Dr. Jane Wood, Bluffton University president, shared a vision for the university’s future and told about graduate success during her address at Monday’s Lima Rotary Club meeting at the Civic Center.

Focusing on three “momentum makers,” Dr. Wood shared areas involving academics, student engagement and athletics with the Lima audience.

“Over the next 12 to 18 months we will highlight these three areas as what we believe makes us stand out,” she said, based upon a summer planning retreat with the university cabinet.

Providing an overview of Bluffton graduates, Dr. Wood shared these statistics:

• 99% of graduates are employed or in graduate school or in long-term service within six months of graduate.

• Top five industries for recent Bluffton graduates (5-year average)
    • K-12 education
    • Community and faith-based agencies
    • Health care
    • Manufacturing
    • Higher education

• 96% of employed graduates said their Bluffton degree was important in obtaining their job.

Focusing additionally on the academic momentum makers, Dr. Wood told Rotarians about the university nutrition and dietetics programs where Bluffton is one of only two accredited private colleges in Ohio. Concerning athletes, 42 students received HCAC all-academic honors last year, and in the arena of student engagement, the university celebrates nature and the outdoors at the intersection of the village of Bluffton and campus.

She also shared that the university anticipates groundbreaking of the Knowlton Science Center next year.