Bluffton University news
Future of Fair-Trade
Dan Alonso, CEO of Ten Thousand Villages, will share his journey of volunteer service to leadership for the organization that transforms lives around the world.
Commencement 2024
Glen Guyton, Mennonite Church USA executive director, will speak at the Commencement. As the first person of color in the role, he has 30 years of experience to share.
Winter Concert
The Winter Instrumental Concert, directed by Dr. Roy Couch will include wind band music with themes of hope, joy, Black History Month, and a tribute to Philip Glass.
English Festival
The English Festival offers students a day of writing, reading and hearing fine literature. During the event, Maurice Broaddus, will describe how Afrofuturism looks in communities imaging the future.
J Denny Weaver memoir
"This book traces the development of my development as a theologian--from a small boy from a quite conservative Mennonite Sunday school to the publication of 'The Nonviolent Atonement.'"
Senior art exhibit
Kelly Bilen, Jenía Freewalt, Adrianny Ruiz Suarez and Amanda Scott, will showcase their most prominent work in their senior art exhibit "Reflections," Feb. 19 through March 22.
New science major
Gain a broader understanding of the natural and built worlds through the new environmental science major. Students may become involved in the management of the Nature Preserve.
Who is in the suit?
Who served as J. Denny and Jenny Beaver for 2023-24?. Find out Friday, Feb. 16, between the women's and men's basketball games against Defiance College.
Alumna speaker
Amanda (Fogle '05) Sigmon, Girl Scouts of the USA council partner manager, shared tools to build a growth mindset, helping people thrive instead of spiraling in times of difficulty.
K-5 literacy event
Students in grades K-5 are invited to explore literacy centers, earn prizes and receive a free book at "Dive into Reading" at The Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center.
Scholarship winner
Adeline Thorn, a senior at Smithville High School, has been awarded the university's full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, valued at more than $144,000 over four years.
Digital Development
Roy Couch will discuss how the development of digital software affects the creative process during his Colloquium, "The Possibilities of the Digital Sound Palette in Music Creation."
Recovery Process
Jesse W. Jackson III, the school improvement coach and author, will help students build resiliency while adapting to and recovering from trauma during this presentation.
Mental health grant
On-campus student mental health services will be available thanks for a grant from the Ohio Department of Higher Education's Mental Health Support Funding Program.
Stand firm in chaos
"Embrace failure" was just one piece of advice given by business executive and Bluffton alumna Bethny Ricks during the annual Presidential Leadership Forum.
Theological Memoir
In his book release "New Moves: A Theological Odyssey," J. Denny Weaver, shares how his career as a theologian shaped his nonviolent understanding of Jesus' atonement.
Growth Mindsets
Amanda Sigmon '05 will present the Forum, "Grow Through the GRIT- Developing Your Growth Mindset," offering a healthy path to addressing organizational changes.
AI and Creative Writing
Tobias Buckell, instructor of English, will share, "Can Artificial Intelligence Write Decent Creative Fiction?" during the spring 2024 Colloquium series.
56th Student art show
The best works of art created during Bluffton University classes or supervised independent studies will be displayed during the 56th Annual Juried Student Exhibition.
Choose your attitude
Pastor Steve Terry pressed the importance of a positive attitude and leading a life of impact during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Forum.
Historical context
100 years of Middle East conflict between will be explored by Dr. Martina Cucchiara in a special evening Forum. The goal is an informed engagement with the current conflict.
Leadership Forum
Bethny Ricks, a business executive, author, speaker and Bluffton alumnae, will present the Forum, "See Your Way Clear: Leading Through Chaos."
MLK Forum
Pastor Steve Terry, New Life Church of God, Fort Wayne, Ind., will present, "The Impact of a Positive Attitude" for the MLK Jr Day Forum.
Alumni email
"Email for life" will no longer be provided to Bluffton alumni due to increasing cyber security concerns. Alumni accounts will expire March 21, 2024.
Masterworks rehearsals
"Requiem" by French composer Maurice Durufle will be performed for the Masterworks Concert in April. Vocalists, high school age and older, are invited to attend rehearsals beginning, Jan. 16.
Engineering pathway
Students interested in studying engineering may take foundational courses at Bluffton and transition to Wright State University's Electrical Engineering program.
Grassland restoration
A two-year, $100,000 Protect the Planet Grant from Cenovus Energy will fund the continuing invasive-species removal and native-plant restoration at the Nature Preserve.
Engineering partnership
Earn dual degrees focused on engineering from both Bluffton and Ohio State University. Students may access resources from both universities with this new partnership.
Brave conversations
Andrea Flack-Wetherald, social worker, author, comedian and 2010 Bluffton graduate, shared tips for holding difficult conversations and explained how these conversations can lead to wellness.
'Messiah' soloists
Val Sibila, Kira McGirr, Frederick A. Peterbark and Max Pivik will be soloists for the 2024 performance of Handel's "Messiah" on Sunday, Dec. 10. Free tickets are required.
Messiah
Bluffton University will present its 129th performance of Handel's "Messiah" at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10, in Yoder Recital Hall.
Novel release
An author event celebrating the release of Tobias S. Buckell's novel, "A Stranger in the Citadel," will be held at 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 30 in the Reading Room of Musselman Library.
Grant funding
Bluffton received $130,000 in Great Minds Fellowship Grant funding as part of a statewide effort to encourage more students to pursue behavioral health-related professions.
Alumni honored
Athletics Hall of Fame and Alumni Awards were presented to Greg Wannemacher '77, Dr. Ruth Abaya '05, Rich Bindernagel '79 and Dr. Michael Anthony '07.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees met in October for their annual fall meeting. During the meeting, President Jane Wood provided an update on the strategic plan and shared new initiatives.