Beavers All
I'm a Beaver. You're a Beaver. We’re Beavers All. And when we get together, we do
the Beaver Call.
B E A - V E R Beavers. Beavers. Go Beavers!
Bluffton has been known as The Beavers since the late 1920s when long-time coach A.C.
Burcky noted that Beavers are resourceful, accomplish more with less (“works with
twigs, building up large things from small”) and work to leave the world a better
place (“never does things any worse than its ancestors did.”)
Let us celebrate the many ways that we are Beavers All!
Calculus tutor
Cael Rose '26, a math major from St. Paris, Ohio, is doing his part to foster a sense of community on campus by tutoring in the Learning Resource Center.
Sprinting to the future
"I have the Boston Marathon, then graduation, the cross-cultural trip and then a few days later I start my master's classes."
Relating to struggles
Having overcome struggles with math as a child, Morgan Deffenbaugh, a primary P-5 education/intervention specialist major, is now helping teach the Basic Math class.
First-year teaching
First year classroom experience required for all education majors confirmed for Ashley Kloeker her desire to teach. However, she realized her true passion is in connecting with older students.
Student success
Director of Student Success Christy Garmatter will build relationships through the Day One Ready process for incoming students and the Bluffton 360 platform for current students.
Online MSW meets needs
"The discussions in class, whether they're with the professors or the other students, are so beneficial to helping solidify the material we are reading and learning."
Mascots revealed
"It was a diverse group, but we came together even though we were working with people outside of our normal friend groups. Working with them secretly was really fun."
Cross cultural x2
"Originally, I was only going to go for six months. My Spanish was improving a lot, but I wasn't as fluent as I was hoping to be so that's when I started to wonder if I could do this again."
Teaching in ministry
Caitlin Bennett '24 started at Bluffton as an intervention specialist major but ultimately found her vocation in ministry rather than education.
Chicago internship
Trin Borgman is considering a career in school social work but will further explore her options with social work field experience at the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture.
First MND cohort
"I'm learning so much more about the field of dietetics in general and what you will need to know as a dietitian."
Art and writing major
Basil Gates, an inspiring graphic novel author/illustrator gains experience as an art and writing major and member of literary journal editorial team.
Paid internship
Anton Miller is a paid intern for Refuge 461, a spiritual formation organization organized by Marcella Ciccotelli, a United Methodist Church pastor.
Future engineer
"The one-on-one work is a lot of help. It's a lot easier to talk to your professor when you have an issue. We can prepare and talk about my future."
Chemistry and coaching
A future as a science teacher and coach was confirmed for chemistry major J.T. Taviano by his student teaching experience and serving as a volunteer football coach.
Pre-PT internship
"It's very interesting. I'm learning new exercises people can do and the way you can manipulate one exercise to target completely different muscle groups."
Second-place ceramic
Rosanna Barber's pit-fired vase "Trial by Night" won second place at the Findlay Art League's Ceramic Show. TR Steiner, ceramics instructor, took home Best of Show.
Experience in the lab
“I’m getting a lot of experience. I’m learning about the tests, why we’re running them, what they’re for and what you can assume based on the results.”
A quest to help people
Originally a nursing major, Cheyanne Bolden switched to psychology because she likes learning about how people work. Then a summer experience led her to add a major in social work.
Filling a need
"Especially being African American, the kids need you. People with backgrounds similar to you need you because yours is a face that's not common in the teaching profession."
A summer in DC
Olivia Daugherty '24, a communication and media major, spent the summer in Washington, D.C., as a Climate Change Ambassador for the Anabaptist Climate Collaborative
Helping others succeed
Ella Meyers '26, an intervention specialist major, isn't waiting until graduation to start helping people with disabilities. She is working now with clients to meet their personal goals.
Sports broadcasting
Andrew Collinsworth '25 works as a student assistant in Bluffton's public relations office developing social media content and creating visuals such as game-day graphics.
Building an app
"There was one point I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do it. I messaged Dr. Mullins and she was, 'No, we have this.' That gave me the confidence to continue."
Intro to logistics
"Anything from hazmats to groceries. They move absolutely everything... You see semis out on the road... Now, I wonder what they're moving. It changes your perspective."
Gaining confidence
"People with drug addiction often find themselves in the criminal justice system, so having educational background in criminal justice as well as psychology will help me to help them."
Grab every opportunity
"If somebody suggests you do something at Bluffton, take their advice and do it." Advice from Jackson Clark, a business administration and marketing double major.
More than sisters
Roommates. Teammates. And yes, sisters. Brittney and Karley Ramirez create their home away from home at Bluffton.
Her future is clear
It's optometry-based and looks into how nutrition effects the health of the eye." A research project mentored by Bluffton professor of biology.
Social work internship
We're doing a lot of trauma informed care and a lot of activities around emotional regulation, but sometimes we just hang out with the kids. Other times, there's a parent-child activity."
Then to find a major
Before I even talked to anyone on campus, it just felt like home. As soon as I got out of the parking lot, I was like 'this is it.'"
Welcome to Bluffton
When Emily Buss '25 visited Bluffton University in high school, the campus community fit all her requirements--it was close to family, offered her major and provided a friendly environment.
Freelance designer
Graphic design major Matt DeRitter runs two graphic design businesses, MDR Designs, to develop logos and brand guidelines, and MRDR Graphics, which focuses on racing graphics.
Campus leader
I visited in the middle of July and decided let's give this a try. I went to the last orientation, and I was like, 'yep, I'm coming here.' I've loved it ever since."
Exploring choices
Social work major Katie Fleshman originally pursued accounting. But the major never really felt right. Then, a comment from a professor led Fleshman to further explore her choice.
Go where you are happy
Kennedy Parker '25, a communication and media major and two-sport athlete, transferred to Bluffton after a frustrating first year at a different university.
Figuring it out
Heather Sauder was initially stuck between an elementary education or accounting major. Now that she's chosen education, she's pondering between a TESOL or traditional classroom.
Teaching peace
It's been a successful start to the [Teaching Peace to Children] program. We are planning to duplicate it in the fall. It's important to familiarize children with these topics."
Competitive internship
It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. It's all paid. They're even paying for my living expenses. It's a full-time job doing something I actually want to do!"
Making history fun
Kyle Jolliff '26, a history major, confirmed his vocation by shadowing teachers at Ada High School as a first-year student. He gained additional experience by substitute teaching.