New students to be welcomed into the academic community at Bluffton University

Dr. Sarah Fedirka, associate professor of English and chair of English, philosophy and religious studies at University of Findlay, will be the featured speaker at 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 20, in Yoder Recital Hall as Bluffton University welcomes the class of 2028 during its Opening Convocation.

Fedirka will share “Becoming Rooted” and consider how we become rooted in community, history and ourselves. Fedirka will explore the mystery by which in letting go, we become more grounded.   

Fedirka received her graduate degrees from Arizona State University where she studied Anglo-American literary modernism. Fedirka has been at UF for 13 years and teaches a variety of courses, some of her favorites being American literature survey courses. Believing in the interconnectedness of all things, Fedirka deeply appreciates how words make meaning.  

During Opening Convocation, faculty wearing academic regalia will welcome first-year and transfer students. The name of each new student will be called with professors presenting honor covenants signed by each student signifying their commitment to Bluffton’s honor code.

“Beginning every academic year with Convocation presents a fantastic opportunity to welcome new students into our educational community to begin their diverse journeys of learning and belonging at Bluffton,” said Dr. J. Alexander Sider, interim vice president of academic affairs.