Bluffton University Interim President Dr. J. Alexander Sider has issued an "open letter" to "alumni, parents, donors and friends" in a video presentation provided HERE on YouTube addressing recent developments that ended the proposed merger of Bluffton University and Findlay University. He speaks of collaboration with this constituency and provides a link to www.bluffton.edu/questions
Bluffton University has named the students who will serve as President’s Ambassadors during the 2025-26 academic year (listed below). Selected students assist in recruiting prospective students, welcoming and greeting campus guests, and engaging alumni and donors.
President’s Ambassadors receive extensive training in networking, professional development, etiquette, conversational skills and interviewing.
First implemented on campus during the 2021-22 academic year, the program won a 2022 Independent College Advancement Associates (ICAA) Program of Excellence Award.
By Casey Heilman Allen SWCD District Administrator
Since 1982 the Allen Soil and Water Conservation District has been offering pond and lake owners the opportunity to stock their water conveniently and cheaply.
Stocking your pond is a great way to ensure a healthy food chain between plants, fish and other life. A healthy pond requires healthy fish to help keep a more balanced ecosystem. Not only do these fish help keep the pesky insect population down, but by eating the excess nutrients that aquatic plants give off, they are also working to keep water clear and balanced. READ MORE
Youth in Bluffton have formed a Leo Club with the sponsorship of the Bluffton Lions Club, joining some 7,700 Leo chapters across the world. Creating “Leadership, Experience, Opportunity” is the goal of these Lion-affiliated clubs.
On Tuesday, March 4, the Leo Club was formally established with a charter night that included induction of 31 members and installation of these officers:
BLUFFTON HIGH SCHOOL LEO CLUB
Charter Officers
President Ava Smallcombe
Vice President Keith Burkholder
Secretary Claire Phillips
Treasurer Lillian Dagani
Directors Nora Matthews, Macy Schaadt, Avery Ulrey
By Lindsey Buddelmeyer, Leadership Education & Training Specialist
Falls are a common cause of injury, particularly for seniors. As we discussed in a previous column, the two primary reasons for falls are a decrease in strength and balance; and environmental factors. We previously focused on preventing falls outside your home. In this column, we will focus on preventing falls inside your home.
As we age, our balance, strength, and visual acuity naturally decline. According to the National Institute on Aging, common visual changes for older adults include struggling to see up close, difficulty with distinguishing colors, and needing additional time to adjust to changing levels of light. Certain conditions also contribute to a higher likelihood of falling. Let’s examine the inside of your home, determine if there are any unsafe spaces, and find strategies or modifications to make your home safer. READ MORE
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine made the following appointments on March 7:
Allen W. Behnke of Lima (Allen Co.) has been reappointed to the State Emergency Response Commission for a term beginning March 7, 2025, and ending January 13, 2027.
Kathryn Wolfe Farmer of Bluffton (Allen Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee for a term beginning March 7, 2025, and ending February 6, 2027.
