Campus News - Bluffton University

Bluffton University news

Biblical study notes developed by Dr. Gerald Mast's Religious Communication class will be submitted for publication.

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.

Bluffton Bread Company student advisory board members.

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.

Students are prepared to successfully enter the workforce or pursue graduate nursing education after completion of their BSN.

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.

A clinical educator schedules all supervised experiential learning experiences, including at the Blanchard Valley Hospital.

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.

Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith gave three pieces of advice: no one is successful on their own, be a person of character and keep showing up.

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.

A celebration of Coach Guy Neal's accomplishments will be held following the men's basketball game on Feb. 4.

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.

Clayton Moore described his experiences as the first black police officer in Fostoria, Ohio, and his fight against racial discrimination within the department.

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.

Estée (Arend ’13) Hemphill, assistant director of service for the Cleveland Guardians, shared lessons from her career at Forum.

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.

A 2022 graduate of Miami University (Ohio) in interactive media studies, Brian Williams founded R6 and helped grow the Rainbow Six: Siege Esports community.

19th Varsity sport

Brian Williams will coach, recruit and manage the varsity co-ed Esports program starting in the 2023-24 academic year.

The play also features rich characters, complex family dynamics and range of human emotions.

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.

“What we’re doing right now is improv, and we still have the option of engaging the scene differently and building a future we don’t have to be scared of.”

"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.

“This program is designed for working teachers who are ready to transition out of a traditional classroom to working with students who need additional resources,” said Dr. Amy Mullins.

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.

2022 Alumni Award recipients Kathy (Gaines ’78) Carr and Brandon Fretag ’08; and Athletics Hall of Fame inductees Ed Smoker ’63, Denny Phillips ’79 and Alison (Lange ’05) Bentley

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.

Experiences in summer 2023 will allow students to learn more about Civil Rights history or the Holocaust during bus tours to sites and landmarks.

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.”

Bluffton's total enrollment remained steady for fall 2022, despite a dip in the number of first-year, full-time students.

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.

Students may complete a master’s degree in as few as 12 months if they hold a bachelor of social work degree from an accredited college.

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 at Bluffton will be open Sunday afternoons during the academic year. Make appointments with Tyson Goings.

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.

The new interim head coach says, “My unique coaching philosophy comes from my academic background as neurological physical therapist.

Swim coach hired

Dr. Luke Kleman has been named interim head swimming and diving coach.

The 2023 edition of the “Best Colleges” guidebook ranks Bluffton 36 among 76 comparable institutions in 12 Midwest states.

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.

During the State of the University address President Jane Wood called on the campus community to focus on authentic conversations of

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."

Bethny Ricks, 2006 Bluffton graduate and a member of the Bluffton Board of Trustees, presented at Opening Convocation and participated in a Q&A session with first year students.

Lessons from failure

A corporate executive for 18 years, 2006 Bluffton graduate Bethny Ricks spoke at Opening Convocation. Instead of sharing about her success, Ricks shared seven lessons "forged out of my tears."

With the addition of stadium lights, Alumni Field can be used for evening and early morning practices, soccer and possibly hosting high school playoff games.

Under the lights

Bluffton University's first football game under newly installed stadium lights is scheduled for the Beavers' home opener at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, against Adrian College.

Stadium lights have been installed at Salzman Stadium. To maintain good relationships with neighbors, new outdoor lighting and noise guidelines are set.

Stadium guidelines

Stadium lights have been installed at Salzman Stadium. The university has set new outdoor lighting and noise guidelines for the facility as its usage increases.

Claire Clay, director of public relations and enrollment operations accepted the Program of Excellence Award from Kyle Vaughn, executive director of institutional advancement at Ashland University & ICAA Summer Conference co-chair.

Award-winning program

The President's Ambassadors Program has been recognized with a 2022 Independent College Advancement Associates (ICAA) Program of Excellence Award.

Bluffton University is partnering with HomeTown Ticketing for all alumni, athletics, music and theatre events where tickets are required.

New ticket process

Bluffton is partnering with HomeTown Ticketing for all university alumni, athletics, music and theatre events where tickets are required.

Cross Country Coach Hired

Bluffton University has named Connor Gulick as head cross country coach and assistant track and field coach. Gulick returns to Bluffton following two years of collegiate coaching experience.

BoT Spring Meeting

The board continued its year-long efforts on implementing best practices for engaged boards, met with the university's new co-source fiscal partner, Cliffton, Larson, Allen (CLA) officer and learned about student-retention efforts.

Lion and Lamb Plans

Bluffton University is committed to continuing the important work of the Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center and will build on new experiential learning opportunities in fall 2022.

Alumni Discount

In recognition of the significant contributions Bluffton alumni make to the institution and in their respective communities, Bluffton University is helping graduates continue their education through the Bluffton University Alumni Master's Degree Grant.

College of Distinction

Bluffton University has been recognized for excelling in the areas of student engagement, teaching, community and successful outcomes by Colleges of Distinction.