Bluffton University

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The Bluffton University Board of Trustees met in May for their annual spring meeting. The board completed normal board business such as budget approvals, setting tuition and approving restricted donations. Trustees also took several actions including changing the board bylaws, promoting faculty and recognizing returning and retiring board members.

Mitch Kingsley, who is retiring from his role on the board, was recognized for 12 years of service as a trustee. Kingsley served on the Enrollment Management/Student Life Committee for two years, the Fiscal Affairs Committee for five years and the Board Development Committee for four years. Most recently, he served on the Resource Strategy Committee. A 1971 Bluffton graduate, Kingsley has practiced law in Bluffton since 1993 and is a past and current member of Bluffton Village Council. Kingsley and his wife, Ann, have three adult children.

“As a local trustee, Mitch has enriched discussion with his knowledge of history and context. He has also asked deep and thoughtful questions,” said President Jane Wood. “In his various roles, Mitch has provided sound counsel to the university’s decision making.”

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Bluffton University was recently awarded $25,000 in grant funding from Cenovus Energy for invasive species removal at the Bluffton University Nature Preserve,10625 Augsburger Rd.

Dr. Ben Dolan, associate professor of biology and director of natural areas & plant collection at the University of Findlay, will serve as the project lead. The project aims to protect and conserve natural habitat in northwest Ohio as well as the local watershed.

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The achievements of Bluffton University’s class of 2023 were celebrated in Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 6.

More than 200 students took part in the university’s 123rd graduation cermonies including traditional undergraduate students, degree-completion graduates, and business and education graduate students. 

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This event is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 1-5 p.m. on Saturday-Sunday.

The Bluffton University art department will present the 55th Juried Student Exhibition through May 6 in the Grace Albrecht Gallery of Sauder Visual Arts Center.

The exhibition showcases work created this academic year by students in university art classes or supervised independent studies.

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Bluffton University’s music groups will come together for a spring concert featuring fun and familiar tunes at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 23 in Yoder Recital Hall.

Dr. Roy Couch, music department chair, notes that “University Chorale, Camerata Singers, Concert Band and Brass Ensemble will all perform a varied program of classical music, arrangements and some pieces that are just for fun.

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During Bluffton University’s annual Keeney Peace Lecture, Rev. Valerie Bridgman shared, “What is Peace When You Feel Like Fighting: Reflections of a Womanist Biblical Scholar.”

During the April 4 presentation, Bridgman looked back on her 50 years of experience as a peace activist. Ordained in 1977, she is the dean and vice president of academic affairs at Methodist Theological School in Ohio (MTSO) where she also serves as an associate professor of homiletics and Hebrew Bible.

At the onset of the presentation, Bridgman explained, “I am living the history I am thinking about.”

She shared several stories from her life including the integration of schools during her childhood, leading MTSO during a difficult transition at the seminary, and interacting with young gang members in Austin and Memphis.

Focusing on her experiences in Texas, Bridgman shared about an invitation to join the gang task force for the county, but she quickly realized the task force was more interested in policing young people rather than helping young people. Instead, she got to know about their lives—their names, their families, their struggles.

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