Vocation Across Academy
07/28/2026
Through this funding, the university will expand opportunities for students to reflect on questions of meaning, purpose and vocation through a variety of programming and curricular opportunities.
Bluffton University receives NetVUE grant for Vocational Discernment
Bluffton University is pleased to announce it has received a $65,000 Vocation Across the Academy Grant from the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE). The purpose of this grant is to support vocational exploration to help students develop more effective links between a philosophy of life and preparing for a career, and to include more faculty and students in the work of vocational exploration and discernment.
Through this funding, the university will expand opportunities for students to reflect on questions of meaning, purpose and vocation through a variety of programming and curricular opportunities. The grant also provides Bluffton with the opportunity to secure an additional $65,000 in funding through a matching gift initiative.
"At Bluffton, vocation is more than choosing a career, and we hope that these funds help current students wrestle with some of their biggest questions around identity and purpose," said Kathy Dickson, senior director of advancement and special projects. "This grant allows us multiple opportunities across departments and initiatives – from academics to athletics to student life and spiritual life, to integrate becoming students' best selves while growing at Bluffton. We look forward to this collaborative effort across campus together."
This grant is the second NetVUE-funded initiative awarded to Bluffton University during the 2026–27 year, further strengthening opportunities for students to engage in vocational and faith-focused discernment across campus.
A program of the Council of Independent Colleges, NetVUE is a nationwide network of colleges and universities formed to support and enrich vocational exploration and discernment among undergraduate students. Financial support of NetVUE comes from a combination of membership dues and the generosity of Lilly Endowment Inc.
"Vocational discernment is both at the heart of Bluffton’s mission and an important element of the student experience," said Dr. Alex Sider, president of Bluffton University. "We are grateful for NetVUE's investment, which will allow us to create new opportunities for students to reflect on self in community, explore their calling and connect their education to lives of service and meaningful work."
Driven by our peace-church tradition and a focus on developing students for life as well as vocation, Bluffton has spent 125 years learning, experiencing and bettering the world together.
Located on a 65-acre residential campus in northwest Ohio and lined with abundant
natural beauty, Bluffton University offers more than 90 majors, minors and programs
for undergraduate students. Bluffton also offers graduate programs in business administration
(MBA), dietetics (MND), education (MAEd) and social work (MSW).
Founded in 1899 and affiliated with Mennonite Church USA, Bluffton graduates are prepared
for life; 94 percent are employed, in graduate school or completing voluntary service
within six months of graduation.