Faculty

catalog banner

Faculty

Current faculty

Rolando Valdés Aguilar, Ph.D. Visiting professor of physics B.Sc., Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2002; M.Sc., University of Maryland, 2006; Ph.D., University of Maryland, 2008	2026
Jonathan Andreas, Ph.D. Professor of economics B.A., Grinnell College, 1990; M.A., University of Illinois at Chicago, 2003; Ph.D., University of Chicago, 2009	2007
Cynthia L. Bandish, Ph.D. *Professor of English* B.A., Hiram College, 1985; M.A., University of North Carolina, 1990; Ph.D., Drew University, 1998; Union College, 1999-2000	2000
Andreas Baumgartner, M.F.A. *Associate professor of art* B.A., Bluffton University, 2008; M.F.A., Bowling Green State University, 2010	2011
Amanda Beard, M.S. Assistant professor of exercise science B.S., Bowling Green State University, 2006; M.S., Liberty University, 2018	2019
Allen Beatty, E.A., C.P.A., M.T. Assistant professor of accounting A.S., Franklin University, 1990; B.S., Franklin University, 1991; M.S.T., Capital University Law School, 2010	2026
Mark Bourasa, Ph.D. Dean of students B.A., Miami University; M.A. Bowling Green State University; Ph.D., University of Toledo	1990
Jacob Buchanan, M.A. Assistant professor of Environmental Science and M'della Moon Endowed Chair in Botany and Environmental Science B.S., M.S., University of Toledo, 2017, 2019	2023
Emily Buckell, M.A. Assistant professor of Spanish B.A., Bluffton University, 2001; M.A., Bowling Green State University, 2009	2017
Tobias Buckell, B.A. Instructor of English B.A., Bluffton University, 2000	2021
John A. Burkhart, C.M.A., C.F.M., M.B.A., C.P.A. *Associate professor of accounting; Vice president of fiscal affairs* B.A., M.B.A., Bluffton University, 1994, 2006	2015
Casey Czubek, M.B.A *Assistant professor of management* B.Ed., Lourdes University, 2011; M.B.A., Bowling Green State University, 2021	2026
Bethany A. Dario, M.P.H, R.D.N, L.D Director and assistant professor or nutrition and dietetics Matser of Public Health, Grand Canyon University; B.A., Food & Nutrition, Bluffton University, 2005	2024
Charles A. Daws, Ph.D. *Professor of chemistry* B.A., University of Northern Iowa, 1984; Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1993; Hamline University, 1995-96; University of Wisconsin, 1996-97	1997
Tamara J. Forbes, M.S. *Associate professor of recreation* B.S., Huntington College, 1982; M.S., Michigan State University, 1987; Recreation Management Department, 1982-93	1993
Andrea Freimuth, Ph.D. Assistant professor of history B.A., Valparaiso University, 2004; M.A., Lehigh University, 2006; Ph.D., Bowling Green State University, 2026	2026
Melissa J. Friesen, Ph.D. *Professor of theatre and communication* B.A., Bethel College (Kansas), 1994; M.A., Bowling Green State University, 1999; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2005	2002
Cynthia Frye, Ph.D. Assistant professor of education B.Ed., University of Toledo, 1992; M.Ed., University of Toledo, 2011; Ed.S., University of Toledo, 2016; Ph.D., University of Toledo, 2020	2026
Jim Fultz, M.F.A. Assistant professor of art B.F.A., The University of Akron, 1991; M.F.A., Ohio University, 1999	2016
Aron Gibson, M.S., C.S.C.S. Head strength and conditioning coach B.A., Bluffton University, 2016; Msp.C., The Ohio University, 2017	2026
Stephen H. Harnish, Ph.D. *Professor of mathematics* B.A., Goshen College, 1985; Ph.D., University of Illinois, Urbana, 1996; Indiana University at South Bend, 1993-94; Neumann College, 1994-96	1996
Cherie D. Hocanson, Ed.D. Assistant professor of education B.S., Indiana Wesleyan University, 2001; M.A., University of Findlay; Ed.S., Liberty University, 2017; Ed.D., Liberty University, 2019	2022
Joyce Jackson, Ed. D. Assistant professor of education B.S., M.A., The University of Findlay, 1981, 2005; M.S., The University of Dayton, 2008; Ed.D., Bowling Green State University, 2015	2023
Tina Juarez, M.A. Asst. professor of communication sciences and disorders B.S., Bowling Green State University, 1996; M.A., University of Toledo	2022
Claire Kleman, M.B.A., M.S.C.J Vice president of enrollment and communication B.A., Bluffton University, 2018; M.B,A., Bluffton University, 2020; M.S.C.J., Trine University, 2020	2018
Heather Koontz, M.S.W., L.I.S.W.-S. Assistant professor of social work B.A., Bluffton University, 1997; M.S,W., The Ohio State University, 2003	2026
Sarah K. Lehman, Ph.D. Associate professor of biology B.A., Taylor University, 1999; M.A., University of Findlay, 2001; M.S., University of Nebraska, Kearney, 2016	2019
Anayeli Lopez, Ph.D. Assisant professor of social work B.A., Grace College, 2007; M.S.S.A., Case Western Reserve University, 2009; Ph.D., Boston College and ITESO- Jesuit University of Guadalajara, 2019	2025
