Bluffton University news

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.


A work by Nichole Maye-Luge

Reality is authentic

"IRL (in real life)," an art exhibit by Nichole Maye-Luge, will be displayed in Sauder Visual Arts Center through Dec. 8.


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.


Student debate

Student debate

Should public schools in Ohio should be required to permit religious education? Students in the Argumentation and Advocacy class will debate during Forum on Nov. 5.


Colby Schlabach will present the First Tuesday in the Library Forum on Nov. 5.

Actuarial internship

Colby Schlabach '25, an accounting major from Sugarcreek, Ohio, will share experiences from his internship with Everence during the First Tuesday in the Library Forum.


Online and cohort-based MBA recognized.

Best MBA Program

Bluffton University has been recognized by research.com for having a best Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program in the U.S.


Dr. Jonathan Andreas will explore a new theory connecting social hierarchy to altruistic impulses.

Altruistic impulses

Dr. Jonathan Andreas, Howard Raid professor of economics, will explore concepts of "Benevolence, Bias and Hierarchy" during the Friday Colloquium on Oct. 25.


Spiritual Life Week

The Rev. Matthew Yoder, pastor of Grace Mennonite Church, Pandora, will be the guest speaker for the 2024 Fall Spiritual Life Week, "Put on the Armor of God."


Trick or Can

Collecting food

Members of the Social Work Club plan to go Trick or Treating on Oct. 31. They won't be begging for candy but collecting canned goods for the local food pantry.


Docudrama cast list

"26 Pebbles," a docudrama about the community response to the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, will be performed in November. Cast members are beginning rehearsals.


Students explored the Czech Republic, a former part of the Soviet Republic Czechoslovakia, that reflects remnants of a socialist past alongside a newer capitalist mentality.

Opening minds

Cross-cultural experiences allow Bluffton students to experience ways to approach different cultures with open minds. Students shared learnings from international and domestic trips during Forum.


Maintaining mission

Bluffton University will again be called Bluffton College upon completion of the proposed merger with University of Findlay. The timeline is uncertain. The earliest this could happen is 2026.


Samantha Shrider recounted that her favorite stories began with

Bluffton stories

Samantha Shrider '12 visited with faculty, staff and alumni to record their stories for an oral history project to celebrate Bluffton University's 125-year anniversary.


Cross-cultural reviews

Cross-cultural reviews

Students who participated in cross-cultural experiences last spring will share about their adventures in Czech Republic, Guatemala, Ohio River Valley, Washington, D.C., and Kentucky/Appalachia.


New phys ed major

The new health and physical education major will help address the issue of under qualified teachers teaching health and physical education courses.


Dr. Katherine Fell from Findlay and Dr. Jane Wood from Bluffton spoke to the commonalities of the two universities located just 17 miles apart.

Presidents' address

Bluffton and Findlay presidents collaborated to present the State of the University Forum in the context of the proposed merger with University of Findlay.


As the cornerstone was laid for Bluffton’s first building 125 years ago, President Noah C. Hirschy concluded his remarks with an idea that has proved as durable as the structure itself: “Let us expect great things.”

Best College

The U.S. News & World Report's "Best Colleges" guidebook has ranked Bluffton in the top tier of Midwest regional colleges for 27 consecutive years.


Enduring legacy

Dr. Robert Postic, professor of political science at University of Findlay, shared "The Enduring Legacy of the U.S. Constitution," during the Constitution Day Forum.


2024 Enrollment

Despite 2024 FAFSA issues, Bluffton first year class enrollment is up from last year. Total enrollment, including graduate and undergraduate, is 641.


Bluffton's 125th year

Founded in 1899, Bluffton will mark its 125th year during Homecoming and Alumni Weekend on Oct. 4-6.


An address by Dr. Perry Bush will kick off Bluffton University's 125-year celebration.

Historian reflects

Dr. Perry Bush, emeritus professor of history, will present "Is the Kobzar Still Dancing?" to kick off Homecoming Weekend marking the university's 125 years.


Matthew Nardo, head football coach; Chalsi Campbell ‘12, campus pastor; and Carrie Mast ‘95, associate pastor of First Mennonite Church, Bluffton, served as panelists for “Faith and Memory in Challenging Times.”

Remember your faith

A football coach, campus pastor and an alumnus walk onto stage. Personal stories of faith and memory were shared to introduce the 2024-25 Civic Engagement Theme.


Samantha Shrider ‘12 gathered stories of everyday memories from Bluffton alumni, faculty and staff in preparation for the university's 125th year.

Not-So-Secret History

Unexpected stories emerged from Bluffton alumni, faculty and staff interviews in preparation for the university's 125th year. Samantha Shrider '12 will share these stories during Forum on Oct. 1.


State of the University

Presidents Dr. Jane Wood and Dr. Katherine Fell will present the annual State of the University address in context of the proposed merger of Bluffton University and University of Findlay.


This one-man show incorporates screens projecting flashbacks and imagery.

Cinematic theatre

"Bonhoeffer: Cell 92" depicts the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German pastor and leader in opposition to the Nazi regime, in a one-man theatre production based on diaries and other primary sources.


Dr. Melissa Friesen will present on her summer research.

Summer research

Dr. Melissa Friesen, professor of theatre and communication, will present the Friday Colloquium, "Are you loving it? New theatre from the Toronto Fringe Festival."


Dr. Robert Postic, University of Findlay professor of political science

Constitution Day Forum

The persistent resilience of the U.S. Constitution despite past and present challenges will be examined during the Sept. 17 Forum presentation.


Artist's reception with Justin Johnson set for Saturday, Oct. 5.

Opening art exhibit

"Lamentations that describe tragedy through abstraction" by artist Justin Johnson will be displayed in the Grace Albrecht Gallery through Oct. 5, 2024.


Dr. Lamar Nisly will discuss his summer research during Friday Colloquium.

Friday colloquium

Dr. Lamar Nisly spent the summer seeking to understand why authors write a late novel in a very different genre than was their typical approach.


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