2019-20 University news
Keep in the know with news and feature stories from academic year 2019-20.
Music lab unveiling
Bluffton University's music department will host a reception for the opening of its Digital Music Lab at 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28.
Crowned king and queen
Seniors Tim Bender of Wellman, Iowa, and Leslie Beasley of Columbus, Ohio, were crowned Bluffton University's Homecoming king and queen at halftime of the annual Homecoming football game on Oct. 12.
Math competition host
Bluffton University's mathematics department will host its annual math competition for high school students on Saturday, Nov. 9, in Centennial Hall's Stutzman Lecture Hall.
Chorale and camerata
Bluffton University will host a fall choral concert featuring University Chorale and Camerata Singers at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27 in Yoder Recital Hall.
Phonics education
Dr. Amy Mullins, associate professor and director of graduate programs in education, will present the Colloquium "Crack the Code: Phonics Resources for Mature Students," at 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25 in Centennial Hall's Stutzman Lecture Hall.
Cast list announced
Bluffton University will present "Arsenic and Old Lace" by Joseph Kesselring for the fall play from Oct. 31-Nov. 3 in College Hall's Ramseyer Auditorium.
Anthrotopographies
Bluffton University's Grace Albrecht Gallery will host the art exhibit "Anthrotopographies" by John Sabraw. Opening Oct. 28, the exhibit is free and open to the public through Dec. 12.
Social work alumni forum
A panel of Bluffton University social work alumni will share "In the Field: Helping Others Live Their Best Lives Through Social Work" during Forum at 11 a.m. on Oct. 29.
Film and discussion
"How could one woman steal $53 million without anyone noticing?" This question will be addressed by the documentary film "All The Queen's Horses," shown Oct. 22.
Avoiding fraud
Keith Faber, Ohio Auditor of State, will discuss the importance of checks and balances to avoid fraud, during Forum on Oct. 22.
Songs of the season
Bluffton University will host an instrumental concert at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, in Yoder Recital Hall. The performance is free and open to the public.
Forum with Obi
Bluffton senior Obi Martin, an English major from Gordonville, Pa., will present, "When Spells Weren't Cast But Written", on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 11 a.m. in Musselman Library's Reading Room.
Monarch event
Naturalist Amy Norris will update the community about the Moyer Nature Center's new designation as a monarch waystation at 1 p.m., Oct. 19, at the Bluffton University Nature Preserve.
Art from Goshen
Bluffton University will host an artist reception for Merrill Krabill, chair of the art department at Goshen College, from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Oct. 12, in the Grace Albrecht Gallery.
Exploring education
High school students are invited to learn more about Bluffton University's Educator Preparation Program, the demands and rewards of teaching, and career routes for education majors during a special event for high school juniors and seniors hosted by the Bluffton Education Organization (BEO).
Alumni Awards
Jean Szabo and Carrie (Ream '85) Woodruff will be honored by the Alumni Association at Homecoming during the President's Banquet.
Business competition
High school students are invited to compete for $6,000 in scholarships and prizes during the Bluffton University Business Competition on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
Cincinnati poet
Poet Matt Hart will give a public reading at 4 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 1, in Marbeck Center's Kreider Room at Bluffton University.
The opioid crisis
Award-winning filmmaker Conrad Weaver will share about his experiences documenting the opioid crisis during two Oct. 1 presentations on the campus of Bluffton University.
Bluffton's largest class
Bluffton University has enrolled its highest number of first-year students since 2013-14. The first-year class of 250 also has an average GPA of 3.26 and the average ACT score of 21.
Accomplishments and initiatives
President Jane Wood is looking to the future, both in the academic development of the student body at Bluffton University and in the overall health of the Northwest Ohio region.
Morality and money
Dr. Jonathan Andreas will present the Colloquium, "Morals Are a Must for Making Money and Why You Worry I'm Wrong," at 4 p.m. on Sept. 27 in Centennial Hall's Stutzman Lecture Hall.
Nature Event
Bluffton is hosting a fall nature walk for children at the Moyer Nature Center and Bluffton University Nature Preserve. The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m.- noon.
Homecoming Oct. 12
The Beavers take the field at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Salzman Stadium. Individual tickets to the Homecoming football game are $6 for adults, $5 for senior citizens over 60 and $3 for children aged 5-13. Tickets for children under 5 are free.
Bluffton moves up
Bluffton University has once again been named to the top tier of Midwest "regional colleges" in the "U.S. News & World Report" rankings released today.
Cross-Cultural
Students who participated in short-term cross-cultural experiences last spring will speak during Forum at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24, in Yoder Recital Hall. The presentation is free and open to the public.
Alumna encourages students
Kathy Dickson '03, director of vocational discernment and community engagement at Methodist Theological School of Ohio, provided Bluffton University students with tangible tips and practices for vocational discernment.
New Experiences
Bluffton University and partners across the city are connecting in new and meaningful ways. Students will explore direct connections between their academic studies and community engagement.
"Messiah" rehearsals begin
Rehearsals for the 124th performance of Handel's "Messiah" will be held 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays each week from Sept. 24-Dec. 3 in the Gilliom Room of Mosiman Hall on campus.
President to share
Dr. Jane Wood, president of Bluffton University, will present the Forum "President's Reflections and Bluffton University Initiatives in 2019-20."
Tailgating
Beginning Saturday, Sept. 14, the Bluffton fans can enjoy Beaver Tail-Gating before all home football games. Tailgating starts at 10 a.m., with the game following at 1:30 p.m.
Convocation
During a time when, as a whole, our nation's perceived well-being is declining, the importance of relationships was emphasized as a key to happiness during Opening Convocation.
Welcome new faculty and staff
Five faculty members and 20 staff members or graduate assistants are joining the Bluffton University community this academic year.
The power of plant pigments
Dr. Angela Montel, professor of biology, will present "The Power of Purple (and Red and Blue and Green and Yellow and Orange) Plant Pigments to Promote Human Health," on Sept. 6.
Summer Discovery Program
Rowena Zuercher created her own social work internship through the Summer Discovery Program which provides a $1,500 grant for Bluffton students to explore their vocation.
Ball in the House
Ball in the House will perform Sept. 19 in Yoder Recital Hall. The high energy a cappella group performs R&B, soul and pop hits that have audiences singing, dancing and beatboxing along.
Vocational discernment
Kathy Dickson '03, director of vocational discernment and community engagement at Methodist Theological School of Ohio, will speak Sept. 3 on "Discernment on Purpose--Checking in on Your Best Life."
Opening convocation
"The Power of Relationships: How Connectivity Impacts Well-Being" will be the Opening Convocation address by Dr. Beth Taylor Mack of the YMCA of the USA.
Krabill art exhibit
"A Visual Reflection on Fear and Connection" by Merrill Krabill of Goshen College, will be displayed Aug. 26 - Oct. 18 in Grace Albrecht Gallery.
Community sing
Dr. Bo Young Kang, director of choral activities, will lead an informal singing event on Wednesday, Aug. 21, in Mosiman Hall.