Gerald J. Mast, Ph.D. Professor of communication B.A., Malone College, 1987; M.A., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, 1991, 1995; University of Iowa, 1995-96	1996
Swathi Mohan, Ph.D. Visiting professor of chemistry B.Sc., Osmania University, 1999; M.S., Wichita State University, 2006; Ph.D., Purdue University, 2010; M.S., The Ohio State University, 2024	2026
Angela H. Montel, Ph.D. *Professor of biology* B.A., Manchester College, 1990; Ph.D., Indiana University School of Medicine, 1996	1996
Christopher A. Morrissey, Ph.D. Associate professor of sociology B.A., University of Delaware, 1995; M.Ed., University of California, Los Angeles, 2000; M.A., Santa Clara University, 2005; Ph.D., University of Notre Dame, 2012	2019
Amy K. Mullins, Ph.D. Professor of education B.A., Morehead State University, 1993; M.Ed., Ohio State University, 1997; Ph.D., University of Toledo, 2013	2013
Darryl K. Nester, Ph.D. *Professor of mathematics* B.A., Bluffton University, 1988; Ph.D., Purdue University, 1993	1992
L. Lamar Nisly, Ph.D. *Professor of English* B.A., Messiah University, 1990; M.A., Ph.D., University of Delaware, Newark, 1993, 1997	1996
Walter Paquin, Ph.D., L.I.S.W. Professor of social work B.S., Western Carolina University, 1992; M.A., Ph.D., Washington University in St. Louis, 1996, 2007; Southeast Missouri State University, 2003-2011	2011
Cathy Patton, D.N.P., M.B.A., R.N., C.P.H.Q., C.C.M.-R. Director and assistant professor of nursing A.D.N., Lima Technical College, 1977; B.S.N. Bluffton University, 1990; M.S.N., Medical College of Ohio, 1998; M.B.A., Tiffin University, 2002; D.N.P., Duquesne University, 2014	2026
Carrie Phillips, M.L.I.S. *Archives and special collections librarian and Director of Musselman Library* B.A., Bluffton University, 1999; M.L.I.S., University of Washington, 2006	1999
Bradley Potts Assistant professor of psychology M.S., California School of Professional Psychology, 2017; Ph.D., University of Akron, 1998; M.A., Ohio State University, 1993; B.A., Bowling Green State University, 1987	2024
Marathana Prothro, M.A. Associate professor of communication B.A., Southwestern College, 2003; M.A., Wichita State University, 2010	2015
Mary Robinson, Ph.D. Vice president and dean of academic affairs B.A., University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1997; M.A., Florida State University, 1999; Ph.D., Florida State University, 2003	2026
Art Shelly, M.C.S. Assistant professor of computer science B.A., Bluffton University, 1985; M.C.S., University of Missouri- Rolla	1987
Chad C. Shutler, M.A.Ed. *Assistant professor of health and physical education* A.B., Heidelberg College, 1997; M.A.Ed., Bowling Green State University, 1999	2005
J. Alexander Sider, Ph.D. *President; Professor of religion* B.A., Messiah University, 1995; M.T.S., Duke University, 1998; Ph.D., Duke University, 2004	2006
Evan R. Skilliter, M.S. Assistant professor of sport management B.A., Bluffton University, 2014; M.S. Syracuse University	2022
Kathryn R. Spike, M.A. *Assistant professor of English* B.A., Bluffton University, 1993; M.A., Bowling Green State University, 1995	2010
Brienne Sprunger, M.A.E. Assistant professor of marketing; Director of graduate programs in business B.A., Bluffton University, 2003; M.B.A., Indiana Tech, 2006; M.A.E., Ball State University, 2013	2021
Philip Sugden, B.F.A. *Assistant professor of art* B.F.A., New York School of Visual Arts, 1977; Certificate de Completion, Paris American Academy, Paris, France, 1981; University of Findlay, 1990-2004	2004
Pete Suter, M.A.O.M. *Vice president of advancement* B.A., Bluffton University, 1994; M.A.O.M., Bluffton University, 2002	2026
Phillip Talavinia, M.B.A. Vice president of student life and athletics B.A., Anderson University, 1985; M.B.A., Bluffton University	1985
Eli Tracy, M.T.S. Campus pastor B.A., Bluffton University, 2012; M.T.S., Conrad Grebel University College, 2016	2026
Jonathan Turner, M.M., M.Div. Director of choral activities B.A., Baptist College of Flordia, 2020; M.M., University of Arkansas, 2026; M.Div., Virginia Union University Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology	2025
Makenzie Twardzik, M.F.N., R.D.N., L.D. Assistant professor of nutrition and dietetics B.S., Bowling Green State University, 2021; M.F.N., Bowling Green State University, 2023	2025
Kelley M. VanGilder Assistant professor of criminal justice B.S., Ashland University, 2003; M.S.W., Ohio State University, 2008	2022
Laurel Neufeld Weaver, M.S.W., L.I.S.W.-S. Assistant professor and field director of social work B.A., Bluffton College, 1983; M.S.W., University of Illinois of Chicago, 1987	2023
Steven Yarnell, M.A. *Assistant professor of* *health and fitness* B.S., 2003; M.A., University of Findlay, 2003, 2005	2005

