and who has served on Finlandia's Board of Trustees since 2011. Lahti and members of his family assisted with renovations of the building, and Mike cut the ribbon for the grand opening.
Finlandia University's new President, Tim Pinnow, addresses visitors at the July 23, 2022, grand opening of Finlandia's Hirvonen Hall, the former Hancock Public Schools building, re-named in honor of the Hirvonen family, who have generously supported Suomi College/Finlandia University over the years. Mike Lahti cuts the ribbon. (Video by Keweenaw Now)After the ribbon cutting, Dr. Fredi de Yampert, Dean of Finlandia’s College of Health Sciences, welcomed visitors in the auditorium and described the innovations to the building.
President Pinnow recognized visiting members of the Hirvonen family, Linda and Mark Hirvonen of Marquette, for their family’s extraordinary legacy of leadership and generosity. Their father, Ray, who passed away at the age of 93 in December 2021, donated over one and a half million dollars to Finlandia in his lifetime in addition to serving on the Board of Trustees for Suomi College/Finlandia University. In addition to Hirvonen Hall, the Ray and Peg Hirvonen College of Health Sciences has been named in honor of the Hirvonen family’s legacy, which began with Ray Hirvonen's father, Matti.
Mark and Linda Hirvonen's grandfather, Matti Hirvonen, a Finnish immigrant, started the family business with bottling companies in Mohawk, Ontonagon, Gwinn, Sault Ste. Marie and Marquette.
"My grandfather had an interest in Suomi/Finlandia dating from his first business in Mohawk," Linda said. "My Dad (Ray Hirvonen) was a teenager when my grandfather died."
Ray attended the University of Michigan and, after graduation, returned to Marquette to take over the Marquette Bottling Works with his brother, Mel. Ray married Margaret (Peg) Johnson in 1951 and they had three children -- Linda, Matt and Mark. Mark Hirvonen worked with his father, Ray, and his uncle Mel in the family business.
"We all started working there when we were 9 or 10," Mark noted. "It was a real family business."
Linda said she worked for the business until the age of 16 and later while in college. Ray and Peg's other son, Matt, also worked at the shop through college, she noted.
"All three of us have served all these years on the [Hirvonen] foundation board," Linda said.
The Ray and Peg Hirvonen Charitable Foundation continues to serve many local organizations in the Central U.P. of Michigan and the Treasure Coast of Florida (where Ray and Peg spent winters).
Ray Hirvonen was very active in community organizations in Marquette and served on several boards, as well as the Suomi/Finlandia Board of Trustees.*
Following the auditorium introduction, visitors toured Hirvonen Hall, welcomed by Finlandia students in the health sciences programs, including nursing and physical therapy.
Mike and Sharon Lahti, both graduates of Hancock High School, joined the tour.
Renovations to the building began in 2019 following a joint venture between Finlandia and Mike Lahti. Finlandia and Lahti are committed to preserving the building’s historical character, enhancing its community spaces and creating inspiring learning environments.**
"As my wife Sharon and I are both graduates of Hancock High School, I am pleased that I was able to be a part of the renovation to make the building, once again, a viable place of learning in the center of our town," Lahti said.
Two former teachers at Hancock High School, Carol and David Waisanen, were also touring the building. They had just returned from a trip to Finland.
The fourth floor of the building houses several local businesses and organizations, including the Superior School of Dance.
Notes:
* For more details on Ray Hirvonen's life, see his obituary in the Marquette Mining Journal here.
** See also the Jan. 4, 2022, Finlandia News article on Hirvonen Hall, "Campus and Community: Together for Good."
