Bluffton University news

Executive director, Mennonite Central Committee Great Lakes, Eric Kurtz

Faith into action

Eric Kurtz, executive director, Mennonite Central Committee Great Lakes, will explore how Anabaptists put faith into action throughout the company's history.


Director of Musselman Library at Bluffton University, Carrie Phillips

Bibles Through Time

Carrie Phillips, director of Musselman Library, will invite attendees to take a closer look at the historical context of the Bibles on exhibit.


Anabaptism at 500 event, Anabaptist Bible book celebration

Book celebration

Musselman Library's Reading Room will hold "'Anabaptist Community Bible' Book Celebration," at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 9.


Anabaptism at 500 event, Anabaptist Bible exhibit

Anabaptist Bible

Bluffton University will host "Early Anabaptist Bibles in the Musselman Library Historical Collections," from March 9-23, in Musselman Library's Reading Room.


Ed Diller previously served as a longtime member of the Bluffton University Board of Trustees.

Chairman named

Ensuring that Bluffton's history, community and unique traditions continue into the future is a goal of Ed Diller '69, chair of the newly formed Bluffton College Foundation.


To fully fund the Foundation, Bluffton is launching “Distinctively Bluffton: The Campaign for Bluffton College Foundation.” The goal is to raise $12.5 million in unrestricted dollars to build a robust endowment.

Foundation launched

Bluffton College Foundation's goal is to invest in educational excellence, infrastructure and innovative initiatives that will ensure Bluffton's legacy is maintained on the Bluffton campus.


A sampling of love stories that began on Bluffton's campus.

Love along the Riley

Shared classes, mutual extracurriculars, random meetings along the path. People meet and fall in love on campus in many ways. However, like the Riley Creek their connection to Bluffton is a constant.


Emeritus professor of history, Dr. Perry Bush

2025 Commencement

Dr. Perry Bush, emeritus professor of history, will address the 125th graduating class during the May 3 Commencement ceremony in Sommer Center.


University of Findlay's professor of media and communication, Diana Montague

UF History Forum

Dr. Diana Montague will present "Researching University of Findlay's Growth" on Feb. 25, discussing the university's development from 1983-2019.


Jacob Hoffmann plans to study pre-physical therapy and play soccer at Bluffton.

Scholarship Winner

Jacob Hoffmann, from Toledo, Ohio, won Bluffton University's full-tuition Presidential Scholarship valued at more than $150,000.


Bluffton University's Musselman Library

Fall 24' Dean's List

The Fall 2024 Dean's List recognizes students with a GPA of 3.6+ in at least half-time graded courses, with distinction for those achieving 3.75+.


Sydney Grisier, a junior social work major from Bryan, Ohio, will debate Dylan Woods, a sophomore nursing major from Dalton, Ohio.

Senate Debate

Sydney Grisier and Dylan Woods will debate for Student Senate president. The winner, chosen by majority vote, will serve during the 2025-26 academic year.


Greg Mott of the University of Findlay and Dr. Paul Neufeld Weaver of Bluffton University pose with their host family during the UF study trip to Peru,

Study trip to Peru

To conclude his sabbatical, Dr. Paul Neufeld Weaver co-led a University of Findlay study trip to Peru. This is an example of collaboration and shared resources between Bluffton and Findlay.


Professors were invited to reveal the 2024-25 mascots. Dr. Joyce Jackson, education, revealed Jenny Ella Meyers; and Dr. Lamar Nisly, English, revealed J Denny Ally Zvara. Other performers for 2024-25 will continue for 2025-26.

The Big Reveal 2025

Who were in the mascot suits in 2024-25? It can now be told that Ella Meyers and Ally Zvara served as J Denny and Jenny Beaver in 2024-25.


Rev. Dr. Darcy Metcalfe, assistant professor of religious studies, University of Findlay

Forum

Rev. Dr. Darcy Metcalfe, assistant professor of religious studies, University of Findlay, will explore how the wisdom of Pauli Murray can serve us in our divisive times.


Professor of Communication, Dr. Gerald Mast

Faculty Colloquium

Dr. Gerald Mast will explore early Anabaptist approaches to Bible reading and understanding in his Colloquium, "The Bible and Anabaptist Beginnings".


Social work major from Kenton, Ohio, Vixen Hurt ‘25

Library Forum

Vixen Hurt '25, a social work major from Kenton, Ohio, will promote healing between the Christian church and indigenous people through recounting their work.