Faculty emeriti

Robert K. Antibus Professor of biology	1993-2016
Kathleen Aufderhaar Technical services and systems librarian	1994-2026
Daniel J. Berger, Ph.D. Professor of chemistry	1996-2026
Donald Brubaker Associate professor of social work; Director of social work program	1987-2008
Susan M. Bumbaugh Assistant professor of education	1987-2004
Perry J. Bush Professor of history	1994-2024
Timothy L. Byers Assistant professor of education	2001-2021
Carlin B. Carpenter Assistant professor of health, physical education and recreation	1979-2003
Gene Caskey Assistant professor of speech	1962-1998
Sarah M. Cecire Professor of education	2006-2020
Stanley R. Clemens Vice president for advancement; Professor of mathematics	1984-2007
Martina Cucchiara Professor of history	2012-2026
Michael D. Edmiston Professor of chemistry and physics	1978-2015
Jeffrey G. Gundy Professor of English	1984-2021
Richard D. Hansgen Professor of education	1987-2004
James M. Harder President emeritus; Professor of economics	2001-2006 2006-2018
Karen Klassen Harder Professor of business	2001-2020
Harvey C. Hiebert Librarian	1965-1997
Donald E. Hooley Professor of mathematics	1994-2018
Elizabeth A. Hostetler Professor of education	1974-1999
Stephen Jacoby Professor of music	1966-2006
Mary Jean Johnson Director of Musselman Library	2001-2021
Maurice Kaufmann Professor of biology	1963-1993
Randall S. Keeler Associate academic dean; professor of religion	1991-2023
Judith Kingsley Associate professor of English	1995-2006
Paul P. Klassen Professor of social work	1977-1987
George A. Lehman Professor of business	1994-2020
William J. Lyons Assistant professor of business	1988-2011
Mary Anne Moser Librarian	1966-1994
Deborah I. Myers Professor of food and nutrition	2000-2024
Diane Neal Assistant professor of education	1989-2022
Guy L. Neal Assistant professor of health, physical education and recreation	1989-2023
Christine M. Nerad Associate professor of interiors and fashion, retail merchandising and design	2003-2013
Donald L. Pannabecker Vice president and dean of academic affairs	1964-1997
Hamid A. Rafizadeh Professor of business	2005-2019
W. Todd Rainey Professor of biology	1989-2019
Wesley D. Richard Professor of communication	1983-2003
Gary L. Schiefer Associate professor of business	1990-2024
William E. Slater Professor of psychology	1992-2018
Lee Snyder President emeritus; professor of English	1996-2006
Kay S. Soltesz Professor of dietetics	1995-2012
Sally Weaver Sommer Vice president and dean of academic affairs; Professor of economics	1982-2017
Barbara A. Stettler Associate professor of family and consumer sciences	1970-2000
Linda F. Suter Assistant dean and registrar; Associate professor of English	1967-1999
Robert Suter Professor of chemistry	1969-1988 1998-2005
Gayle M. Trollinger, Ph.D Professor of education	1996-2026
J. Denny Weaver Professor of religion	1975-2006
Paul Neufeld Weaver, Ed.D. Professor of education and Spanish	2005-2026

_{July 2026}

Bluffton University

Current students

Parents & families

Faculty & staff

Alumni & friends

Faculty

Current faculty

Faculty emeriti