Members of the University community receive 55 decorations

The highest decoration awarded at the University of Helsinki this year is the Commander, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland. It is awarded to Rector Sari Lindblom.

The decorations awarded by Alexander Stubb, President of the Republic of Finland, to Finnish citizens have been published on the  (in Finnish) of the Orders of the White Rose of Finland and the Lion of Finland.

This year, members of the University community received a total of 55 decorations, of which the highest was the Commander, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland awarded to Rector Sari Lindblom. Further information on decorations and how to wear them can be found in the guide available on the of the Orders of the White Rose of Finland and the Lion of Finland.

Decorations on 6 December 2025

The President of the Republic of Finland, Grand Master of the Orders of the White Rose of Finland and the Lion of Finland, has decided to award on 6 December 2025 the following decorations to members of the University community who are Finnish citizens and have distinguished themselves in the service of Finland:

Commander, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland

Lindblom, Sari Anne, Rector

Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland

Eerola, Paula Anna-Maria, President of the Research Council of Finland 
Meinander, Carl Henrik, Professor 
Reijula, Kari Edvard, Professor

Knight, First Class, of the Order of the White Rose of Finland

Arola, Tuija Johanna, Dean, Professor 
Autti, Taina Helena, Professor 
Eklund, Kari Kalervo, Professor 
Julkunen, Ilse Harriet Gunilla, Professor 
Kallioniemi, Olli-Pekka, Professor, Research Director 
Kilpeläinen, Ilkka Antero, Professor 
Laakkonen, Pirjo Maarit, Director 
Leppä, Sirpa Marianne, Professor 
Pakkasvirta, Jussi Olavi, Professor 
Peltonen, Leena Johanna, Professor 
Peräkylä, Anssi Matti, Professor 
Piirilä, Päivi Liisa, Professor emerita 
Primmer, Craig Robert, Dean, Professor 
Rummukainen, Kari Olavi, Professor 
Toom, Auli-Mari Hannele, Professor 
Väliverronen, Esa Tapani, Professor

Knight, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland

Niemi-Grundström, Minna, University Librarian 

Knight of the Order of the White Rose of Finland

Immonen, Tiina Marjut, Senior University Lecturer 
Karimäki-Suvanto, Päivi Helena, Project Director 
Kärkkäinen, Pekka Antero, Senior University Lecturer 
Lemström, Kjell Michael Bernhard, Senior University Lecturer 
Merenmies, Jussi Matti, Senior Clinical Instructor 
Peura, Mika Jarmo Ensio, CEO 
Salmi, Anna-Maria, Head of Services 
Tuuliniemi, Arja Tuulikki, Head of Services

Knight of the Order of the Lion of Finland

von Bonsdorff, Peter Gabriel, Lecturer 
Karppinen, Pirjo Anna Kaarina, Liaison Manager 
Moen, Pirjo Hannele, Research Coordinator 
Päivärinne, Sari Johanna, University Instructor 

Cross of Merit of the Order of the White Rose of Finland

Holopainen, Helena Hannele, Specialist 
Koponen, Esko Antero, Specialist 
Kujala, Teija Elisabeth, Specialist 
Näreaho, Leo Juhani, Information Specialist

Cross of Merit of the Order of the Lion of Finland

Laulajainen, Tiina Maria, Education Planning Officer 
Lindman, Mervi Margit, Laboratory Engineer 
Räikkönen, Heikki, Laboratory Engineer 

First Class Medal of the Order of the White Rose of Finland with golden cross

Hakala, Pirjo Tuulikki, Secretary 
Heiskanen, Timo Eelis, Senior Porter 
Inki, Riitta-Leena, Specialist 
Kainulainen, Katja Hannele, Research Technician 
Keskinen, Jukka Kalervo, Systems Analyst 
Kuvaja, Teijo Olavi, Librarian 
Nyyssönen, Päivi Maarit, Financial Secretary 
Oikarinen, Seija Inkeri, Specialist 
Pulkkila, Päivi Katariina, Research Coordinator 
Taari, Riitta Sinikka, Executive Assistant 
Valtonen, Timo Juhani, Human Resources Specialist

First Class Medal of the Order of the White Rose of Finland

Halminen, Kaisa Marjatta, Masseur 
Kämppi, Ulla Maija, Assistant Librarian 
Perez, Chaley Fausto Rene, Masseur 
Pitkonen, Mika Antti Eino, Assistant Librarian