Bluffton University news
Coach Kaighin named
Sean Kaighin, the new men's soccer head coach, previously coached at Marietta and served as boys youth director of coaching at the Greater Toledo Futbol Club.
College of Distinction
For the fifth year in a row Bluffton has been recognized for excellence in undergraduate education considering factors such as student engagement, teaching excellence and community involvement.
National recognition
The National Strength & Conditioning Association has again approved Bluffton's strength and conditioning program. Bluffton students are eligible to take the CSCS credentialing exam.
Celebrate success
Commencement speaker Glen Guyton, Mennonite Church USA executive director, encouraged 147 Bluffton graduates to celebrate how far they have come before stressing about the future.
Student scholars
Outstanding students were recognized for academic achievements, including those completing departmental honors projects, at the annual Academic Awards and Honors Forum.
President's Ambassadors
President's Ambassadors to serve during the 2024-25 academic year have been selected. These students will assist in recruiting prospective students, greeting campus guests, and engaging alumni and donors.
Faculty research
Faculty development of computational simulations supporting climate study, literature research and installation of a permaculture garden will be supported by research grants.
Celebrating success
"Success is a Choice" was the message given at the 2024 Athletics Award forum. Awards were presented to standout senior student-athletes and a dedicated supporter of Bluffton athletics.
Play in MLB stadium
Bluffton University baseball will travel north, all the way to Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers, to take on the Alma College Scots on Wednesday, April 24.
Speaking peace
Jenna Juarez advocated for including meaningful daily activities for elders in her winning speech during the C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest.
Spring Fling Concert
Bluffton University's music groups will come together for a spring concert featuring fun and familiar tunes at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 21, in Yoder Recital Hall.
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.