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During the annual State of the University Forum, President Jane Wood announced a major gift from the estate of an alumnus, explained how the state of each student directly impacts the state of the university and shared successes from the past year.

To a round of applause, President Wood revealed a $1.8 million unrestricted gift from the estate of John and Erma Stutzman. A 1950 graduate, John Stutzman was a urologist and lifelong Bluffton supporter.

Connecting the announcement to the main theme, Wood shared the verse Luke 12:48 “To whom much is given, much is expected,” while reminding students how, just as it did for the Stutzman’s, their college education can inspire a lifetime of learning, serving and giving back. 

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Gift announced at State of the University Forum

Jane Wood, president of Bluffton University, and Robin Bowlus, vice president of advancement and enrollment management, recently accepted a $1.4 million gift from the estate of John and Erma Stutzman, which was presented by representatives from Everence Financial.

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Judge David A. Rodabaugh, Lima Municipal Court, shared “Constitutional Limits on State and Federal Governments Regarding the Rights of Private Citizens,” during Bluffton University’s Constitution Day Forum on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

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Bluffton University students who participated in short-term cross-cultural experiences last spring will speak during Forum at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 3, in Yoder Recital Hall. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Students will share about experiences including a Civil Rights tour of key southern sites; a tour of Holocaust sites in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic; a medical service experience in Ecuador and a service experience in Kentucky/Appalachia with Mennonite Central Committee’s SWAP (Sharing with Appalachian People) program.

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Events listed are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Also listed on the Icon's Community Calendar.

Sept. 25-Oct. 22
Art Exhibit: “A Line is a Point” by Kathleen Pahl, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., weekdays and 1-5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, Grace Albrecht Gallery, Sauder Visual Arts Center

Oct. 3
Forum: “Cross-Cultural Experiences” by Bluffton University students who completed a spring 2023 experience, 11 a.m., Yoder Recital Hall

Forum: “Advocating Climate Justice in the Nation’s Capital,” by Olivia Daugherty ’24, Bluffton University student, 11 a.m., Musselman Library Reading Room

Oct. 13
Colloquium: “The Influence of Environmental and Biotic Filters on Invertebrate Community Dynamics and Spatial Synchrony,” by Jacob Buchannan, M'Della Moon Endowed Chair in Botany and Environmental Science, 4 p.m., Stutzman Lecture Hall

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Dr. Jane Wood, president of Bluffton University, will present the State of the University Forum, at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26 in Yoder Recital Hall.

During the presentation, Dr. Wood will focus on the broader state of higher education today and share reflections on how colleges and universities, such as Bluffton, can face challenges in the higher education landscape. She’ll also share thoughts on the importance of collaboration and partnerships. 

The event is free and open to the public. Forum is Bluffton’s weekly gathering of students, faculty, staff and community for interdisciplinary conversation and discovery.

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