2018-19 University news


Nearly 3,000 faculty, family members and friends filled Sommer Center to witness the conferring of diplomas by President Jane M. Wood.

Commencement 2019

Faculty, family members and friends filled Sommer Center to witness Bluffton's 119th commencement ceremony. State Representative Riordan McClain '06 returned to campus to present the commencement address.


Faculty research

Faculty research

Bluffton University faculty members who have been awarded grants, sabbaticals and other scholarly endeavors were recognized at the 2019 Dean's Reception.


Five seniors received departmental honors for independent study projects.

Academic awards

Bluffton University recognized many of its top students for their academic achievements at the annual Academic Awards and Honors Forum.


Prothro forum

In an era when divisiveness and negative rhetoric seems to be admired, Marathana Prothro, assistant professor of communication at Bluffton University, is instead encouraging understanding.


Outstanding senior male and female athlete of 2019

Outstanding athletes

Isaac Zickafoose, football, and Erin Weisgarber, volleyball, were named Bluffton's outstanding senior male and female athlete of 2019.


Academic awards

Academic awards

Bluffton University will host its annual Academic Awards Forum at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 23, in Yoder Recital Hall. The event is free and open to the public.


Oratorical contest winner

Oratorical contest winner

Hannah Conklin '19, a convergent media major and journalism minor from Westerville, Ohio, was named the winner of Bluffton University's annual C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest held April 3.


Alumni forum

Nowlin, a 1991 graduate, presented the Alumni Forum "The Light Still Shines Bright Off the Field: Success in Leadership and Life" to a packed Stuzman Lecture Hall.


Keeney Peace Lecture

During Bluffton University's annual Keeney Peace Lecture, John Sharp shared "Changing the World One Life at a Time: The MJ Sharp Story."


Bluffton's MBA classes 'meet' via Zoom technology for convenience and to eliminate travel time.

Accelerated MBA

To prepare professionals to excel in today's high-demand workforce, Bluffton is now offering an accelerated 12-month Leadership Master of Business Administration, in addition to its 24-month program.


Future educators tried out some of the lessons following Project Wild training

Project Wild

Sixteen future teachers recently took part in a unique training for hands-on science education, including a hands-on field investigation of plants and wildlife outside the new Moyer Nature Center.


Archivist Carrie Phillips curated the

Of Bronze and Bravery

Through artwork, letters and scrapbooks, Archivist Carrie Phillips is sharing Bluffton's unique history during and after World War I. The exhibit "Of Bronze and Bravery" is on display in Musselman Library.


Melissa Friesen led a discussion of race and education issues using community-based theatre techniques.

Theatre for social justice

Melissa Friesen presented a piece of theatre during Friday Colloquium, inviting attendees to participate as actors and provide feedback. The intent of community-based theatre is to engage and spark change.


Alternative Pathway to Licensure

Bluffton is one of five universities in Ohio to provide coursework for an alternative pathway to teaching for professionals who later felt the call to the classroom.


Bluffton University Trustees met on campus for the regularly scheduled winter meeting.

Trustees meeting

At their winter meeting, the Board of Trustees welcomed a new member; approved new housing options, scholarships and sabbaticals; and granted emeritus status to two retiring faculty members.


“‘We’re all a little crazy’ means that five of five of us deal with challenges. Mental health is about the spectrum that we all live across.

We're All A Little Crazy

"We approach mental health in a way that's like, 'What are the challenges that we all face that ultimately affect our mental health?' which makes it a topic for everyone.'"


The Voices of Consience exhibit was developed and produced at the Kauffman Museum in North Newton, Kan., and will be displayed in Bluffton's Musselman Library.

Voices of Conscience

Bluffton will host the traveling exhibit "Voices of Conscience," Feb. 17 through March 31. This dramatic exhibit remembers the witness of peace-minded people against the First World War.


Nate Fields '71 came to Bluffton the year Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his

Servant leadership

Nate Fields '71 came to Bluffton the year Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "Blueprint" speech. Originally having "no other purpose than to play football," he graduated with a mission to serve.


Bluffton's seventh recipient of the Beaver-Falcon MAcc Scholarship

Beaver-Falcon scholarship

Jordan Stutzman, a senior from Millersburg, Ohio, is Bluffton University's seventh recipient of a full scholarship to Bowling Green State University's Master of Accountancy program.


HLC Reaccreditation

"Bluffton's successful HLC reaccreditation visit confirms not only the stable and secure foundation of the university, but strongly positions us to partner with businesses and the nonprofit community."


