Founding Families

Creating the Bluffton College Foundation would not be possible without the generous support of Founding Families. Contributing collectively $5 million to the foundation, these donors will be recognized as Founding Families for the life of the foundation.

• Dr. Stanley ’63 and Joenita (Shetler ’63) Clemens
  • Stan, now faculty emeritus, served many roles at Bluffton over his 23-year tenure, including mathematics professor and department chair, vice president of advancement and finally special assistant to the president for campaign planning until he retired in 2007. During his time as vice president, Bluffton saw the successful fundraising projects of Second Century Campaign, the Students First Campaign and Extending our Reach Campaign. Stan and Jo reside in Bluffton, Ohio.
• Edward '69 and Karen (Esmonde ’68) Diller
  • Ed was a board of trustee member from 1979 to 2001 and served as Board Chair for 10 years starting in 1991. Under Ed’s leadership, Bluffton experienced significant growth in student enrollment, endowment and program development. Facilities completed during his tenure include Sauder Visual Arts Center, Salzman Stadium, Ramseyer Hall, Yoder Recital Hall and Centennial Hall. Ed will serve as Bluffton College Foundation’s first chair. Ed and Karen reside in Fort Thomas, Ky.
• James Sommer ’68 and Kay (Motter ’69) Ahten Sommer
  • Jim served as a board of trustee member from 2001-21. A tireless promoter of Bluffton University, Jim served as a volunteer on the Extending our Reach Campaign which exceeded the $32 million fundraising goal. His family’s stewardship and generosity led to the naming of the Sommer Center. Jim and Kay reside in Tremont, Ill.
• Greg ’77 and Donna (Thompson ’78) Wannemacher
  • Greg has been a board of trustee member since 2009 and is currently serving as vice-chair. He and Donna were leaders in the Simply Innovate Campaign, the $26 million campaign that funded the Austin E. Knowlton Science Center among other campus development projects. Greg also spearheaded the Alumni Field Campaign where more than $750,000 was raised to renovate and install artificial turf for football and soccer, and upgrades to the track and field event areas. Greg and Donna reside in Lima, Ohio.
• Kent ’78 and Gaye (Sprunger ’78) Yoder
  • Kent, a board of trustee member from 2006-22, served as board chair from 2015-21. Kent provided thoughtful counsel, sound judgement and exemplary leadership that helped shape and strengthen the educational mission of the university. As board chair, he helped steer the university through a presidential transition and the changing landscape of higher education. Kent and Gayle reside in Middlebury, Ind.