Previous Alumni of the Year of the University of Turku

The Alum of the Year award is given annually to an alum of the University of Turku, who has contributed to the success of the University of Turku and Finnish society through its activities. The alum of the year award will be presented at the University of Turku's annual celebration at the end of February.

Alum of the year recognition has been given to:

  • 2026 Author and Teacher, MA Tommi Kinnunen

  • 2025 Head of DMPK & Safety Sciences, R&D at Orion Pharma, PhD Riikka Oksala 

  • 2024 Director, International Centre for Defence and Security (Estonia), PhD Kristi Raik

  • 2023 director of the hospital services at the Wellbeing Services County of Southwest Finland (Varha), MD Mikko Pietilä 

  • 2022 Mayor of Turku, MSc Minna Arve

  • 2021 Medical Counsellor, MD Sakari Alhopuro

  • 2020 President of the Republic of Finland, LLM Sauli Niinistö

  • 2019 Editor-in-Chief, PhD Ville Pernaa

  • 2018 CEO and Director General at Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries, MSc Aleksi Randell

  • 2017 Member of Parliament, MSSc Krista Kiuru

  • 2016 Minister of the Interior, MSSc Petteri Orpo

  • 2015 Under-Secretary of State, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, MS, MSSc Matti Anttonen

  • 2014 Chief Executive Officer, DMSc Risto Lammintausta

  • 2013 Congress Director, MA, Sari Ruusumo

  • 2012 Editor-in-Chief, Turun Sanomat, MA Riitta Monto 

  • 2011 Regional Mayor, Southwest Finland, MSSc Juho Savo 

  • 2010 Chief Executive Officer, Raisio plc, MSc (Econ & Bus Admin), MSc (Psychology) Matti Rihko

  • 2009 Director, EU Situation Centre, LLM, Ilkka Salmi

  • 2008 Professor, MD Jorma Rantanen

  • 2007 Poet, MA Heli Laaksonen

  • 2006 Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations, MSSc Jarmo Viinanen

  • 2005 Director General, Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela), DHSc, MSSc Liisa Hyssälä

  • 2004 President of the Republic of Finland, PhD Mauno Koivisto