Bluffton University news
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.
Zoom at Noon
Adult and graduate program directors will introduced their programs in 30-minute webinars, April 20-24, 2020.
Global health class
Nursing students learn from professionals on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, nurses from Italy and a doctor from Toledo.
That's how we innovate
Bluffton Study Buddies connects education majors with children needing help with academics. In its first 10 days, students from New York to Iowa logged on to the Study Buddies Zoom page.
Beaver-Falcon MAcc Scholarship
Kirk Kauder from Curtice, Ohio, is Bluffton's eighth recipient of a full scholarship to Bowling Green State University's Master of Accountancy program.
Bluffton Study Buddies
Bluffton education majors and student teachers will provide free online academic help and educational games/activities for K-12 students during school closures in Ohio.
Chorale and camerata
Bluffton University will host a spring choral concert featuring the University Chorale and Camerata Singers at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March. 22, 2020.
Deserving happiness
Dr. Jackie Wyse-Rhodes, assistant professor of religion at Bluffton University, will present Bluffton's annual Civic Engagement Day Forum titled, "Deserving Happiness: A Wisdom Conversation."
Preventative Self-Care
Heidi Mercer, assistant professor of social work, will present "Preventive Self-Care: How to live your best life in the field of social work" on March 20.
Social work program celebrated
Alumni and faculty will share stories during the Forum presentation on March 17 to honor the 75th anniversary of the Bluffton social work program.
The Witmarsum wins
"The Witmarsum," Bluffton University's student-driven media organization, earned three awards during the 2020 Ohio Collegiate Newspaper and Website Competition.
A selfie world
David Stamile will speak during Bluffton University's Spiritual Life Week Forum at 11 a.m. on March 10 in Yoder Recital Hall
Tips shared
Three young Bluffton alumni in corporate positions returned to campus with guidance for current students.
Internship experience
Rowena Zuercher '20, a social work and Spanish double major, will share about her Summer Discovery Grant internship experience at Lighthouse Ministries.
Seeking nominations
The Bluffton University Alumni Association is seeking Alumni Award nominations for the Lifetime Service Award and the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.