2025-26 Bluffton University News
Life is Long
As the featured Forum speaker, Bluffton University alumni Malissa Takacs '01 challenged students to consider how purpose, relationships and service shape both career paths and lifelong impact.
Sports Discipline Forum
Rev. Michael Danner, associate executive director for church vitality with Mennonite Church USA, will present a Forum titled "Sports as a Spiritual Discipline"
English Festival Recap
Bluffton University hosted Melissa Herrera, writer and author, as the featured speaker for the 2026 English Festival Forum.
Faculty Colloquium
Dr. Anayeli Lopez, assistant professor of social work, will present a faculty colloquium titled "Practicing Inclusion in Challenging Times: Culturally Responsive and Justice-Centered Approaches with Immigrant Communities."
2026-27 President's Ambassadors
Bluffton University has named the students who will serve as President's Ambassadors during the 2026-27 academic year.
Spiritual Life Week Forum
Rev. Phil Yoder, lead pastor of First Mennonite Church in Bluffton, will present the Spiritual Life Week Forum, "Abiding in Alienation."
MSW Program Accredited
Bluffton University's Master of Social Work (MSW) program, conducted in partnership with Goshen College, has been granted initial accreditation for from the CSWE Board of Accreditation.
2026 Commencement Speaker
Bluffton University is pleased to announce that alumni Hannah (Kehr '07) Heinzekehr will address the graduating class during the 2026 Commencement ceremony on May 2 in the Sommer Center.
Social Work Forum
Malissa Takacs, international college counselor and consultant, and Bluffton University Trustee, will present a Social Work Forum titled "Beyond the Major: How Social Work Principles Shape Us All."
Faculty Colloquium
Dr. Chris Morrissey, associate professor of sociology, will present a faculty colloquium titled "Love Your Neighbors--All of Them: Sociological Tools for the Second Great Commandment."
English Fest Forum
Writer and author Melissa Herrera will present the English Festival Forum, "Uncensored: Writing Beyond the Conservative Bubble I Lived In."
Supporting Lourdes Students
Bluffton University is committed to supporting students impacted by the recently announced closure of Lourdes University at the end of the 2025-26 academic year.
Narrative Forum
Campus Pastor to Present Forum on Biblical Narratives and Leadership. Rev. Eli Tracy, campus pastor at Bluffton University, will present a Forum titled "Cyrus, Darius, Artaxerxes, Trump."
Faculty Colloquium
Dr. Jeff Gundy, professor emeritus of English, will present a faculty colloquium titled "Further Adventures Among the Phantom Powers."
Hall of Fame
Bluffton University Athletics has welcomed two standout alumni into its Athletics Hall of Fame, recognizing Lori Schwieterman '83 and Jeremy Best '96.
Keeney Peace Lecture Recap
Bluffton University welcomed alumni Dr. Jonathan Moyer '02 back to campus as the featured speaker for the university's 48th annual Keeney Peace Lecture.
Student Senate Forum
Candidates for Bluffton University's Student Senate president will participate in a Presidential Debate Forum.
Faculty Colloquium
Dr. Jonathan Andreas, Howard Raid Professor of Economics, will present a faculty colloquium titled "Creating a Prosperous Culture."
Cross Cultural Forum
Bluffton University students Emily Jones '26, Logan Daughtery '27, Jordan Garmatter '26 and Cami Hazelton '26 will present a Cross-Cultural Experience Forum.
MLK Jr. Forum Recap
In remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Bluffton University hosted its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Forum presentation, featuring Jonathon Blake Turner, director of choral activities at Bluffton University.