After more than 11 years of elected service, Dr. Eric Fulcomer has announced his intention to step down on Friday, March 1, as mayor of the Village of Bluffton.  Fulcomer notified the Bluffton council members of his plans and submitted a letter of resignation to Nancy Kindle, the village’s fiscal officer.

“When I announced my candidacy for Mayor more than two years ago, I could not have imagined that I would be leaving the community at this time,” said Fulcomer.

He will serve as Vice President for Enrollment Management at Rockford College in Rockford, Illinois. In that role, he will oversee undergraduate admissions, global affairs, athletics, retention, financial aid, registration and student billing.

“Rockford College is a thriving institution,” said Fulcomer. “I look forward to being a part of the growth and change that Rockford is experiencing.”
 
Fulcomer was a member of Bluffton council for 10 years and served from 2004 to 2011 as council president.

“I am proud of what we have accomplished together over the past 11 years and am confident that Bluffton will continue to thrive in the years to come,” said Fulcomer. 

“Bluffton is a dynamic and progressive community.  Just in the last calendar year, the Village replaced 12,000 feet of water line and installed 5,000 feet of sanitary sewer line. 

Its industries, businesses, and residents applied for building permits totaling $10,400,000.  Expansions and renovation projects were also prevalent with Bluffton University’s opening of the Sommer Center for Health and Fitness Education, Bluffton Hospital’s completed expansion/renovation project, and Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio’s two green houses - the first of their kind in Ohio.

In addition, a new Wendy's franchise opened and major expansions were realized for Grob, Diamond Manufacturing, and Citizens National Bank.”

“The Village of Bluffton is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family,” said Fulcomer. “I appreciate the support that the community has shown me during my time in elected office and through four election cycles.”

Fulcomer received his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University, his master’s degree from Bowling Green State University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Toledo. From 1993 to June 2012 he worked at Bluffton University in a variety of roles, the most recent as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Life. 

“When I came here in the fall of 1993 to accept an internship at Bluffton University, I did not anticipate that the Village of Bluffton would be my home for the next 20 years.  During that time, I met my wife, got married, had two children, and built a personal and professional life,” said Fulcomer.  “I will miss the people that I have met, many of whom are like family, and the sense of community pride that I have experienced in Bluffton.”

In addition to his service on Bluffton council, Fulcomer is a member of the Bluffton Lion’s Club and was a charter member of the Bluffton-Pandora Rotary Club, serving as the club’s president. Fulcomer, his wife, Andrea, and their two children are members of St. John Mennonite Church near Pandora where Eric has served as a worship leader and Sunday school teacher.

Dennis Gallant, currently serving as council president, will take over as mayor on March 1.  Gallant’s move to the mayor’s position will open up a council seat that will need to be filled. The Bluffton council will announce its process to fill the open council seat and select a new council president at its first meeting in March.