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
