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Thomas E. “Tucker” Lott, a consultant, storyteller, investor and mentor from Kansas City, Mo., will be the featured speaker at 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29 in Yoder Recital Hall as Bluffton University welcomes the class of 2027 during its Opening Convocation.

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To support biodiversity at the Bluffton University Nature Preserve, invasive shrubs including bush honeysuckle, autumn olive and privet, are being removed using a combination of cutting and herbicide application. The work is an ongoing effort, but the first phase includes removing invasive plants along Augsburger Road near the entrance of the preserve.

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Bluffton University was recently named to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s 2023 Transfer Honor Roll in recognition of the dynamic pathways the university has created to support community college transfer students.

Bluffton is one of the 208 colleges and universities selected for the honor. Colleges were named based on PTK’s “Transfer Friendliness” rating.

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Bluffton University has been recognized by Colleges of Distinction for its commitment to providing a high-quality undergraduate education that focuses on hands-on learning, strong student-teacher relationships, a vibrant campus life and successful outcomes.

The guide for college-bound students named Bluffton a 2023-24 College of Distinction, Ohio College of Distinction and Christian College of Distinction. Bluffton’s business and education departments have also been recognized as leading programs.

Bluffton was chosen because of its demonstrated excellence in undergraduate education in such factors as student engagement, teaching excellence, outcomes-based learning, and community involvement. This evaluation process differs from college rankings publications.

“We don’t rank our schools,” said Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer at Colleges of Distinction. “Every student has individual needs and flourishes in a specific environment. We prefer to focus on the innovative ways that colleges all around the country are providing an enriching undergraduate experience.”

Bluffton has been recognized as a College of Distinction since the 2019-20 academic year.

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Jeff Gundy, emeritus professor of English at Bluffton University, has held many roles during his writing career: published author, professor, Ohio Poet of the Year and distinguished poet in residence, to name a few. Now, thanks to a grant from an anonymous donor awarded through the Seattle Foundation, Gundy is adding the title “writer in (non) residence” to his vita.

The $93,500 grant funds the position as well as administrative costs for two years. Since the title specifically states (non) residence, research and creative work will also include exploration off campus.

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Tareq Abuhalima, a graduate assistant at Bluffton University’s The Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center, is excited about the new peace programming the center is offering for children. During the spring 2023 semester, Abuhalima along with 10 Bluffton University students developed “Teaching Peace to Children.” The sessions focus on issues such as conflict resolution and cultural understanding. 

“It’s been a successful start to the program, and we are planning to duplicate it in the fall,” said Abuhalima, who is earning his Master of Arts in Organizational Management at Bluffton. “It’s important to familiarize children with these topics. It’s a critical period of time on which they will build the rest of their lives.”

Taught mainly by education majors, the programs also provide undergraduate students additional experience in lesson planning and classroom management. 

Growing up in the Gaza City, Abuhalima is achieving a dream to continue his studies in the United States.

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