Bluffton University news
Winter meeting
The Board of Trustees welcomed Bethny Ricks as a new at-large member, discussed current business and granted three sabbaticals for the 2021-22 academic year.
Spectators allowed
Starting Friday, Feb. 12, Bluffton will allow on-campus spectators (students, faculty and staff, who are a part of the daily campus community) for all remaining home games for indoor sports.
Corporate Partnerships
Bluffton has entered into 3-year Corporate Partner or Education Partner agreements with five companies and four school districts since fall 2020, providing tuition discounts to their employees.
New sport added
Bluffton University will add swimming and diving as an intercollegiate sport for the 2021-22 academic year. The search for a head coach is underway.
Soloists announced
Bluffton's music department has announced the soloists for its 125th performance of Handel's "Messiah," at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, via livestream.
MAcc scholarship
Jessica Lovell, a senior from Grove City, Ohio, is Bluffton University's ninth recipient of a full scholarship to Bowling Green State University's Master of Accountancy program.
"Messiah" retrospective
Instead of recording a traditional concert to be viewed online for Bluffton's 125th performance of Handel's "Messiah", the music department teamed up alumni music majors to develop a mini-documentary.
Online RN to BSN
Bluffton's RN to BSN program will go 100 percent online in January. Updated courses are designed to provide a better pathway for working RNs to complete their BSN.
Virtual pedagogy
Bluffton University is offering a graduate-level course on creating quality learning experiences for K-12 remote classrooms, Jan.11-Feb. 26, 2021.
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.
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.
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.