Distinguished professor of history, Messiah University, Dr. John Fea

Annual Peace Lecture

Dr. John Fea, distinguished professor of history, will explore how American evangelicals evangelicals shifted to embrace fear, power, nostalgia, and culture wars.


Who is in the suit?

Who are the performers behind J Denny and Jenny Beaver? Find out Saturday, Jan. 25, between the women's and men's basketball games.


Bluffton alumnus Dick Boehr first performed in the Messiah as a recent high school graduate.

A Boehr tradition

At Dick Boehr's 75th "Messiah" performance, his passion for the music and the community it creates continues to inspire those around him.


Poet in residence and emeritus professor of English, Dr. Jeff Gundy.

Faculty Colloquium

Dr. Jeff Gundy will give a presentation on Jan. 24, "Phantom Power(s) and How to Find Them," exploring topics like animal behavior, quantum mechanics, and his global research.


A panel of faculty, staff, students, and alumni will discuss the impact of the Anabaptist faith tradition on their lives, on Jan. 28 at 11 a.m.

Anabaptism Forum

A panel of faculty, staff, students, and alumni will discuss the impact of the Anabaptist faith tradition on their lives, on Jan. 28 at 11 a.m.


Bluffton University will host an Alumni and Friends tour of Bosnia, Croatia and Slovenia, June 4-17, 2026.

Bosnia Alumni Trip

Bluffton University will host an Alumni and Friends tour of Bosnia, Croatia and Slovenia, June 4-17, 2026.


Events commemorating Anabaptism at 500 throughout 2025

Anabaptism at 500

Bluffton University will host events in 2025 to mark 500 years of Anabaptism, including films, exhibits, and theater, celebrating faith, peace, and service.


Hannah Plesac '25, MND '26 completed a culinary internship at Purdue University. Hannah's dream is working in the field of sport nutrition, which will now become a reality with the new MND track at Bluffton University

New MND tracks

Specialized tracks in eating disorders and sports nutrition have been added to the Bluffton University Master of Nutrition and Dietetics.


Alumni and trustee Bethny Ricks will present the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Forum.

Decisive decisions

Ways to overcome indecision, evaluate options and make impactful choices with confidence will be presented during Forum by 2006 Bluffton University graduate, author and public speaker Bethny Ricks.


Performances of Handel's

'Messiah' soloists

Erin Alcorn, soprano; Andrew Lipian, countertenor; Brian Skoog, tenor; and Jeremiah Sanders, baritone, will perform the solos for Bluffton's 130th and 131st performances of Handel's "Messiah."


Bluffton University’s fall play, “26 Pebbles.”

26 Pebbles

"26 Pebbles" tells the true story of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, honoring the 26 victims and exploring how the community coped with grief, hope, and healing.


The vacant Berky Hall will be demolished in spring 2025. Funding is being provided by a grant from Allen County Land Bank.

Demolish Berky

The vacant Berky Hall will be demolished in spring 2025. Funding is being provided by a grant from Allen County Land Bank.


“Apostle Paul takes each piece of the Roman soldier armor and connects a Christian value to each piece,” said Rev. Matthew Yoder.

Spiritual Life Week

"Put on the Armor of God" was the theme of fall Spiritual Life Week. Rev. Matthew Yoder, pastor of Grace Mennonite Church, worked with students to explore Ephesians 6:10-18.


Bill and Carole Schumacher serve as advocates with the Arsenic Mitigation Project.

Arsenic in Bangladesh

Relief advocates will describe the crisis of safe drinking water in southern Bangladesh during the Nov. 19 Forum.


Katie Kuntz Wineland will share her experiences of community building.

Alumnus speaks

Katie Kuntz Wineland '13, will speak on "Keep Called and Carry On: Building Promise-Led Lives and Communities" during Forum on Nov. 12.


Musical collaboration

Bluffton University, University of Findlay, College First Church of God choir and Findlay Civic Choir are combining forces to perform Handel's "Messiah" under the direction of Dr. SeaHwa Jung.


Dr. Jacob Buchanan and his students have installed a native food garden in the Bluffton University Nature Preserve.

Native food garden

"Feeding People and Wildlife: Establishing a Food Forest with Native Plants" will be presented by Dr. Jacob Buchanan, assistant professor of environmental science, on Nov. 8.


Handel's "Messiah"

The traditional Advent performance of Handel's "Messiah" will continue in 2024, with concerts at both Bluffton University and University of Findlay.


Top