Dr. Lamar Nisly, vice president and dean of academic affairs

VP named

Dr. Lamar Nisly has been appointed as vice president and dean of academic affairs. Nisly has served as the interim vice president and dean of academic affairs since June 2017.


Alumna Kerry Pinion, a manager for recruiting services for Automatic Data Processing, returned to Bluffton to share some advice to students for their next step in life— joining the full-time workforce.

Kerry Pinion Forum

Alumna Kerry Pinion, a manager for recruiting services for Automatic Data Processing, returned to Bluffton to share some advice to students for their next step in life— joining the full-time workforce.


Arizona cross cultural experience

Cross Cultural Forum

Community building and appreciation for cultural beauty were a few of the recurring themes Bluffton University students shared about their May-term cross cultural experiences during the annual cross-cultural Forum.


What started as a spaghetti dinner fundraiser organized by Bluffton University nutrition and dietetics students 16 years ago has evolved into a farm-to-table feast featuring local produce and homemade fare.

Harvest Dinner

What started out as a spaghetti dinner fundraiser organized by Bluffton University nutrition and dietetics students 16 years ago has this year evolved into a farm-to-table feast featuring local produce and homemade fare.


Dr. Jane Wood announces lead corporate gift for Nutrition and Dietetics Lab

Knowlton Science Center

Sodexo has made a lead corporate contribution to sponsor the state-of-the-art Nutrition and Dietetics Lab in the new Austin E. Knowlton Science Center.


Science Building Development

The Bluffton University Board of Trustees approved the next step in project development for a new science building.


Spiritual Life Week

Using the theme “Reimagining the Church: Looking Back to Move Forward” as inspiration, Bluffton University students explored the relevance of the Church in the modern era during Spiritual Life Week.


Helen

Helen

This modern adaptation of the Greek myth about Helen of Troy tackles issues that are as common today as they were in the Iron Age.


Teachers seeking to advance their careers can fast-track their plans by enrolling in Bluffton University's summer reading endorsement program.

Reading Endorsement

Teachers seeking to advance their careers can fast-track their plans by enrolling in Bluffton University's summer reading endorsement program.


Bluffton University is an early adopter of Guardian Caps for practice among Division III schools

Safety first

Bluffton football has added a new piece of equipment to its practice lineup--Guardian Caps. The soft-shell helmet covers better absorbs the impact of collisions than a helmet alone.


Youth nutrition

Who knew fresh fruits and vegetables could be so exciting? Joshua Becasen, a dietetic intern at Bluffton University, did. After teaching a short lesson on the differences between fruits and vegetables, Becasen started a chant at Freedom Elementary.


Alumni Awards

Alumni Awards

Exceptional Bluffton University alumni will be honored this year during two events on Homecoming, Oct. 13.


Becky Boban '19, an art and writing major, was the recipient of a Summer Discovery Grant, which allowed her to attend a writing workshop and devote her summer break to the written word.

Summer Discovery Grant

Becky Boban '19, an art and writing major, was the recipient of a Summer Discovery Grant, which allowed her to attend a writing workshop and devote her summer break to the written word.


Bluffton University has once again been named to the top tier of Midwest

National recognition

Bluffton University has once again been named to the top tier of Midwest "regional colleges" by the "U.S. News & World Report" rankings released today.


New faculty/staff

New faculty/staff

A new president, two faculty members and 26 staff members or graduate assistants joined the Bluffton community this academic year.


Bluffton University is one of 147 educator preparation programs approved under the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) standards.

CAEP accreditation

Bluffton University is one of 147 educator preparation programs approved under the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) standards.


Bluffton is moving its Welcome Center. The Houshower House, a beautiful cottage with a rich campus history, now serves as the first point of contact for campus visitors.

Welcome Center

Bluffton is moving its Welcome Center. The Houshower House, a beautiful cottage with a rich campus history, now serves as the first point of contact for campus visitors.


In an era when people with opposing viewpoints often retreat when conflicts arise, author Jonas Beiler urged first-year students to instead talk, listen to others and share a meal.

Tough conversations

Author and counselor Jonas Beiler urged first-year students at Bluffton University to talk, listen to others, and share a meal.


Changes on the Board

Changes on the Board

The Board of Trustees recognized three outgoing board members, welcomed two new members and approved a newly endowed scholarship during the trustees' spring meeting in June.


Grant funds new course

Grant funds new course

A $25,000 grant will help Bluffton University implement a new, high-impact learning experience for sophomore students.


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