As part of the launch of Bluffton University’s strategic plan this fall, President Jane Wood has appointed Tyson Goings to the newly created role of director of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
Goings, a 2001 Bluffton graduate, returned in 2015 as director of multicultural student development and was promoted to director of residence life in 2019. He will maintain his current role as director of residence life, with some responsibilities transitioning to other employees in Bluffton’s student life office.
The achievements of Bluffton University’s class of 2020 were celebrated Saturday, July 18, during a socially-distanced, in person Commencement at Salzman Stadium. More than 80 percent of the graduating class, and up to two guests each, were in attendance for the delayed event.
In special recognition of this year’s class, each student was given a medallion featuring the Bluffton University presidential seal to wear as they walked the stage.
Bluffton University trustees spent the majority of their June board time on campus discussing the implementation of the university’s newly developed strategic plan, taking action on return to campus plans and reviewing increased diversity and inclusion efforts ahead of the fall 2020 semester.
The board also took several actions including promoting faculty members, approving a newly endowed scholarship and welcoming a new member.
When Sarah Ricks graduated from Bluffton in 2010, her goal was to help people “and utilize my skills and education in a way that would make a contribution to my greater community.”
Today, that is exactly what she is doing, but she never imagined it would be in Southeast, Texas.
The Lima native is a project organizer for Gulf Coast Leadership Council, a non-profit that brings faith communities of all denominations together to provide resources to people in need. Over the past few years, the greatest need has been Hurricane Harvey recovery and relief.
Friendship and debate fuel 25 years of scholarly research for Bluffton’s Weaver and Mast
For a quarter century, Bluffton University professors J. Denny Weaver and Gerald Mast have been writing, researching and collaborating on projects exploring the Anabaptist peace church tradition.
As Mast recalls, the partnership was established when he came to campus for the interview process in the spring of 1995. During an informal reception after the interview, Weaver handed him an essay and requested feedback.
Bluffton University has announced the dean’s list for undergraduate students for the spring 2020 term. Students with a GPA of 3.6 or higher are eligible for the dean’s list. Area students follow:
Devon Bilimek, Bluffton
Gabe Denecker, Bluffton
Brianna Keeler, Bluffton
Therisanyo Phetlhu, Bluffton
Levi Smith, Bluffton
Leah Tabler, Bluffton
Students with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.75 based on 20 semester hours received dean’s list with distinction for continued high achievement follow:
Leslie Diaz Valdiviezo, Bluffton
