Bluffton University news
Alumni awards
Kathy (Gaines '78) Carr, Brandon Fretag '08, Ed Smoker '63, Denny Phillips '79 and Alison (Lange '05) Bentley, were recognized at Homecoming for their outstanding achievements.
Cross-cultural
Students traveled to Kentucky/Appalachia, South Texas, the Southwest Native Nations and Washington, D.C. Students on international experiences explored the Czech Republic and Guatemala while one student traveled to South Korea.
Civil rights
Dr. Todd Allen, spoke at Forum, pondered the saying “history never repeats itself, but it rhymes.”
Steady enrollment
While the number of first-year, full-time students at Bluffton is slightly down for fall 2022, the number of full-time equivalent students - undergraduate and graduate - is steady at 730.
Endowed chair
An anonymous gift of $1.5 million will fund the M'Della Moon Endowed Chair in Botany and Environmental Science. This chair will manage the Nature Preserve and teaching university classes.
Electoral College
The Electoral College was controversial at the founding of the United States and has continued to be a lightning rod. Insight into this system was provided at the Constitutional Day Forum.
MSW program offered
Classes for a Master of Social Work (MSW) graduate degree with a mental health specialization will begin in the 2023-24 academic year.
The Cuts is open
A new hair salon/barbershop is open in the Multicultural Student Development Center. Stylists from FreshNFaded in Lima will provide hair services by appointment on Sunday afternoons.
Swim coach hired
Dr. Luke Kleman has been named interim head swimming and diving coach.
U.S. News ranking
Bluffton University has once again - for the 25th consecutive year - been named to the top tier of Midwest Regional Colleges in the "U.S. News & World Report" rankings.
An educated person
During her annual State of the University address President Jane Wood called on the campus community to focus on authentic conversations of "responsible citizenship" and "service to all peoples."
Lessons from failure
A corporate executive for 18 years, 2006 Bluffton graduate Bethny Ricks spoke at Opening Convocation. Instead of sharing about her success, Ricks shared seven lessons "forged out of my tears."
Under the lights
Bluffton University's first football game under newly installed stadium lights is scheduled for the Beavers' home opener at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, against Adrian College.
Stadium guidelines
Stadium lights have been installed at Salzman Stadium. The university has set new outdoor lighting and noise guidelines for the facility as its usage increases.
Award-winning program
The President's Ambassadors Program has been recognized with a 2022 Independent College Advancement Associates (ICAA) Program of Excellence Award.
New ticket process
Bluffton is partnering with HomeTown Ticketing for all university alumni, athletics, music and theatre events where tickets are required.
Cross Country Coach Hired
Bluffton University has named Connor Gulick as head cross country coach and assistant track and field coach. Gulick returns to Bluffton following two years of collegiate coaching experience.
BoT Spring Meeting
The board continued its year-long efforts on implementing best practices for engaged boards, met with the university's new co-source fiscal partner, Cliffton, Larson, Allen (CLA) officer and learned about student-retention efforts.
Lion and Lamb Plans
Bluffton University is committed to continuing the important work of the Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center and will build on new experiential learning opportunities in fall 2022.
Alumni Discount
In recognition of the significant contributions Bluffton alumni make to the institution and in their respective communities, Bluffton University is helping graduates continue their education through the Bluffton University Alumni Master's Degree Grant.
College of Distinction
Bluffton University has been recognized for excelling in the areas of student engagement, teaching, community and successful outcomes by Colleges of Distinction.
Marpeck Deans Conference
Faculty from eight Mennonite institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada came together for the Marpeck Deans Conference hosted by Bluffton University.
Presidential Scholars
Zael Coblentz and Ella Meyer, incoming students at Bluffton University, have been awarded the university's full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, valued at nearly $140,000 for four years.
Transfer honor roll
Bluffton was recently named to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society's 2022 Transfer Honor Roll in recognition of the dynamic pathways the university has created to support transfer students.
Ready to build a life
"We believe that Bluffton graduates are prepared for life as well as vocation, for responsible citizenship, for service to all peoples and, ultimately, for the purposes of God's universal kingdom."
Faculty research
Faculty members awarded research grants and sabbaticals shared their plans during the annual Dean's Reception.
2022 Academic Awards
Outstanding scholars were recognized for their academic achievements at the 2022 Academic Awards and Honors Forum.
Peace Lecture
Existing inequalities for people with disabilities were deepened by the COVID-19 pandemic according to Dr. J. Alexander Sider. He presented the 2022 C. Henry Smith Peace Lecture.
Research symposium
Student research, pre-professional and creative endeavors, ranging from an exploration of the molecular motion of water droplets to a multimedia presentation about a fictional apocalyptic event, were presented.
Developing leaders
Champion WNBA Coach Dan Hughes pointed to his "coaching tree" as his biggest career accomplishment. Hughes spoke at the Athletics Awards Forum. Awards were presented to Jameel Cosby and Brooke Kleman.
Commencement 2022
Peter Strange, chairman emeritus of Messer, Inc., will address the 2022 graduating class during the May 7 Commencement ceremony at Salzman Stadium.
Oratorical contest
Madison Baker '22, a marketing and sport management double major, won the annual C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest. Her speech focused on the stigma of human trafficking.
Modern Minimalism
Bluffton's year-long exploration of "Cultivating Modern Minimalism" culminated with Civic Engagement Day. More than 20 presentations were available, styled like an in-house conference.
STEM Scholarships
Bluffton has received a five year Choose Ohio First $138,600 grant by the Ohio Department of Higher Education to support students in STEM fields.
Prayer vigil
Bluffton University PEACE Club and Bluffton Area Ministerial Association will hold a joint prayer vigil Friday evening, April 1, for fallen Village of Bluffton police officer Dominic Francis.