The alumni of the year has promoted the working life knowledge of those studying at the University of Lapland through their activities and made the university a well-known partner. In choosing the Alumni of the Year, the emphasis is on cooperation with the University of Lapland, national or international influence, and acting as a positive example in working life and as a contact person.
The steering group of the University of Lapland's Alumni Activities selected Timo Saranpää as the 2025 Alumni of the Year. LL.D, D.Soc.Sc. Timo Sarapää has promoted the business knowledge of students at University of Lapland and contributed to the status of the university as a partner of collaboration. Saranpää earned his doctorate at the University of Lapland, after which he has made a significant career in the Finnish judicial system. Saranpää is currently Justice of the Vaasa Court of Appeal (2017–), but works as a fixed-term district judge in the District Court of Ostrobothnia. He has previously worked at the University of Lapland and, after embarking on a court career, collaborated with the Faculty of Law by working as a teacher and in expert positions. Saranpää is a competent researcher in procedural law and holds the corresponding title of docent at the University of Lapland.