Academic/Pre-professional
Art Club
Advisor: Andi Baumgartner, 419-358-3446
The purpose of the club is to offer students an opportunity to engage in academic discussions and participate in activities concerning the broad range of topics pertaining to the visual arts. Art Club will support the arts by sponsoring field trips to museums, gallery openings and artist's studio visits when and where possible within the framework of a workable budget. On campus presentations of visual arts material and/or instruction will be sponsored by the Art Club under the supervision of art department faculty.
Bluffton Education Organization (BEO)
Advisor: Gayle Trollinger, 419-358-3341
| President: | Alyssa Gerten |
The purpose of the Bluffton Education Organization (BEO) is to develop in prospective educators an understanding of the education profession, to advance the interest and welfare of students preparing for a career in education and to stimulate the highest ideals of professional ethics, standards and attitudes. There are both formal and informal meetings in which students share ideas and concerns.
Members will have opportunities for service projects relating to professional growth including tutoring, various disability awareness opportunities, local and state conferences, campus education activities and other related experiences.
BEO members will have various opportunities to network with local teachers and administrators as they share at our meetings throughout the school year.
Bluffton University Business Leaders (BUBL)
Advisor: Jason Swartzlander, 419-358-3406
| President: | Eli Grieser |
| Vice president: | Dru Arrasmith |
| Marketing coordinator: | Taylor Dye |
| Secretary: | Garrett Heitkamp |
| Treasurer: | Max Pierce |
Bluffton University Business Leaders hosts events that offer guidance in resume and cover letter writing and networking. BUBL provides its members the opportunity to gain broader perspectives and insights into the business field. This is accomplished through club meetings and gatherings where planning and organization for business-related events are discussed.
Bluffton University Nutrition Association (BUNA)
Advisor: Deb Myers, 419-358-3229
| President: | Haley Gill |
| Vice President: | Madeline Kidd |
| Secretary: | Searra Hough |
| Volunteer Coordinator: | Madison Ellerbrock |
| Care Package Coordinator: | Emily Wood |
The Bluffton University Nutrition Association is composed of students interested in the profession of nutrition and dietetics and related fields. The organization is designed to provide opportunities for professional development, service learning and social activities. Bluffton University Nutrition Association is affiliated with the student member section of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Numerous leadership opportunities are available both on- and off-campus events.
Bluffton University Student Nurses Organization (BSNO)
Advisor: Sherri Winegardner, 419-358-3242
| President: | Katlin Sanning |
| Vice President: | Kelli Kretschmar |
| Secretary: | Lindsey Shaw |
| Campus/Community Coordinator: | Kelli Kretschmar |
The purpose of the Bluffton University Student Nurses Organization is to encourage interest in the study and practice of professional nursing, provide for the dissemination of professional information related to nursing and health and provide student representation in matters of professional nursing and nursing academics.
Our mission: The Bluffton University Student Nurses Organization seeks to inspire and support students with an interest in the study of professional nursing and health, to prepare students to successfully engage in leadership and professional opportunities, to disseminate professional and employment information, and to promote lifelong Christian service within the field and to the community.
The Bluffton University Student Nurses Organization aims to assist pre-professional students to develop skills which will equip them to serve their patients, co-workers, employers, community and God. This organization aims to nurture leadership, collaboration, integrity, education, service and diversity.
C. Henry Smith Scholars
Each year, a maximum of 15 new C. Henry Smith Scholars are chosen by the university's Special Studies & Honors Committee. Juniors and seniors with grade point averages of at least 3.3 may be recommended by faculty and be invited to apply for membership, a process that includes writing an essay.
Membership criteria include:
- High academic performance, including GPA, performance in independent studies and academic substance of courses taken.
- Recommendations from two faculty members (one from within the student's major and one from outside the student's major.)
- Participation in and contribution to the community at large.
More about C. Henry Smith Scholars
English Club
Advisor: Cynthia Bandish, 419-358-3442
The English Club offers students a chance to gather for camaraderie and informal discussions about all types of literature. The club also sponsors activities pertaining to a broad range of topics in English, literature and theatre including campus poetry readings, trips to theatre productions and dinners with faculty and students.
National Student Speech Language Hearing Association - Bluffton Chapter (NSSLHA)
Advisor: TBD
| President: | Joy Stechschulte |
| Vice-President: | Caitlyn Renner |
| Secretary: | Megan Sealts |
| Treasurer: | Mackenzie Martin |
| Campus Coordinators: | Jordan Arps |
| Community Coordinator: | Bryn Cisco |
The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association - Bluffton Chapter (NSSLHA) is for students interested in the study of human communication behavior. The organization seeks to prepare students to successfully engage in leadership and professional opportunities, to disseminate professional and employment information, and to promote lifelong Christian service within the field and to the community by providing opportunities for professional development, continuing education & learning, volunteering & service and social activities.
