Bluffton University news

Having brave conversations leads to stronger relationships, according to Forum speaker Andrea Flack-Wetherald.

Brave conversations

Andrea Flack-Wetherald, social worker, author, comedian and 2010 Bluffton graduate, shared tips for holding difficult conversations and explained how these conversations can lead to wellness.


Hand-crafted pottery available for sale.

Pottery sale

Original pieces of pottery by Bluffton University students will be sold in the Yoder Recital Hall lobby, Dec. 1-3.


Soloists for the 2024 Bluffton University 'Messiah'

'Messiah' soloists

Val Sibila, Kira McGirr, Frederick A. Peterbark and Max Pivik will be soloists for the 2024 performance of Handel's "Messiah" on Sunday, Dec. 10. Free tickets are required.


The band will present several medleys of both favorites and lesser-known music. The concert will conclude with an audience sing-along.

Holiday Concert

The Holiday Collage Concert will be on Dec. 3 at 2:30 p.m., and the Christmas Festival Forum on Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. will feature holiday music and Christmas medleys.


Soloists along with the Bluffton Choral Society including students, faculty, staff and community members will be accompanied by an orchestra.

Messiah

Bluffton University will present its 129th performance of Handel's "Messiah" at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10, in Yoder Recital Hall.


Buckell is a “New York Times” bestselling writer and World Fantasy Award winner who has also been nominated for the Hugo and Nebula awards.

Novel release

An author event celebrating the release of Tobias S. Buckell's novel, "A Stranger in the Citadel," will be held at 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 30 in the Reading Room of Musselman Library.


Quantum mechanics, Jungian inner landscapes and God are likely to come up, as will Dr. Jeff Gundy’s recent travels to South Africa, Morocco and Greece.

"Phantom powers"

Dr. Jeff Gundy will present the Colloquium, "Phantom Power: Words and Notes," at 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1 in Centennial Hall's Stutzman Lecture Hall.


During the presentation, Andrea Flack-Wetherald will discuss how to engage in brave conversations to strengthen emotional well-being.

Brave conversations

Andrea Flack-Wetherald '10, social worker, comedian, and author, will speak during the Forum at 11 a.m. on Nov. 28 in Yoder Recital Hall about engaging in brave conversations.


The money will provide up to $10,000 in financial support to 13 Bluffton social work majors, current juniors and seniors, who are pursuing careers in high-need areas such as substance abuse counseling and mental-health treatment.

Grant funding

Bluffton received $130,000 in Great Minds Fellowship Grant funding as part of a statewide effort to encourage more students to pursue behavioral health-related professions.


The exhibit is currently on display and will be open through Dec. 8. Featured pieces blend painting, photography, graphic design and augmented reality.

Artist reception

Artist reception for Georgio Sabino III and his exhibit "The Artistic Jungle Series" from 1-3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 19, in the Grace Albrecht Gallery of Sauder Visual Arts Center.


The Bluffton University Brass Quartet will perform a varied program including music by Gustav Holst, George M. Cohan, J.S. Bach and Zequinha Abreu as well as traditional folk songs.

Fall Chamber Concert

Fall Chamber Ensemble Concert will be presented at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 19 in Yoder Recital Hall under the direction of Dr. Roy Couch.


Rich Bindernagle, Dr. Michael Anthony, Dr. Ruth Abaya and Greg Wannemacher

Alumni honored

Athletics Hall of Fame and Alumni Awards were presented to Greg Wannemacher '77, Dr. Ruth Abaya '05, Rich Bindernagel '79 and Dr. Michael Anthony '07.


Trustees approved moving $2 million from estate gifts into endowment and operations funds.

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees met in October for their annual fall meeting. During the meeting, President Jane Wood provided an update on the strategic plan and shared new initiatives.


Based in rural Wisconsin, the famed “healing waters” of Paragon Springs have been mysteriously poisoned, and Dr. Thomas Stockman is determined to share the truth no matter the consequences.

Paragon Springs

First staged 23 years ago and set nearly 100 years ago, "Paragon Springs" was chosen by director Dr. Melissa Friesen because the issues presented transcend time.


“Your past does not define you. Not one professor held my past against me,” explained Glick. “In fact, they cheered me on.”

It's okay to fail

2007 alumnus David Glick returned to campus for Spiritual Life Week. Glick provided the Forum and Chapel messages and worked with students as they explored the theme "Be Rooted."


Early Interval will perform works from the Renaissance set against contemporary poetry about the environmental crisis.

Ecological history

A Forum juxtaposing attitudes from the Renaissance with today's climate crisis will be followed by an evening performance of "Music and Poetry for a Regenerative Earth."


Former Bluffton police chief discusses the importance of reducing stigma for those living with or supporting someone living with mental health and substance abuse challenges.

