18.03.2025

ISYY awarded recognitions at the 15th Annual Celebration

The 15th Annual Celebration of the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY) was held 14 March 2025 in Kuopio. At the Celebration ISYY awarded distinguished Student Union actors according to its Symbol Regulations. This year ISYY awarded one Medal of Honour, one Golden Medal of Distinction, seven Silver Medals of Distinction and ten Medals of the Student Union. In addition to the awarded Medals the Student Union also awarded 15 Diplomas of Honour.

According to the ISYY Symbol Regulations the Medal of Honour can be awarded to a person, who has significantly furthered Student Union’s activities or goals with their long or very meritorious work.

The person to receive the Medal of Honour is Tapio Määttä, who has focused on promoting student well-being, high-quality education, and an open university community. His influence on academia is significant, and his work has had a lasting impact on the University of Eastern Finland and its students. He has been an active societal debater and a strong advocate for students' rights in decision-making while also promoting more student-centered teaching practices. Furthermore, his work as the Academic Rector of the University of Eastern Finland since 2019 has been essential in advancing the university's development and openness.

According to ISYY's Symbol Regulations the Golden Medal of Distinction can be awarded as an acknowledgement for a person's highly meritorious and productive actions towards the Student Union. The Silver Medal of Distinction can be awarded as an acknowledgement for a person's meritorious and productive actions towards the Student Union. The Medals of Distinction were awarded this year according to the following.

The Golden Medal of Distinction:

• Eetu Hyvönen

The Silver Medal of Distinction:

• Milja Heikkinen
• Miro Helminen
• Niklas Leinonen
• Julia Tenhunen
• Julia Lautala
• Mirka Nieminen
• Jimi Viita-aho

The Medal of the Student Union can be awarded for a person, who has enhanced Student Union's actions, good spirit and culture with their actions. And lastly, the Diploma of Honour can be awarded to a person, who has acted in student or campus association, ISYY club or in other close organisation, and enhanced Student Unions visibility, the cooperation between the different study fields, or has worked for our students interest advocacy in some other way. The Medals of Student Union and the Diplomas of Honour were awarded this year according to the following.

Medal of the Student Union:

• Laura Appelqvist
• Moona Korhonen
• Aino Kuosmanen
• Tuuli Liukkonen
• Ilmari Mäkelä
• Lassi Oikkonen
• Essi Rautiala
• Eevert Taipale
• Vilja Taiponen
• Nicodemus Virtanen

Diploma of Honour

• Benjamin Andreasen
• Noora Artola
• Ville Honkanen
• Kirsti Härkönen
• Eino Kanerva
• Henri Kortelainen
• Jarkko Kuivalainen
• Maija Kärkkäinen
• Matilda Lahtinen
• Matilda Lintunen
• Mikko Miettinen
• Emmi Pelkonen
• Kiia Turunen
• Marko Varvikko
• Kati Vilkki

ISYY congratulates all the recipients of the recognitions. The recognitions can be suggested next time in connection with our next Annual Celebration. We will share information on our websites and social media channels when the time has come.

Read more:

Isyy.fi, opens in a new tab: Recognitions

Further information:

Noora Saramäki, Chair of the Board, The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY), tel. +358 44 576 8400, puheenjohtaja(at)isyy.fi