Bluffton University news
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.
Pottery sale
Original pieces of pottery by Bluffton University students will be sold in the Yoder Recital Hall lobby, Dec. 1-3.
'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.
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.
Messiah
Bluffton University will present its 129th performance of Handel's "Messiah" at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10, in Yoder Recital Hall.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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.
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.
'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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cross Cultural Forum
Students who participated in spring 2023 short-term cross-cultural experiences spoke during Forum.
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.)
$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.”
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.
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.
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.