OCT 27 MEDIA RELEASE__Bluffton University is pleased to announce that the Carlin and Sharon Carpenter Scoreboard Initiative has been fully funded through generous gifts from committed donors. This milestone marks the next step in enhancing the student-athlete and fan experience at Bluffton’s athletics facilities. 

Named in honor of longtime coach and mentor Carlin Carpenter and his wife Sharon, the scoreboard initiative celebrates the Carpenters’ decades of dedication to Bluffton students, athletics and the wider university community. The new scoreboard will serve as both a practical enhancement and a visible symbol of the enduring spirit of teamwork, leadership and integrity that the Carpenters exemplify. 

“We are deeply grateful for these generous gifts,” said Bluffton University President Alex Sider. “The generosity of our donors not only honors the lasting legacy of Carlin and Sharon Carpenter but also invests in the future of Bluffton athletics. This project reflects the deep sense of community that defines Bluffton where relationships, mentorship and shared purpose come together to shape lives.” 

The Carlin and Sharon Carpenter Scoreboard will be installed at Alumni Field in Salzman Stadium and is expected to be completed by Fall 2026. A dedication ceremony will be held at a later date to celebrate this achievement and honor the Carpenters’ continued impact on Bluffton University. 

In addition to purchasing a new scoreboard, donors have also come together to fully fund the Carlin and Sharon Carpenter Endowed Scholarship. More than $60,000 has already been donated to the scholarship, and any new gifts to this project going forward will be put towards the scholarship. 

The Carpenter Scoreboard Initiative is one of several projects within Pillars of Purpose, Bluffton University’s one-year fundraising effort focused on enhancing campus facilities and student experiences. Other priorities within Pillars of Purpose include Classroom Technology Refresh, Health and Exercise Science Revitalization and Shoker Science Center Renovation, all designed to strengthen Bluffton’s commitment to academic excellence, community, and purpose-driven leadership. 

Donors will be recognized at a dedication ceremony next fall. Those interested in supporting these ongoing initiatives can learn more or make a gift at www.bluffton.edu/give or by contacting the Office of Advancement at [email protected]