Bluffton University news
New concentrations
New business administration concentrations are available in two growing and in-demand fields; project management and supply chain management.
Profit into peace
Olivia Tennefoss '21 won the annual C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest with a speech celebrating the way small-town entrepreneurship builds peace and well-being.
2021 Commencement
"It's not your responsibility to solve all of the world's problems, but neither can you ignore them," challenged 2021 Commencement speaker Lawrence E. Milan '73.
Degree completion
Bluffton's nationally accredited social work major is now available through a degree-completion program designed for working adults. Classes will begin Aug. 4, 2021.
Academic excellence
Bluffton University recognized many of its top students for their academic achievements at the 2021 Academic Awards and Honors Forum.
Athletic awards
Bluffton recognized Patrick Spillman and Abigail Newkirk, standout senior athletes in men's and women's soccer, as the 2021 athletes of the year.
Reading endorsement
Teachers seeking to advance their careers can fast-track their plans by enrolling in Bluffton's summer reading endorsement program.
Ambassador program
Bluffton will launch the President's Ambassador Program in the fall. Select students will assist recruit prospective students, welcome campus guests, and engage alumni and donors.
Vaccination clinic
Bluffton University will partner with Bluffton Hospital to offer on-campus vaccination clinics for current students on April 9 and 12.
"Good Trouble"
Dr. Drew Hart led conversations exploring the need for "Getting Into Good Trouble" during Spring Spiritual Life Week.
Keeney Peace Lecture
Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan Jr. called on individuals to "courageously use their resources, platforms and privilege to disrupt and dismantle policies that discriminate and decimate."
Head coach named
Ben Rath will serve as Bluffton's first head men's and women's swimming and diving coach, an intercollegiate program to start in the 2021-22 academic year.
Commencement 2021
Health care executive, Lawrence E. Milan, a 1973 Bluffton graduate, will address the 2021 graduating class during the May 8 Commencement ceremony at Salzman Stadium.
Certified coach
Dr. LaShonda Gurley, Director of the Center for Career and Vocation at Bluffton University, has been named a Design Your Life certified coach.
EQ training
Dr. George Lehman, professor emeritus of business, will provide training on emotional intelligence (EQ) in the workplace, beginning with a free virtual session through the Lima-Allen County Chamber of Commerce.
Transfer-friendly
Bluffton was named to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society's 2021 Transfer Honor Roll in recognition of the dynamic ways the university supports transfer students.
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.
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."