Traditional Campus Events

Student activities at Bluffton University features a variety of events, including two weekly programming series: the Thursday Night Spotlight and Marbeck After Dark series. In addition to those two series, there are a number of traditional events that happen every year on campus. Find information below highlights of our traditional favorite events that we plan every year!

If you’d like more information about these events or how to get involved, contact the Office of Student Engagement at engagement@bluffton.edu.

Bluffton Olympics
Coordinated by Marbeck Center Board, Bluffton Olympics is the first big traditional event for first-year students. First Year students and their orientation groups will compete in a series of games and activities, such as a three-legged race and egg-carrying race. This event happens the weekend of fall welcome.

Bluffton Olympics

     

Homecoming
Homecoming week activities are usually held in October with an event every night in the week leading up to Homecoming Saturday. Activities are planned by a Student Homecoming Committee, advised by the office of student engagement.

Homecoming

 

Dam Jam
Dam Jam is similar to Midnight Madness at other colleges, except that at Bluffton it marks the transition from fall sports to winter sports. The event has a basketball theme as students, faculty, and staff get to show off their skills on the court to win prizes and have a good time.  Students also have a chance to compete for great prizes, such as gaming systems, televisions, or bookstore gift cards! This event is a great collaboration of Marbeck Center Board and the Bluffton University Cheerleaders. 

Dam Jam

 

Finals Breakfast
Finals week is always a stressful time on all campuses, but at Bluffton we try to make it a little less stressful with Finals Breakfast! During finals week in the fall, faculty and staff work with Marbeck Center Board in order to provide a study break featuring games, caroling, and, of course, free breakfast! Oh, did we mention that this breakfast is served at 10PM? It’s one of our favorites! 

 Finals Breakfast

 

Cabaret for a Cause
Cabaret for a cause is a semi-formal event where students, community members, and faculty/staff tome come together and show off their musical talents. Cabaret for a cause raises money for a local charity each year in March. This event is coordinated by the Office of Student Involvement with co-sponsorship by Marbeck Center Board and Student Senate! 

2022 Cabaret for a Cause

 

Lil Sibs/Riley Creek Festival/Bluffton 500
Every spring, Bluffton University holds a Little Sibs Weekend where current students can bring their younger brothers and sisters to campus for a weekend full of fun activities! The highlight of the weekend is our traditional Riley Creek Festival, which is an event designed for both students and community members to come and enjoy live entertainment, inflatables, and food. The Riley Creek Festival is also the event where the annual rubber duck race down the Little Riley Creek is staged, so it’s always sure to be a blast! It’s fun for all ages! This event is coordinated by the Office of Student Involvement in collaboration with Marbeck Activities Council, Student Senate and other groups.

Riley Creek Fest

 

Thursday night spotlight
Coordinated by the office of student engagement, each Thursday night features a different student organization putting on an event for the campus. This can include talent shows, karaoke, ice cream social and more. It is a time where students get to learn about the various groups on campus and get to interact with other students on campus. It is a great way to support the student groups on campus.

Thursday night spotlight

 

MAD
Marbeck After Dark events are sponsored by Marbeck Activities Council. Every Friday night has a different event, which are planned by students for students. Events range from black light dances, to frozen yogurt parties and Karaoke night. These events are put on to build a community across campus by bringing people together in one place!

MAD

 

Beaver Tail-Gating
Beaver Tail-Gating is one way for students to engage in fun, fellowship and the chance to meet new people while supporting our student-athletes. Held before every home football game in the Saltzman Stadium parking lot. Corn hole, food, music and more.

Beaver Tail-Gating

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