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Representatives from the class of 1964, Harri Tilli and Jouko Ylä-Liedenpohja, and from the class of 1974, Virpi Haaramo, arrived for an interview at the School of Business on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. Both classes had decided to donate their funds to the international student exchange program at the School of Business.

Harri, Jouko, and Virpi's paths led them to the Helsinki School of Economics (today: Aalto University School of Business), partly for the same reasons and partly for different reasons. Harri mentioned that his father had studied at the Helsinki School of Economics. ‘I applied to both the Helsinki School of Economics and Hanken, but because I was lazy, I chose the Helsinki School of Economics directly. To get into Hanken, I would have had to take a language test. I come from a bilingual family, so it wouldn't have been difficult to pass. However, I have not regretted my choice.’

Jouko, on the other hand, is from Virrat. ‘We received Helsingin Sanomat newspaper. The financial section of the newspaper was indeed in Finnish, but I didn't quite understand the content, which sparked my curiosity. The job advertisements for business school graduates in the newspaper were also enlightening. Based on that, I decided to go to the Helsinki School of Economics.’ 

Virpi, on the other hand, didn't initially know where she would apply to study. ‘I graduated from Mänttä High School and my mother said, 'Go to business school.' After completing my Vocational Qualification in Business, I applied to the Helsinki School of Economics. I also applied to other business schools that offered similar programs, but once I got into Helsinki, I thought it was the best.’ 

‘During our time, almost 400 students were admitted, of which over 300 continued their studies after the first year. Some went to the University of Helsinki, and some went to work because they couldn't afford to study,’ Harri and Jouko reminisce.

Personal professors and long student party nights

In the 1960s, politics was not particularly present at the Helsinki School of Economics. ‘Instead, the political atmosphere in the 1970s was strongly left-leaning and oppressive throughout the country. You couldn't express your true opinions. That's why I didn't even run for the Student Union Council, even though I was asked,’ says Virpi. According to Jouko, later, the entrance exams brought new students with a market-oriented mindset. 

The trio recalls how the studies at the Helsinki School of Economics were incredibly diverse, and the language offering was extensive. The professors were excellent teachers. Jaakko Honko taught the introductory course in general business economics. He had down-to-earth authority. A large lecture hall is not an easy place to lecture. Usually, Honko would quietly make a joke that only the front row heard. They would burst into laughter, and even those in the back would quiet down. The rectors would shake hands with each new student as they handed them their study book. Fedi Vaivio and Jouko Paakkanen were also personalities who were a joy to listen to.

Some of the professors were vibrant personalities. Martti Saario always ended his lectures dramatically; he would pull his suspenders and repeatedly emphasize, ‘The purpose of the financial statement is to balance income and expenses’ (at that time, the combined corporate tax rate, state and municipalities, was 60 percent), and then he would slam his hands on the table. Huugo Raninen, on the other hand, would start his lectures in business economics by writing with chalk on the blackboard. He would effortlessly switch hands in between, and the text would continue looking exactly the same. Raninen waited for the audience to react. He knew it would always happen. 

To balance out the studies, party nights were held where Orko Vila started the tradition of singing the Orkon Lenkki, a medley of drinking songs, as a group. The medley, lasting about fifteen minutes, was sung together. The last song ended with the words, ‘Hoi laari laari laa, hoi laari laari laa, it's time to wet our throats,’ and that's exactly what they did.

Emerging internationality and active fundraising 

Virpi mentions that she spent one summer as an AIESEC intern in Germany (IBM in Bonn) through KY student union. At that time, the school did not yet offer student exchange programs as part of the studies. After graduation, students had to arrange and apply for scholarships for studying abroad on their own. Student exchange as part of the studies truly began with the Erasmus exchanges in the 1990s. 

The FINNFOCUS export event in 1968 was a big deal. The year before, in 1967, the class of '64 organized a month-long excursion around Europe, which was also self-funded. ‘We collected wastepaper and organized student parties. However, our best fundraising method was a suggestion from our classmate Pekka Seppä: let's create a magazine and sell advertisements in it. Pekka's family owned the newspaper printing company Lehtisepät, which had two flagship publications: Pieksämäen lehti and Suomen Urheilulehti. We started Lauttasaari magazine, came up with horoscopes and other light content that readers enjoyed, and managed to sell advertisements for it successfully,’ Harri recalls.

Alumni activities and encouraging greetings to the School of Business 

Alumni activities were not known by name during Harri, Jouko, and Virpi's time as students, but class reunions were held. ‘A big thank-you to the School of Business for maintaining alumni activities in a great way, including the mentoring program, which has been rewarding and beneficial for both mentors and mentees,’ says Harri.

‘Through the business and economics alumni association Kauppatieteiden Kandidaattiyhdistys, we have maintained contacts between different classes as well as with the School of Business and KY. Kauppatieteellinen yhdistys, an association for business and economics, also known as Huugo's (Raninen) association, has also been beneficial, although its activities have declined,’ says Harri. ‘Class reunions have been a pleasant way to spend time together, sometimes at Rafla (former Helsinki School of Economics student restaurant) and sometimes at the KY House club facilities. We have also organized gatherings at restaurants throughout Helsinki. In addition, we have maintained alumni spirit through sports. For example, the EKOKY-08 football team consists of alumni from various classes. We played against KY's women's team in our 100th anniversary match,’ Jouko says with a twinkle in his eye. 

The classes of '64 and '74 recently held their class reunions. When considering the wise use of surplus funds, both classes decided to donate their funds to international student exchanges at the School of Business.

The School of Business is truly grateful for these donations that support our students' internationalization. In addition to increasing individual students' skills and experiences, international student exchanges contribute to Finland's competitiveness by fostering important expertise. 

Jouko, Harri, and Virpi encourage current students to think independently. ‘At the School of Business, you learn to see the big picture, which is valuable. It's worth being curious and persistent! The opportunities for interdisciplinary studies are great, and they should be utilized.’

‘Finally, we would like to express our warm thanks to Dean Timo Korkeamäki, who gave a brief and concise speech at our class reunion this fall. He is very pleasant and professional,’ representatives of the classes of '64 and '74 said.

Donations to international student exchange are now even more impactful

Our alumni Tuomo and Tarja Vuolteenaho have taken the great initiative to match all donations made by individuals for international student exchange at the School of Business until the end of 2025. You can make a donation here. 

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A warm thank you to Virpi Haaramo, Harri Tilli, and Jouko Ylä-Liedenpohja for the interview, and to both classes for their donations!

Original text in Finnish by Terhi Ollikainen and Fiona Jokivuolle, translation in English: Fiona Jokivuolle
Photos: Jouko Ylä-Liedenpohja and Virpi Haaramo