Class reunion
No way it’s been 50 years!
Class of 1975 50 year reunion
Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025
at Homecoming
| 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Lunch and time of sharing Marbeck Center/lower level Kreider Room $15 |
| 1:30 p.m. | Football game vs. Manchester Admission is $10 adults/$5 for children/senior citizens |
Who is coming to the reunion?
Class gift
Beavers traditionally combine resources towards a 50-year Class Reunion Gift. This
summer Berky Hall was torn down. It was built in 1915 and named for Bluffton’s first
science professor, H.W. Berky. In its place will be a cul-de-sac drive providing emergency
access to Centennial Hall, Knowlton Science Center, Shoker Science and Founders Hall.
The Class of 1975’s 50th Reunion Gift will fund a gazebo and landscaping near this cul-de-sac. The estimated cost of the project if $15,000. We hope that you will join us in making a charitable gift to “Bluffton University – Class of 1975 Gift.”
Renewing connections
| Name | Town | Spouse | Attending the Reunion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosie Grady Chapman | Washington, Mich. | No | |
| Current activities | I am a retired school social worker with Utica Community Schools in Shelby Township, Mich. I am also a professional storyteller, therapist, art therapist, photographer and mixed media artist. | ||
| Bluffton’s impact | Bluffton allowed me to hone my skills as an English teacher and a performing artist. | ||
| Sharon (Slater) Fontaine | Hopkinton, Mass. | Rob Fontaine |
No |
| Current activities | Pianist with contemporary worship band at church. Retired choral singer, past volunteer at local arts center. Interests include reading, Biblical studies, and travel. | ||
| Bluffton’s impact | The Bluffton music department prepared me well for my musical endeavors over the years. Also lifelong friends and many special memories. | ||
| Dan. L. Merkel | Findlay, Ohio | Janet K. (Inbody ’73) Merkel |
Yes |
| Current activities | Retired. Active model railroader and photographer. Father of 1 daughter, grand father of 3. Enjoy cruising and railfanning. | ||
| Bluffton’s impact | I received a good education, met the love of my life and made many lifelong friends. | ||
| Anthony L. Panozzo | Plainfield, Ill. | Yes | |
| Current activities | Upon graduation, I remained in Ohio and taught high schoolers for a period of three
years in the Kenton School District. However, a career change and opportunity presented
itself. Most of my career has been centered in the elevator industry. I worked in
Illinois and Ohio. My retirement occurred in 2016 from Otis Elevator.(Cleveland). Boredom continued to confront me post-retirement. After lengthy deliberation, I applied and tested to be a licensed elevator inspector. I hold a national license and have done so in Illinois. Wisconsin, Missouri and Nevada. I have two children, Anthony and Nicole, and a handsome 12-year-old grandson. He is a handful. I enjoy golf, of course, and the NFL. I travel frequently (mostly warm venues) and the tropics have become my favorite. |
||
| Bluffton’s impact | I enjoyed my time there, and many of the personnel encounters along the way. I do regret losing touch with a few, but for the most part, life marches on. 50! (ynotpan@sbcglobal.net) Feel free to drop in and say, ‘Hello.’ | ||
| Mark Roeschley | Graymont, Ill. | Jane Thorley Roeschley ’75 | Yes |
| Current activities | Farmer and seed businessman | ||
| Bluffton’s impact | The academics and sports and music participation prepared me for life. The relationships that I formed at BC shaped my worldview and and have sustained me since. | ||
| Michelle Lehman Snyder | Wind Point, Wis. | Yes | |
| Current activities | Retired teacher, play recorders in two groups and still play oboe and reenactment of Revolutionary War military officers band. | ||
| Bluffton’s impact | Bluffton gave me a great foundation for teaching and coaching. Lifelong friends have been a plus! |