ADRIAN — After recently announcing it will close its doors to students after 120 years of service as an institution of higher learning, Finlandia University in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has come to an agreement with Adrian College that offers direct, guaranteed admission to all current Finlandia University students who are in good standing. 

The two colleges sealed the relationship through the signing of a memorandum of understanding, according to a news release from Adrian College. 

Adrian College was asked to have admissions counselors work directly with Finlandia University students to provide personalized attention and evaluate and support their individual needs regarding academic program planning and course registration, have its academic departments available to address Finlandia students’ specific needs regarding Adrian College graduation requirements to complete their degrees, and work with the Higher Learning Commission to navigate the accreditation aspects of the teach-out partnership. 

Finlandia University had approximately 424 undergraduate students enrolled in the fall 2021 semester — the most recent year for which enrollment numbers are available — and competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division III, the release said. 

According to a Google Maps search, it is about a nine-hour drive from Finlandia in Hancock to Adrian.

Finlandia school officials said the cause for the school’s impending closure was low enrollment. It is the only private university in the Upper Peninsula. 

Finlandia President Timothy Pinnow said the decision follows months of “constant and repeated attempts to mend Finlandia University’s finances and enrollment struggles.”