Bluffton University

Bluffton University students make "homes" from cardboard boxes in which to spend the night at a Poverty Awareness Sleep Out on April 6.

Nine students slept on the Shoker Science Center lawn during the event, which was hosted by the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity as part of Civic Engagement Day at Bluffton. The day capped yearlong exploration of the university's 2010-11 civic engagement theme, "Living with Enough: Responding to Global Poverty."

The Bluffton University softball team received a pair of outstanding performances in the circle as the Beavers split a couple one-run decisions on Thursday, April 7, 2011. Bluffton moved to 13-12 on the season while Ohio Wesleyan now stands 11-7 overall.

The Bluffton University softball team will host its annual Strike-Out Cancer fundraiser for the American Cancer Society on Saturday, April 16. The Beavers will meet Ursuline College in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. at the university softball field.

Individual Bluffton players may be sponsored for any amount; checks should be payable to the American Cancer Society.

A check for the total amount raised will be presented to the cancer society before the first pitch Saturday. The event has raised an average of $1,350 per year over the last nine years.

Bluffton University junior Rachel Giovarelli, from Wauseon, placed first in the university's annual C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest on April 6.

In addition to earning a $175 cash prize, Giovarelli qualified for a bi-national contest with top finishers from other North American Mennonite colleges.

Gary Labonte has resigned as Bluffton University's head men's and women's cross country/track and field coach. This is his third season with the Beavers.

"Gary Labonte will be leaving as head cross country and track and field coach for both our men's and women's teams at the conclusion of this academic year," said Phill Talavinia, athletics director. "I wish Coach Labonte all the best. We will begin a search for a new coach in the coming weeks."

By Mallory Kemper, sports information assistant

The Bluffton University softball team fell behind 9-5 in game one, but the Beavers rallied back, scoring five runs in the sixth inning to win 10-9 against Heartland Conference rival Manchester College. The second game the Beavers scored in four of the six innings and won 9-1 for a mercy-rule victory over the Spartans. Bluffton improved to 12-11 overall and 5-3 in the HCAC, while the Spartans fell to 9-17 on the season and 1-5 in the conference.

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