Bluffton University news
Ambassadors named
President's Ambassadors for 2023-24 have been named. They will receive professional development training and will engage with prospective students, alumni and donors.
Presidential Scholars
Logan Daugherty and Abbigail Martin, incoming students at Bluffton University, have been awarded the full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, valued at nearly $140,000 for four years.
'Quilters' musical
Through music, story and dance, the challenges and joys women faced on the North American frontier will be performed as the spring musical "Quilters."
Commencement speaker
Kathy (Gaines) Carr, a 1978 Bluffton graduate, long-time educator and community advocate, will address the 2023 graduating class during the May 6 Commencement ceremony.
A look into the past
History students “put their fingers on the bones of Lima’s historic African American neighborhood” in Perry Bush’s Theory and Application class. “What they found is significant,” said Bush.
Cross-cultural
Immersed in new environments, participants experience diverse lifestyles, make new friendships and learn respect for other heritages all while meeting personal challenges which build character.
Board action taken
The Board of Trustees approved a new construction project and a grant for students, recognized retiring faculty and welcomed a new board member during its annual winter meeting.
Fischer Press Box
Construction for the Coach Kim Fischer Softball Press Box will start in May 2023. Former student-athletes, fans and friends contributed toward the two-story building.
Sustain leadership
President Dr. Jane Wood was one of just 15 college presidents selected for The Council of Independent Colleges' Presidential Renewal Program.
Citizenship for COs
Following World War I, prospective US citizens were asked: "Are you willing to take up arms in defense of country?" The impact of this question on pacifists was discussed at Forum.
Not just an assignment
Students of Dr. Gerald Mast's Religious Communication class developed study notes to submit for possible inclusion in the Anabaptist Community Bible.
Student-run business
From developing and standardizing recipes to streamlining the online shopping cart, Bluffton University students are gaining hands-on learning experiences through the Bluffton Bread Company.
Full accreditation
Bluffton's nursing program has been granted the full five-year accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the nation's leading accrediting agency for nursing programs.
New wood-fired kiln
Behind Sauder Visual Art Center, there is a newly built wood-fired kiln constructed by ceramics students and T.R. Steiner, adjunct professor of art. Bricks used in the kiln were repurposed.
New MND program
Bluffton is now offering a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics graduate degree for students interested in becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Complete requirements for the RDN exam in 12 months.
Show up every day
Early circumstances did not deter future successes for Sharetta Smith, the mayor of Lima, Ohio. Smith spoke on her "Journey to Leadership" at the Presidential Leadership Forum.
Legacy coach retires
Men's Basketball Coach Guy Neal will retire at the end of his 34th season. The three-time conference Coach of the Year is the winningest coach in Bluffton men's basketball history.
Why me?
During the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Forum, retired police sergeant Clayton Moore addressed a question people often ask themselves in times of trial.
Those other duties
When Estée (Arend '13) Hemphill reflects on her rise through the Cleveland Guardians's front office, she places importance on words often overlooked in a job description: other duties as assigned.
19th Varsity sport
Brian Williams will coach, recruit and manage the varsity co-ed Esports program starting in the 2023-24 academic year.
Anne Frank
The story revolves around the confinement of eight people in a tight living space as Jewish families in Amsterdam are forced into hiding from the Nazis during World War II.
"Let's Talk"
During Spiritual Life Week, Flack-Wetherald shared a message on forgiveness during Chapel which resonated with Deborah Yoder '23, an English major from Listowel, Ontario.
New scholarships
Two new scholarships, including the Dr. Perry Bush Scholarship funded by an anonymous donor, were approved during the Board of Trustees fall meeting.
Master's degree
Classes are offered online or through Zoom videoconferencing. Once classes and the practicum are complete, program participants are eligible to take the Ohio Assessments for Educators.
Alumni awards
Kathy (Gaines '78) Carr, Brandon Fretag '08, Ed Smoker '63, Denny Phillips '79 and Alison (Lange '05) Bentley, were recognized at Homecoming for their outstanding achievements.
Cross-cultural
Students traveled to Kentucky/Appalachia, South Texas, the Southwest Native Nations and Washington, D.C. Students on international experiences explored the Czech Republic and Guatemala while one student traveled to South Korea.
Civil rights
Dr. Todd Allen, spoke at Forum, pondered the saying “history never repeats itself, but it rhymes.”
Steady enrollment
While the number of first-year, full-time students at Bluffton is slightly down for fall 2022, the number of full-time equivalent students - undergraduate and graduate - is steady at 730.
Endowed chair
An anonymous gift of $1.5 million will fund the M'Della Moon Endowed Chair in Botany and Environmental Science. This chair will manage the Nature Preserve and teaching university classes.
Electoral College
The Electoral College was controversial at the founding of the United States and has continued to be a lightning rod. Insight into this system was provided at the Constitutional Day Forum.
MSW program offered
Classes for a Master of Social Work (MSW) graduate degree with a mental health specialization will begin in the 2023-24 academic year.
The Cuts is open
A new hair salon/barbershop is open in the Multicultural Student Development Center. Stylists from FreshNFaded in Lima will provide hair services by appointment on Sunday afternoons.
Swim coach hired
Dr. Luke Kleman has been named interim head swimming and diving coach.
U.S. News ranking
Bluffton University has once again - for the 25th consecutive year - been named to the top tier of Midwest Regional Colleges in the "U.S. News & World Report" rankings.
An educated person
During her annual State of the University address President Jane Wood called on the campus community to focus on authentic conversations of "responsible citizenship" and "service to all peoples."