2020-21 events:
Make Your Own Communicator Mask, Virtual Better Speech and Hearing Month Activities,
Virtual Graduate School Preparation Night, Sensory Night, Hearing Awareness Night,
CTE/TBI Awareness Night, Stress Relief Night, GRE Preparation Night, ADHD Awareness
Night, SLPA Pizza Social. Check out their upcoming events on Facebook > and follow on Instagram >.
Ohio Collegiate Music Education Association (OCMEA)
Advisor: Roy Couch, 419-358-3315
| President: | Cal Johanns |
| Vice president: | Sydnee Ross |
| Secretary: | Anton Miller |
| Treasurer: | Laura Irwin |
OCMEA is an organization of students preparing to teach public school music. Bluffton is the home of OCMEA Chapter 117, which has been commended for chapter growth and/or programming for the past seven years.
OCMEA is affiliated with the Ohio Music Education Association and the Music Education National Conference. Members of OCMEA attend conventions and conferences of these state and national organizations in addition to local chapter activities.
Music Educators National Conference (MENC) is the largest arts education association in the world with over 100,000 members dedicated to the advancement of music education and to professional growth opportunities for its members. It was founded in 1907. Forty years later, the first chapters of MENC's collegiate membership were established. Currently there are more than 15,000 collegiate members.
People's Movement for the Advancement of History (PMAH)
Advisor: Perry Bush, 419-358-3278 and Martina Cucchiara, 419-358-3686
The People's Movement for the Advancement of History (PMAH) is the Bluffton history club. The purpose of the club is to deepen student excitement in the study of history. We accomplish this through a variety of means: films, field trips to historical sites and social activities on and off campus.
Science Club
Advisors: Angela Montel, 419-358-3387; Luke Myers, 419-3588-3270; and Steve Harnish, 419-358-3294
The purpose of the club is to provide organization and support for science-related interests outside of regular courses. The club is open to all students whether majoring in one of the natural sciences or not. Activities have included field trips, presentations on research and jobs in the science field, sponsoring various campus-wide contests, "make it-take it" projects and a variety of social functions. The club also provides an informal forum for further exploring current issues related to the natural sciences.
Social Work Club
Advisor: Heidi Mercer, 419-358-3209
| President: | Maggie Ream |
| Vice President: | Rachel Kroeger |
| Secretary: | Leah Bowman |
| Social Media Coordinator | Genoa Arling |
| Treasurer: | Karma Williams |
The Social Work Club is an active group looking to engage students and the community through a variety of service projects, awareness and social justice events. The group has completed a number of social justice awareness projects over social issues such as homelessness, human trafficking and domestic violence (to name a few). There have also been a number of service projects, most recently providing area hospitals with clothing for their trauma patients. The group also invites social work practitioners from the field to speak about their expertise. The group has also historically attended local/state/national conferences.
Students looking to increase their level of service to individuals, families and community (social work major or not) should join the social work club to fulfill the Bluffton's four enduring values of Discovery, Community, Respect, and Service while having fun and working with fellow students.
Student Investment Club
Advisors: John Burkhart, 419-358-3578
| President: | Justin Dorsey |
| Vice President: | Carson Curnutte |
| Secretary: | Riley Larcom |
| Treasurer: | Jacob Daulton |
The Student Investment Club is open to any Bluffton University student who is interested in learning how financial markets work. Students get hands on experience in learning about investments through the club's management of one of the university's endowment funds. Club members research, analyze and select the companies in which the club invests through the purchase of shares of common stock.
The Student Investment Club officially began on Feb. 21, 1956, when Dr. Howard Raid, then a professor of business, purchased seven shares in the newly formed Boom or Bust Investment Club. The club originally was structured similar to a mutual fund. Students purchased shares of ownership in the club.
In late 1994 club ownership was officially transferred to Bluffton University and the club renamed. Individuals who had purchased shares of ownership were contacted regarding the change in status. Individuals were given the choice of either redeeming their shares or contributing the shares to the university's endowment fund. Many former club members chose to donate their shares, and by March 31, 1995, the club's net worth was $49,900.
The club's portfolio is valued at $250,316.36 as of December 31, 2020. Students still decide which stocks to purchase. Stock selection is based on investment potential and is limited to socially responsible companies. Each year approximately five percent of the fund is used for student activities such as the senior recognition banquet. Any student with an interest in learning about financial investments is welcome to become a member.