Bluffton University alumni and friends are serious about investing in students and the future of their university. At its spring meeting on April 9 and 10, the board of trustees approved five new endowed scholarships totaling more than $600,000.

"It was a privilege to present these five endowed scholarships to the Board of Trustees," said Dr. Hans Houshower, vice president for advancement. "These gifts demonstrate the wonderful commitment of alumni and friends to support Bluffton's mission, programs and students through gifts in life and with estate commitments. The university is very grateful for these
significant investments in the present and future of Bluffton."

The five endowed scholarships include:

Naomi E. Lehman Faculty Endowment, to provide support for faculty research and scholarships across the disciplines. Naomi and her husband Leslie were longtime supporters of Bluffton.

Jeanette E. Wright Anderson Scholarship. A Bluffton alumna of 1937, Wright Anderson was a teacher. The scholarship will assist undergraduate students.

Virginia Fisher White and Walter L. White Scholarship. The Whites lived in Lima, Ohio, and Virginia was a 1941 graduate who taught art for 40 years. Their scholarship will assist undergraduate students.

James and Freida Basinger Scholarship. James, an aeronautics engineer, and Frieda, of Bisbee, Ariz., were members of the class of 1938, and their scholarship will assist undergraduate students.

Janice and Dennis Bishop Scholarship. Janice and Dennis, a 1963 graduate, have established a scholarship that will provide support for students preparing for ministry or church vocations.

The board also recognized three retiring board members for their years of service.

Dick Cripe, from Syracuse, Ind., for 24 years of service as a member-at-large. During his tenure, Cripe served on the fiscal affairs committee.

Jerry Lewis, from Bluffton, Ohio, for 12 years of service as a member-at-large. Lewis served as a member of the enrollment management/student life committee.

Roberta Mohr, from Wadsworth, Ohio, for 12 years of service as a representative from the Central District Conference of Mennonite Church USA. During her tenure, Mohr served on the strategic planning/board development committee.

In addition, the board gave special recognition to Willis Sommer, vice president for fiscal affairs, who will retire in August after 31 years of service to Bluffton.

"These four individuals, who have served and helped chart the course for Bluffton for many years, are examples of the breadth and depth of support for Bluffton University," said Bluffton's president, Dr. James M. Harder. "Bluffton is a better place today because of their energy, their insights and their contributions."

The remainder of the board's agenda was spent on updates from board committees, including the approval of an operations budget, election of new officers and faculty tenure and promotion appointments.

Trustees reviewed a number of financial and endowment reports, comparative economic data and a 2009-10 operations budget update. They approved the 2010-11 capital budget of almost $1.5 million.

The board also approved the 2010-11 slate of board officers: Morris Stutzman, class of 1972, from Wooster, as chairperson; Mark Weidner, Lancaster, Pa., as vice chairperson; LaVonne Hartman, from Elida, as secretary; and John Liechty, class of 1976, from Goshen, Ind., as treasurer.

Four faculty members received tenure and/or promotions: Dr. Trevor Bechtel, Ann Arbor, Mich., assistant professor of religion, was granted tenure; Dr. Laura Brenneman, from Bluffton, was granted tenure and promoted to associate professor of religion; Dr. Sarah Cecire, from Findlay, was granted tenure and promoted to professor of education; and The Rev. Dr. Randy Keeler, from Bluffton, was promoted to associate professor of religion.