Bluffton University news

Professor of mathematics at Bluffton University, Dr. Steve Harnish

Intersecting Paths

Dr. Steve Harnish, professor of mathematics, will explore how four Ohioans' lives intersected with world events and science in early Bluffton College history.


Bluffton University's spring play,

Popcorn Falls

Dr. Melissa Friesen, Mary Nord and Joseph Ignat will direct, "Popcorn Falls," at 7:30 p.m. April 3-5 and at 2:30 p.m. April 6 in Ramseyer Auditorium.


Professor of English, Dr. Lamar Nisly

Civic Engagement

Dr. Lamar Nisly, professor of English, will present Bluffton's annual Civic Engagement Forum exploring how looking back we can find our way forward.


Dr. John D. Roth, project director of the Anabaptism at 500 initiative, reflected on the importance of relationships in determining our purpose in life.

The Good Life

More than personal fulfillment, Dr. John D. Roth identified the Good Life as being found in relationships, in things that truly matter.


Open house

Alumni, donors, friends, and community members are invited to visit with Bluffton University president Alex Sider and cabinet member Thursday evening, April 10, in Musselman Library.


“MCC embodies what is means to be Anabaptist,” said Mennonite Central Committee executive director Eric Kurtz.

MCC background

Mennonite Central Committee addresses issues such as racism, immigration and armed conflict and more in 45 countries worldwide. Executive director Eric Kurtz shared about MCC in Forum.


Senior art exhibit,

Senior Art Exhibit

Grace Albrecht Gallery will host the senior visual art exhibit, March 10-April 4, 2025. A reception for the artists will be held 1-3 p.m. Sunday, March 16.


Math major, Bishop T. Florence ‘25

Impacts of stats

Join Bishop T. Florence '25 for a presentation on the impact of advanced basketball stats and analytics, exploring his independent study project.


Pastor, Hamilton Mennonite Church, and director, Pandora Press, Rev. Dr. Maxwell Kennel

Spiritual life week

Rev. Dr. Maxwell Kennel will explain how the Anabaptist tradition challenges both polarization and neutrality when addressing social problems.


Anabaptism at 500 event, book celebration

Drawing Near

Bluffton University will host a book celebration with poets Dr. Jeff Gundy, Ruth Naylor, Obi Martin, Shannon McKeehan, Sheri Hostetler and others.


Director of general education, Marathana Prothro

Gaslit Generation

Marathana Prothro, director of general education, will show how social media companies work against their users by nurturing a culture of self-forgetting.


Lead Ambassadors provide training and mentoring for returning and new President's Ambassadors.

Student leaders

Select Bluffton students receive training in networking, professional development and interviewing as President's Ambassadors. Students chosen to serve as ambassadors in 2025-26 are announced.


Bluffton University spring play,

Spring cast list

Bluffton University Theatre presents Popcorn Falls, a comedic farce where a town facing bankruptcy tries to save itself by opening a theater.


Emeritus professor of history, Goshen College, and project director, Anabaptism at 500, John Roth

Historical Insights

Dr. John D. Roth, emeritus professor of history, Goshen College, and project director, Anabaptism at 500 will reflect on tradition's role in uncertain times.


Merger Stopped

Bluffton University was informed that the University of Findlay Board of Trustees voted to not proceed with the merger.


Dr. J. Alexander Sider has been appointed as Acting President of Bluffton University

Leadership change

Dr. Jane Wood has resigned from her position as president. Dr. J. Alexander Sider has been appointed as acting president, effective immediately.


Executive director, Mennonite Central Committee Great Lakes, Eric Kurtz

Faith into action

Eric Kurtz, executive director, Mennonite Central Committee Great Lakes, will explore how Anabaptists put faith into action throughout the company's history.


Director of Musselman Library at Bluffton University, Carrie Phillips

Bibles Through Time

Carrie Phillips, director of Musselman Library, will invite attendees to take a closer look at the historical context of the Bibles on exhibit.


Anabaptism at 500 event, Anabaptist Bible book celebration

Book celebration

Musselman Library's Reading Room will hold "'Anabaptist Community Bible' Book Celebration," at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 9.


