By Mary Pannabecker Steiner

When Marlena Ballinger, co-owner of The Dough Hook, began to plan Bluffton University Day at her store, she envisioned selling sugar cookies decorated in purple and white, the colors of her soon-to-be alma mater. And she knew exactly who to call for help in decorating the cookies.

Ballinger invited the students in her Bluffton Cohort-based Organizational Management (BCOMP) cohort - a group of nine adults who had spent nearly every Wednesday night during the past two years as they completed their bachelor's degrees.

Seven of the students spent Friday night decorating the cookies with 2014 and the letter "B" in anticipation of Bluffton University Day Saturday morning at The Dough Hook. To make it official, J. Denny Beaver, the university's mascot, will appear at the store at 11 a.m.

Laughing and joking as they decorated the cookies, the students explained that they quickly became friends when they began their classes in January of 2012. On their first night of class, their instructor predicted that "this will not be a quiet group."

Cohorts in Bluffton's degree completion program typically bond quickly and often remain close even after they graduate. This cohort - known as B85 - has met for dinner once a month since completing classes in December. So pulling together to help Ballinger with her cookie project was natural.

They've been through a lot in the past few years - a wedding, a baby, job changes, a move. They joke that the lone man in the cohort - Joe Middleton - has had to listen to all of their conversations. Middleton says he learned to "just let it flow."

On Sunday, they'll cheer each other on as they cross the stage to receive their diplomas, but they aren't worried about losing touch. E-mail and cell phones allow them to stay in close contact.

For now, they're looking forward to helping Marlena sell the cookies on Saturday morning, The store's signature cinnamon rolls will also have purple icing. The Dough Hook is open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

All Bluffton University faculty and staff will receive 10% off on items purchased on Saturday. It is, says Ballinger, a "thank you for helping us complete our degrees."