Joe Garagiola Jr., vice president of MLB baseball operations, presents President Harder
with a $50,000 gift for the memorial project. photo by Kelli Cardinal, The Lima News
Staying connected
by Dr. Hans Houshower, vice president for advancement
By now, all members of the Bluffton University community have discovered a connection to the Bluffton baseball team story that has unfolded since March 2. You may have played a team sport in college, returned to classes or work under difficult circumstances, know or are related to a team member or have experienced the impact of a comparable event in your community. We know this because we have heard from many of you through cards, phone messages, handwritten notes and e-mails. All of us on campus have appreciated these gestures of support and your efforts to stay connected to Bluffton.
I want to share appreciation for the many financial contributions that have been received in response to the accident. More than 1,000 donors from across the country contributed $131,868 to a fund that was established to provide direct support for the players, coaches and families who were involved in the accident. On May 1, President Harder announced plans for the Bluffton University Memorial Field project. To date, the university has received $141,038 in gifts to the memorial fund. You can learn more about the memorial project, including field enhancements that are already underway, by visiting Bluffton's Web site, where you can also “pitch in"‚¬ by making an online gift to this important project.
In the spirit of healing and hope, I am especially pleased to recognize the wonderful gifts of $10,000 from Bluffton students and $12,000 raised by Tiffin University students. The generous and hopeful spirit of this current generation of students reminds us of the importance of our mission-what we do every day at Bluffton really does make a difference in the world!
I am heartened by the realization that students are the ultimate beneficiaries of our charitable gifts to Bluffton. I invite you to continue your charitable support for Bluffton's mission and programs through gifts to the Bluffton Fund, membership in the President's Society and by considering a special gift to help fund the memorial project.
All gifts to the Bluffton Fund help Bluffton provide a transforming education for all students
Please contact the advancement office to explore ideas for giving to Bluffton, including the Bluffton Fund, President's Society, planned gifts and membership in the Noah C. Hirschy Society. Call 419-358-3240.
