Finland’s Ambassador to the U.S. Speaks at Scranton (Photos + Video)
The University of Scranton welcomed Leena-Kaisa Mikkola and others as part of the ninth presentation in the Jay Nathan, Ph.D., Visiting Scholar Lecture Series. The event on Thursday, Jan. 15, featured a lecture, live performances and a reception.The ninth presentation in the Jay Nathan, Ph.D., Visiting Scholar Lecture Series featured remarks by a career diplomat and additional programming that celebrated her native country.
Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, Ambassador of Finland to the U.S., participated in the program, titled, “Finland: History. Culture. Economy,” on Thursday, Jan. 15, at the PNC Auditorium inside The University of Scranton’s Loyola Science Center.
Mikkola, who previously served as Ambassador to China (2021-2024) and Israel (2011-2016) and as Director General for Africa and the Middle East (2017-2021), has been in her current role since September 2024. She spoke alongside Petri Koikkalainen, senior specialist for science and higher education.
In addition to the lecture, the evening’s events included live performances by Finnish singer Josefin Silén and Finnish classical pianist Markus Kaitila, as well as a reception.
Previous Nathan lecturers have included representatives from Denmark, Iceland, Lithuania, Romania, India, Thailand, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
For more information, please see the series’ webpage on The University of Scranton’s website.
