The 2005 recipient was
Dr. Donald Schweingruber
Don Schweingruber touched the lives of students, faculty, interns and staff at Bluffton for 33 years. He retired in summer 2005 as vice president and dean of student life. He has been a wonderful mentor and supporter of students, interns and staff and is known as a "Dean of Deans" in Ohio. Don joined the Bluffton staff in 1972 as dean of men.
Don regularly accepted special assignments, including grant writer, chair of President Snyder’s inaugural committee, coordinator of a NCA self-study and chair of the centennial committee. Don also developed or co-developed a number of programs that have greatly benefited Bluffton, including the Tuition Equalization Scholarship Program, the Leadership Development Program and Bluffton’s involvement in the Institute for Learning in Retirement and the Bowling Green State University intern program.
He received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Thiel College in 1963, his master’s degree in student personnel in higher education from Miami University in 1965 and his Ph.D. in student personnel administration in higher education from Michigan State in 1971.
In addition to his work at Bluffton, Don served his profession as president of both of Ohio’s student affairs professional associations – Ohio College Personnel Association and Ohio Association of Student Personnel Administrators. He presented at numerous conferences and has received awards including the Ohio College Personnel Association Phillip Trip Distinguished Service Award, the Friend of the College Award from Bowling Green State University and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Region IV-E Outstanding Performance as a Senior Student Affairs Officer Award.
Don currently serves on the Allen County Health Board and is an active member of English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bluffton. Don and his wife Nancy have three children and two grandchildren.
