Bluffton University news
Oratorical Contest
Students selected to participate in the annual C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest will prepare an oration that applies a peace-church perspective to an issue of contemporary concern.
Kim Fischer Dedication
The Kim Fischer Press Box at Bluffton University Softball Field, to be dedicated on Saturday, April 6, honors the legacy of Kim Fischer, Bluffton's winningest female coach.
French Concert
Dr. Bo Young Kang will be conducting Bluffton University's Masterworks performance of French composer Maurice Duruflé's "Requiem" at 2:30 p.m. on April 14 in Yoder Recital Hall.
Civic Engagement '24
Dr. J. Walter Paquin, professor of social work, will present the annual Civic Engagement Forum explaining the importance of making choices that enhance emotional well-being.
Athletics Awards
Bluffton University will recognize its top student-athletes at the annual Athletics Awards Forum, featuring a presentation by author and former basketball coach Jamy Bechler.
Nature: the main event
A climate activist and Pueblo descendant, Sarah Augustine, co-founder of the Coalition for Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery, presented "So We and Our Children May Live."
Gambling Addiction
Bluffton University's Virtue-Driven Athletics program invited Patrick Chester to help student-athletes gain awareness of sports betting and pinpoint the signs of gambling addiction.
Brass Quartet Concert
Under the direction of Dr. Roy Couch, the Brass Quartet will perform a variety of pieces including "How to Train Your Dragon" and "Sweet Caroline" on April 7 in Yoder Recital Hall.
BUILD grant
Dr. Cherie Hocanson and Jordan Hamilton will discuss training education prep candidates on the five components of effective reading at the Colloquium on April 5 in Stutzman Lecture Hall.
Pots and PCs
Rosanna Barber, Mikayla Bockrath, and Matt DeRitter, will showcase their most prominent work in their senior art exhibit "POTS and PCs," April 2 through May 4.
Spiritual wellness
Spiritual Life Week focused on cultivating an awareness of peace. Lindsay Horn '19 was guest speaker for the week.
Town Hall events
Town Hall events
Historic partnership
The pursuing of a merger of Bluffton University operations with University of Findlay is announced. Pending all regulatory approvals, the merger is anticipated to be completed by fall 2025.
Pride and Prejudice
Audience members will be transported to the Regency era of England during the play and be taken by surprise by this version's comedic twist.
Exploring the Eclipse
Dr. Luke Myers, associate professor of physics, will discuss the upcoming total solar eclipse with attention to the physical, historical and cultural aspects of the phenomenon.
Great Minds Grant
The Great Minds Fellowship Grant will provide up to $10,000 in financial aid to Master of Social Work students who are pursuing careers in high-need areas.
Drug Detection
Dr. Charles Daws, professor of chemistry, will discuss projects he worked on to measure the quantity of drugs present instead of just whether they are present.
Knowlton Scholarship
Reagen O'Brien has been awarded the Austin E. Knowlton Memorial Scholarship, valued at more than $16,000 over four years.
Harmony in Crisis
Sarah Augustine, climate activist and Pueblo descendant, invites consideration of indigenous wisdom for faithful ecological solutions for the current climate crisis.
Closed for eclipse
For the safety of the research team and our campus community, Bluffton University will be closed to the public on April 8, 2024.
Spring play cast list
Tickets are available for "Pride and Prejudice" theater production at Bluffton. Abby Bush and Carter Ritchey play the lead roles in this effervescent adaptation of the Jane Austen novel.
Spiritual wellness
Ancient practices of meditation will be explored during Spiritual Life Week as ways to cultivate spirituality and bring peace. Lindsay Horn, a 2019 Bluffton graduate, will be the guest speaker.
Activismo
Phil Sugden, art professor at Bluffton, and Carole Elchert, retired communication professor at Findlay, present a documentary on the political resistance of Cuban artists.
NIL and social media
Ways to navigate two hot-button issues in college athletics—name, image, likeness (NIL) deals and social media use—were given to student-athletes.
Promoting Peace
In honor of the late C. Henry Smith, Dr. Robert Brenneman will discuss what can be learned from the peacebuilding practices of Central American Anabaptist-Mennonite congregations.
Future of Fair-Trade
Dan Alonso, CEO of Ten Thousand Villages, will share his journey of volunteer service to leadership for the organization that transforms lives around the world.
Commencement 2024
Glen Guyton, Mennonite Church USA executive director, will speak at the Commencement. As the first person of color in the role, he has 30 years of experience to share.
Winter Concert
The Winter Instrumental Concert, directed by Dr. Roy Couch will include wind band music with themes of hope, joy, Black History Month, and a tribute to Philip Glass.
English Festival
The English Festival offers students a day of writing, reading and hearing fine literature. During the event, Maurice Broaddus, will describe how Afrofuturism looks in communities imaging the future.
J Denny Weaver memoir
"This book traces the development of my development as a theologian--from a small boy from a quite conservative Mennonite Sunday school to the publication of 'The Nonviolent Atonement.'"
Senior art exhibit
Kelly Bilen, Jenía Freewalt, Adrianny Ruiz Suarez and Amanda Scott, will showcase their most prominent work in their senior art exhibit "Reflections," Feb. 19 through March 22.
New science major
Gain a broader understanding of the natural and built worlds through the new environmental science major. Students may become involved in the management of the Nature Preserve.
Who is in the suit?
Who served as J. Denny and Jenny Beaver for 2023-24?. Find out Friday, Feb. 16, between the women's and men's basketball games against Defiance College.
Alumna speaker
Amanda (Fogle '05) Sigmon, Girl Scouts of the USA council partner manager, shared tools to build a growth mindset, helping people thrive instead of spiraling in times of difficulty.
K-5 literacy event
Students in grades K-5 are invited to explore literacy centers, earn prizes and receive a free book at "Dive into Reading" at The Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center.