Bluffton University news
Virtual fall play
"All of the plays are written for Zoom and they've been written since March. They capture the little dramas that are being communicated through these boxes on our screens."
Fall board meeting
The Board of Trustees discussed the Bluffton's strategic plan and welcomed new members Lynn (Woeste '94) Carpenter and Annette (Althaus '89) Heslep at its fall meeting.
Fall Choral Concert
The fall choral concert featuring Camerata Singers and University Chorale will be streamed for viewing starting at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25.
Cast Lists for Virtual Fall Plays
Bluffton University theatre will present five short plays for their fall performance collectively titled "Alone, Together," during three virtual viewing opportunities, Oct. 29-Nov. 1.
Virtual Instrumental Concert
Bluffton University’s fall instrumental concert featuring concert band ensembles will be streamed for viewing at www.bluffton.edu/mus starting at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18.
2020 Harvest Dinner
Bluffton University Nutrition Association (BUNA) will host its annual Harvest Dinner on Friday, Nov. 6. The event will be held in a drive-thru format this year.
Virtual Family Nights
Bluffton University admissions invites high school aged students and their families to participate in a Virtual Family Night in the Fall of 2020.
ODHE Roundtable
Kai Smith '22 represented Bluffton in a roundtable discussion with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. College students from across the state shared how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting their lives and education.
Best Graduate School
Bluffton University was recognized by "Ohio Business" magazine's 2020 Best in Ohio Business Awards for Best Graduate School Program.
Enrollment grows
Bluffton's undergraduate enrollment numbers are on the rise for the 2020-21 academic year. A solid incoming class combined with successful retention efforts account for a 21-student increase over 2019-20 enrollment.
U.S. News & World Report
The "U.S. News & World Report" has again named Bluffton to the top tier of Midwest "regional colleges," and as a Best Value School and Top Performer in Social Mobility.
Economics of COVID
Using unemployment data, polls from economists and graphs charting changes in GDP, Dr. Jonathan Andreas described a recession that evolved more quickly than one ever experienced in the U.S.
Civic Engagement Forum
As a scholar of ancient biblical texts, Dr. Jackie Wyse-Rhodes focused on three books from the Old Testament - Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes - in the Civic Engagement Forum "Deserving Happiness: A Wisdom Conversation."
Opening convocation
"With all of the issues of our day... it is painfully clear that individual actions are not enough. We will only get through this by working together," challenged Eric Kurtz, MCC Great Lakes.
Safe return to campus
Bluffton students begin fall classes on Aug. 17. While some campus events will continue for students, events and facilities will be closed to off-campus guests for at least fall semester.
Enhancing the region
Corporate Partner and Education Partner programs provide benefit-eligible employees and their families a 20 percent tuition discount on undergraduate, degree-completion and master's degree programs.
DEI Committee
A newly-formed committee will work to support all aspects of diversity, equity and inclusion on campus. Its initial focus will be to increase support for Black students, faculty and staff.
Beaver athletics return
The safer return to athletics plan includes competition opportunities for all teams. For some teams this means a spring conference game schedule. For other teams, there will be no changes to the schedule.
2020 Commencement
Dr. David Yost '83, CDC consultant, addressed the 2020 Bluffton University graduating class during a socially-distanced, in person Commencement at Salzman Stadium.
Board of Trustees
During the spring 2020 meeting, Trustees discussed the implementation of the university's newly developed strategic plan, taking action on return to campus plans and reviewing increased diversity and inclusion efforts.
First class of SLPA graduates
Bluffton is celebrating its first class of speech-language pathology and audiology program graduates. The SLPA program was added in 2016 to meet the growing need for professionals in this area.
Scholarly Research
For a quarter century, Bluffton professors J. Denny Weaver and Gerald Mast have been writing, researching and collaborating on projects exploring the Anabaptist peace church tradition.
Golf outing
Bluffton University's 23rd annual Alumni and Friends Golf Scramble will be held on Saturday, July 25, at Bluffton Golf Club.
Classes to resume in fall 2020
Fall semester will begin Aug. 17, 2020. Students will finish fall semester classes by Thanksgiving break and not return to campus until January to minimize the risk of virus spread.
Study Buddies continue
The education department will continue offering free online educational enrichment, Bluffton Study Buddies, in response to K-12 school closures each Tuesday and Thursday through the month of May.
Virtual campus ministries
Chapel continued during its weekly Thursday morning time through Zoom videoconferencing instead of in-person at Yoder Recital Hall.
Peace Oratorical Contest
Gabriel Denecker '21 won first place in the C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest. Denecker's speech sought to demonstrate how Catholic social teaching shares much in common with Mennonite peace church theology.
Academic awards
Bluffton University is recognizing many of its top students for their academic achievements. Thirty-three seniors were honored as distinguished scholars in their respective academic areas.
Alumni Master's Degree Grant
All alumni who earned their undergraduate degree at Bluffton are eligible for a 20 percent tuition discount on Bluffton master's degree programs.
ACT not required
Bluffton is adopting a test-flexible policy for students seeking admission to traditional undergraduate programs.
Athletics respond
Today's Bluffton Beavers continue to be resourceful and accomplish more with less despite their seasons ending early, classes moving online and being separated from friends and teammates due to the coronavirus.
Athletes of the year
Andrew Renner, men's basketball, and Alexis Cash, cross country/track and field, received the 2020 Bluffton senior Athlete of the Year awards.
New science major
Bluffton's major in medical laboratory science prepares students for a career as a scientist who conducts and reads medical tests in hematology, microbiology, immunology and more.
Presidential Scholarship
An incoming student at Bluffton University has been awarded the university's full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, valued at more than $140,000 for four years.
Virtual visit day
High school juniors and their families are invited to attend a Virtual Junior Visit Day on Friday, April 17.