Donations
Knoellinger Fund
Carl Fredrik Knoellinger was a professor of economics at Åbo Akademi University from 1939 to 1968. Knoellinger bequeathed his home at Puolalagatan 3 to ÅAS in 1983 with the aim of enabling student union members, preferably those studying economics, to live there on as favorable terms as possible. Knoellinger’s original home (87 m²) on Puolalagatan was sold in accordance with his will, and a more suitable residence (64 m²) on Klockringaregatan was purchased and renovated in early 2023. The residence is rented out in accordance with Knoellinger’s wishes. More information about the residence can be found here.
Gösta and Gertrud Branders’ gift
In 1942, Gösta and Gertrud Branders donated a total of 615 shares worth approximately 1 million Finnish markka to the Student Union. These were to be used to maintain the Student Union’s planned student residence, which was named Tavasthem upon its completion in 1950. This donation has made it possible to keep rents low at Tavasthem.
Senator Julius Nummelin Fund
In 1928, Anna Nummelin, widow of Julius Nummelin, wished to honor her late husband by donating 12,000 Finnish markka to the Student Union. Each year, the Student Union awards a prize for the best Master’s Thesis in Political Science, as determined by a designated committee consisting of student union members and teachers at Åbo Akademi University.
Jäger Captain Paul Wallenius’ Fund
Jäger Captain Paul Wallenius died in the civil war of 1918, and his comrades collected 15,000 Finnish mark (markka), which were donated to the Student Union to be managed as a scholarship fund. Each year, a prize is awarded to the union member deemed most deserving of a comradeship award. The Student Union Council selects the recipient of this prize.
The Arvid Sourander Family Annuity Fund
Arvid Sourander bequeathed his annuity book to Svensk-Österbottniska Samfundet (the Swedish-Ostrobothnian Society) to be used after his death. The assets were to be used to establish and maintain a student residence in Helsingfors or Åbo so that students would have access to affordable housing during their studies. At the request of Svensk-Österbottniska Samfundet, the annuity fund was transferred to the Student Union in 1949 and has since been used to maintain the student union building.
The Tore and Herdis Modeen Foundation
Professor Tore Modeen worked at Åbo Akademi University from 1957 to 1997. In their will, the couple stated that part of the foundation’s proceeds should go to the Student Union to be distributed in the form of travel grants to one or more student union members who wish to improve their French or German language skills. The first travel grant was awarded in 2025. Information about the annual grant is published on the website every spring.
There are also other places at Kåren that bear traces of various donors. The apartments at student residence Tavasthem are named after associations and companies that contributed to the construction of Tavasthem. Other areas at Kåren, such as Frimärksrummet, von Knorring, Argentinasalen, and Marlirummet, have been named after donations.
In 2025, the Student Union’s grand piano was returned to the Student Union after being loaned to a private residence for 40 years. It was in need of restoration, which was made possible thanks to contributions and donations. The Student Union is also adorned with donated paintings.
Do you want to make a donation to ÅAS?
If you wish to donate to the Student Union of Åbo Akademi University, please contact the CEO or Secretary General.
