Bluffton University news
Expecting Emmanuel
"Entering Advent with the Women of Jesus' Genealogy" will be the Nov. 29 Forum presentation by Rev. Joanna Harader of Lawrence, Kan.
Chamber Ensembles
Bluffton's Brass Ensemble, coached by Dr. Roy Couch, will also perform a variety of music from the Renaissance, American musical theatre and traditional Irish tunes.
Those other duties
When Estée (Arend '13) Hemphill reflects on her rise through the Cleveland Guardians's front office, she places importance on words often overlooked in a job description: other duties as assigned.
Bread sales open
Bluffton Bread Company fall online sales will run through Nov. 22. Order loaves of Pumpkin, Applesauce Oatmeal Cinnamon and Asiago Cheddar early in the week for pick up on Fridays.
19th Varsity sport
Brian Williams will coach, recruit and manage the varsity co-ed Esports program starting in the 2023-24 academic year.
Anne Frank
The story revolves around the confinement of eight people in a tight living space as Jewish families in Amsterdam are forced into hiding from the Nazis during World War II.
"Let's Talk"
During Spiritual Life Week, Flack-Wetherald shared a message on forgiveness during Chapel which resonated with Deborah Yoder '23, an English major from Listowel, Ontario.
New scholarships
Two new scholarships, including the Dr. Perry Bush Scholarship funded by an anonymous donor, were approved during the Board of Trustees fall meeting.
Trick or can
Students go door to door asking for donations of shelf-stable and nonperishable food items from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27. Donations may also be left on doorsteps and porches.
Fall play cast
"The Diary of Anne Frank" captures the claustrophobic realities of their daily existence-- their fear, their hope, their laughter, their grief.
Choral concert
Under the direction of Dr. Bo Young Kang, director of choral activities, the concert will feature solo and duet performances from the Vocal Chamber Ensemble, Camerata Singers and University Chorale.
Fall instrumental
Under the direction of Dr. Roy Couch, ensemble selections will include "Bright Shining as the Morning Sun," "Dancing in Air," "A Sacred Suite," "Benediction," and "...and the antelope play."
Master's degree
Classes are offered online or through Zoom videoconferencing. Once classes and the practicum are complete, program participants are eligible to take the Ohio Assessments for Educators.
Alumni awards
Kathy (Gaines '78) Carr, Brandon Fretag '08, Ed Smoker '63, Denny Phillips '79 and Alison (Lange '05) Bentley, were recognized at Homecoming for their outstanding achievements.
Ceramic works
Gallery hours are 9 a.m-5 p.m. weekdays and 1-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. A reception for the artists will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11.
Spiritual Life Week
Students play a major role in planning activities during Spiritual Life Week, a time for focusing on Christian life. The week includes fun activities and times of worship.
Cross-cultural
Students traveled to Kentucky/Appalachia, South Texas, the Southwest Native Nations and Washington, D.C. Students on international experiences explored the Czech Republic and Guatemala while one student traveled to South Korea.
Civil rights
Dr. Todd Allen, spoke at Forum, pondered the saying “history never repeats itself, but it rhymes.”
Steady enrollment
While the number of first-year, full-time students at Bluffton is slightly down for fall 2022, the number of full-time equivalent students - undergraduate and graduate - is steady at 730.
Endowed chair
An anonymous gift of $1.5 million will fund the M'Della Moon Endowed Chair in Botany and Environmental Science. This chair will manage the Nature Preserve and teaching university classes.
Homecoming
Along with cheering on the Beavers football, golf and soccer teams, the university will host alumni gatherings, campus tours, food trucks, Beaver Tail-Gating and more.
Electoral College
The Electoral College was controversial at the founding of the United States and has continued to be a lightning rod. Insight into this system was provided at the Constitutional Day Forum.
MSW program offered
Classes for a Master of Social Work (MSW) graduate degree with a mental health specialization will begin in the 2023-24 academic year.
The Cuts is open
A new hair salon/barbershop is open in the Multicultural Student Development Center. Stylists from FreshNFaded in Lima will provide hair services by appointment on Sunday afternoons.
Swim coach hired
Dr. Luke Kleman has been named interim head swimming and diving coach.
U.S. News ranking
Bluffton University has once again - for the 25th consecutive year - been named to the top tier of Midwest Regional Colleges in the "U.S. News & World Report" rankings.
An educated person
During her annual State of the University address President Jane Wood called on the campus community to focus on authentic conversations of "responsible citizenship" and "service to all peoples."
"Messiah" rehearsals
Rehearsals for Bluffton's 128th performance of Handel's "Messiah" will begin Sept. 20. Anyone interested in singing, from high school students to adults, is invited to join the chorus.
Lessons from failure
A corporate executive for 18 years, 2006 Bluffton graduate Bethny Ricks spoke at Opening Convocation. Instead of sharing about her success, Ricks shared seven lessons "forged out of my tears."
Under the lights
Bluffton University's first football game under newly installed stadium lights is scheduled for the Beavers' home opener at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, against Adrian College.
Stadium guidelines
Stadium lights have been installed at Salzman Stadium. The university has set new outdoor lighting and noise guidelines for the facility as its usage increases.
Award-winning program
The President's Ambassadors Program has been recognized with a 2022 Independent College Advancement Associates (ICAA) Program of Excellence Award.
New ticket process
Bluffton is partnering with HomeTown Ticketing for all university alumni, athletics, music and theatre events where tickets are required.
Cross Country Coach Hired
Bluffton University has named Connor Gulick as head cross country coach and assistant track and field coach. Gulick returns to Bluffton following two years of collegiate coaching experience.
BoT Spring Meeting
The board continued its year-long efforts on implementing best practices for engaged boards, met with the university's new co-source fiscal partner, Cliffton, Larson, Allen (CLA) officer and learned about student-retention efforts.