Reducing stigma

Rick Skilliter, a certified prevention specialist from Ohio, will present the Forum, "Living in Mental Wellness," at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7 in Yoder Recital Hall.


During the presentation, Mast will share new understandings of the theological premises for what Menno Simons called “true evangelical faith.”

Evangelical faith

Dr. Gerald J. Mast will present the Colloquium, "The Conversion of Menno Simons to a Penitential Faith of Power and Works," at 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 10, in Stutzman Lecture Hall.


Donations may also be left on doorsteps and porches to be collected; food items will be delivered to the Bluffton Community Assistance Corporation’s food pantry.

'Trick or can'

Members of the Social Work Club will take part in a "trick-or-can." Students will go door to door asking for donations of shelf-stable and nonperishable food on Thursday, Oct. 26.


Set in 1926 in the American heartland, the famed “healing waters” of Paragon Springs have been mysteriously poisoned.

Theatre cast list

The lure of capitalism and the greed of small-town-self-interest will be explored in the Bluffton University Theatre presentation of "Paragon Springs" by Steven Dietz.


Rev. David Glick will reflect on the theme

Spiritual Life Week

Rev. David Glick will reflect on the theme "Be Rooted" during fall Spiritual Life Week. On Tuesday, Oct. 24, Glick will share "Things I Learned While in College."


The Grace Albrecht Gallery will host the art exhibit

Art exhibit

The Grace Albrecht Gallery will host the art exhibit "The Artistic Jungle Series" by Georgio Sabino III. Featured pieces blend painting, photography, graphic design and augmented reality.


Universal Choral will perform selections including “Gaelic Song of the Boatman” by Sine NicFhionnlaigh, “Weep No More” by David Childs, and “Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen” from German Requiem by Brahms.

Choral Concert

The Fall Choral Concert will be held on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 2:30 p.m. in Yoder Recital Hall under the direction of Dr. Bo Young Kang.


Bluffton University’s fall instrumental concert featuring the Concert Band will be held on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 2:30 p.m.

Fall Instrumental

The fall instrumental concert featuring the Concert Band will be held on Oct. 22 at 2:30 p.m. under the direction of Dr. Roy Couch.


Corporate Partnership

A 20% tuition discount on graduate programs is just one of the benefits provided by a new corporate partnership between Grob Systems, Inc., and Bluffton University.


Alumni weekend

Along with cheering on the football, volleyball and swim teams, the Beavers will host alumni gatherings, food trucks, Beaver Tail-Gating and more for homecoming and alumni weekend.


A Line is a Point

Artist reception

An artist reception for Kathleen Pahl and her exhibit "A Line is a Point" will be held Saturday, Oct. 21, in the Sauder Visual Arts Center.


Applications open soon for spring 2024 experiences to the Czech Republic, Guatemala, Kentucky, the Ohio River Valley and Washington, D.C.

Cross Cultural Forum

Students who participated in spring 2023 short-term cross-cultural experiences spoke during Forum.


Jacob Buchanan will share research from his dissertation.

Prairie wetlands

Research into the prairie wetlands will be shared by Jacob Buchanan, M'Della Moon endowed chair in botany and environmental science, during the Oct. 13, 2023, Friday Colloquium presentation.


2023-24 Enrollment

Bluffton University enrollment for 2023-24 includes 205 new traditional undergraduate students (up from 172 a year ago) and 54 new graduate students (a 50 percent increase.)


Robin Bowlus, vice president of advancement and enrollment management; Lyle Miller, Everence; Greg Liestman, Everence; Jane Wood, president; and Ed Basinger, Everence, following the gift presentation.

$1.8 million gift

“John and Erma (Stutzman) wanted their generosity to extend beyond their lifetime and the financial gift from their estate will have the potential to create this type of legacy.”


President Jane Wood shares the State of the University for 2023-24.

State of the University

President Jane Wood announced a major gift, explained how the state of each student directly impacts the state of the university and shared successes from the year.


Judge David A. Rodabaugh, Lima Municipal Court, presented the 2023 Constitution Day Forum.

Constitution Day

Judge David A. Rodabaugh, Lima Municipal Court, discussed the recent Supreme Court decision for 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis. The case dealt with matters of free speech, nondiscrimination and LGBTQ-rights.


The university and community join in this traditional town-gown advent performance.

Join the chorus

Perform Handel's "Messiah" with the Bluffton University community on Dec. 10. Vocalists high school age and older are invited to join the chorus. Weekly rehearsals begin Oct. 3.


U.S. News ranking

"U.S. News & World Report" once again named Bluffton University to the top tier of Midwest Regional Colleges. This is Bluffton's 26th consecutive year to be ranked.


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