In recent years, Bluffton history grads have been accepted into a number of excellent graduate programs, including:
The University of Toledo
The University of Iowa
The University of Michigan Law School
Duquesne University
Wright State University
Georgetown University Law School
University of Illinois (School of Library Science)
Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary
Southern Illinois University
What our alumni are saying:
"The Bluffton History Department is impressive in the fact that it is both academically and ethically engaging. The relationships that can be built among students and faculty will last for years to come, and can ultimately benefit you beyond your time at Bluffton.”
-- William A. Freil, ‘05
Graduate student in Public History, Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
"The professors in the Bluffton History Department teach in an engaging, candid, and thought-provoking manner, making the past much more alive then you would have ever imagined the dry words in your textbook could be. No matter what your interests are, a history major can open up a wide variety of career opportunities for you to pursue - including some you may never have thought of before."
-- Molly Sauder ‘04
Graduate Student, School of Library Science, University of Illinois
“The Bluffton University History Department consists of professors that care and challenge their students to become successful in their professional lives and encourage them to become life long learners. The effort of the professors at Bluffton to have a personal relationship with each student speaks to their commitment to strengthen the knowledge and abilities of the students, and to prepare them to become life long learners. Today, in my classroom, I am able to use many of these same techniques, understandings, and strategies in order to benefit my own students.”
-- Jeffrey C. Fay, ‘01
Social Studies Teacher; Assistant Football Coach
Benjamin Logan High School, Bellefontaine, Ohio
“Bluffton University taught me that history can be brought to life within the classrooms as faculty and staff encourage students to debate and explore various issues. During my study at Bluffton, I was continually challenged in a positive manner that has helped me to grow as a historian and as an individual. An education is what you invest in it. Bluffton University offers you the opportunity to continually grow, question, and learn.”
-- Norma Flores, ‘03
Historical Interpreter, Fort Meigs State Memorial
Perrysburg, Ohio
“Even though my current profession is not in the historical field, my time studying history at Bluffton has still affected me long since graduation. I travel around Ohio for work and many of the places I go, no matter how obscure, have ties to important events in history. Bluffton can provide students with a different perspective to better understand the world we live in by giving them a broader view, both locally and globally.”
-- Sam Park, ‘01
Engineering Technician
Innovative Joint Utility Systems, Gahanna, Ohio
“I quite literally found my calling in the History Department at Bluffton College. As a freshman, I took a European history course from Rick Hite and was hooked. Then I had the honor to work with John Unruh, the finest teacher and one of the best scholars with whom I have worked at any level. John’s prodding and advice led me to graduate school and eventually to a rewarding career of teaching and scholarship. From John, Rick, Von Hardesty, and Ray Hamman, I learned that history is an important, demanding, exciting, and ultimately satisfying discipline. One day the chair of the History Department at Louisiana State University commented with a wry grin, Rable, you were well trained. That was quite a tribute to a Bluffton education. To this day the example set by John Unruh and the other faculty at Bluffton continues to inspire.”
-- George Rable, ‘72
Charles Summersell Chair in Southern History, University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