Anabaptism at 500 event, Anabaptist Bible exhibit

Anabaptist Bible

Bluffton University will host "Early Anabaptist Bibles in the Musselman Library Historical Collections," from March 9-23, in Musselman Library's Reading Room.


Ed Diller previously served as a longtime member of the Bluffton University Board of Trustees.

Chairman named

Ensuring that Bluffton's history, community and unique traditions continue into the future is a goal of Ed Diller '69, chair of the newly formed Bluffton College Foundation.


To fully fund the Foundation, Bluffton is launching “Distinctively Bluffton: The Campaign for Bluffton College Foundation.” The goal is to raise $12.5 million in unrestricted dollars to build a robust endowment.

Foundation launched

Bluffton College Foundation's goal is to invest in educational excellence, infrastructure and innovative initiatives that will ensure Bluffton's legacy is maintained on the Bluffton campus.


A sampling of love stories that began on Bluffton's campus.

Love along the Riley

Shared classes, mutual extracurriculars, random meetings along the path. People meet and fall in love on campus in many ways. However, like the Riley Creek their connection to Bluffton is a constant.


Emeritus professor of history, Dr. Perry Bush

2025 Commencement

Dr. Perry Bush, emeritus professor of history, will address the 125th graduating class during the May 3 Commencement ceremony in Sommer Center.


University of Findlay's professor of media and communication, Diana Montague

UF History Forum

Dr. Diana Montague will present "Researching University of Findlay's Growth" on Feb. 25, discussing the university's development from 1983-2019.


Jacob Hoffmann plans to study pre-physical therapy and play soccer at Bluffton.

Scholarship Winner

Jacob Hoffmann, from Toledo, Ohio, won Bluffton University's full-tuition Presidential Scholarship valued at more than $150,000.


Bluffton University's Musselman Library

Fall 24' Dean's List

The Fall 2024 Dean's List recognizes students with a GPA of 3.6+ in at least half-time graded courses, with distinction for those achieving 3.75+.


Greg Mott of the University of Findlay and Dr. Paul Neufeld Weaver of Bluffton University pose with their host family during the UF study trip to Peru,

Study trip to Peru

To conclude his sabbatical, Dr. Paul Neufeld Weaver co-led a University of Findlay study trip to Peru. This is an example of collaboration and shared resources between Bluffton and Findlay.


Professors were invited to reveal the 2024-25 mascots. Dr. Joyce Jackson, education, revealed Jenny Ella Meyers; and Dr. Lamar Nisly, English, revealed J Denny Ally Zvara. Other performers for 2024-25 will continue for 2025-26.

The Big Reveal 2025

Who were in the mascot suits in 2024-25? It can now be told that Ella Meyers and Ally Zvara served as J Denny and Jenny Beaver in 2024-25.


Bluffton alumnus Dick Boehr first performed in the Messiah as a recent high school graduate.

A Boehr tradition

At Dick Boehr's 75th "Messiah" performance, his passion for the music and the community it creates continues to inspire those around him.


Bluffton University will host an Alumni and Friends tour of Bosnia, Croatia and Slovenia, June 4-17, 2026.

Bosnia Alumni Trip

Bluffton University will host an Alumni and Friends tour of Bosnia, Croatia and Slovenia, June 4-17, 2026.


Events commemorating Anabaptism at 500 throughout 2025

Anabaptism at 500

Bluffton University will host events in 2025 to mark 500 years of Anabaptism, including films, exhibits, and theater, celebrating faith, peace, and service.


Hannah Plesac '25, MND '26 completed a culinary internship at Purdue University. Hannah's dream is working in the field of sport nutrition, which will now become a reality with the new MND track at Bluffton University

New MND tracks

Specialized tracks in eating disorders and sports nutrition have been added to the Bluffton University Master of Nutrition and Dietetics.


Performances of Handel's

'Messiah' soloists

Erin Alcorn, soprano; Andrew Lipian, countertenor; Brian Skoog, tenor; and Jeremiah Sanders, baritone, will perform the solos for Bluffton's 130th and 131st performances of Handel's "Messiah."


Bluffton University’s fall play, “26 Pebbles.”

26 Pebbles

"26 Pebbles" tells the true story of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, honoring the 26 victims and exploring how the community coped with grief, hope, and healing.


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