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Bluffton University professor to discuss ‘new’ tools for student learning

Dr. Walt Paquin, professor of social work at Bluffton University, will present the Colloquium, “Developing 'New' Tools for Student Learning,” at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3 in Centennial Hall’s Stutzman Lecture Hall. 

This presentation focuses on the projects that Paquin has explored over his 2021-22 sabbatical. Paquin has significantly revised the ‘Learning in Community’ course to increase student engagement in the Lima community. He also discovered ways to enhance student engagement and “learning activities” throughout the Social Work curriculum at Bluffton University.

J. Denny and Jenny will be revealed January 28

On January 28, between the men’s and women’s basketball games against Transylvania University, Bluffton University will reveal which students are in the J. Denny and Jenny Beaver suits. The men’s game starts at 2:00 p.m. in the Sommer Center, and the reveal is expected to take place at approximately 3:15 p.m.

Lima mayor shares lessons of leadership during Bluffton forum

During Bluffton University’s Jan. 24 Presidential Leadership Forum, “Journey to Leadership,” Sharetta Smith spoke about the challenges as well as the successes on her path to becoming Lima’s first African American mayor and first female mayor in its nearly 200-year history.

Her journey included hardships such as being raised by essentially a single mother while her father was incarcerated, raising three children as a young, single parent, and surviving cancer in her late 20s.

Coach Guy Neal announces retirement at end of 34th Beaver season

Head Men's Basketball Coach Guy Neal will retire from Bluffton University at the end of his 34th season. The athletic department will host a public recognition for Neal's accomplishments on Saturday, Feb. 4, following the men's basketball game in Sommer Center.

Neal is the winningest coach in the history of Bluffton University men's basketball with 392 wins. In the last three decades, Neal has coached the team to multiple conference tournaments in both the Association of Mideast Colleges (AMC) and the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC), which is Bluffton's current conference. In addition, Neal was named the AMC Coach of the Year in just his third season as head coach, and he has been named HCAC Coach of the Year twice. He has coached three All-Americans, two HCAC players of the year and two of his teams earned top 25 rankings.

"I want to thank my past and present colleagues in the Bluffton University athletic department who have been so supportive over the years," said Neal. "I also want to thank the many outstanding assistant coaches I have had the privilege to work with and have contributed in their own ways to the players and program. A big thank you to the long list of players who have worked so hard to develop our successful program and culture at Bluffton. Most importantly, I want to thank my wife, Diane, and children, Erin and Tyler, for their love and support for the 34 years of this journey!"

2022 Lifetime service award honors Bluffton alumnus Kathy Carr

Bluffton University awarded the Fall 2022 Lifetime Service Award to Kathy (Gaines ’78) Carr, retired educator and administrator from Fort Wayne Community Schools, Bluffton University class of 1978. Major: Elementary education.

Following her path
Over the course of her 40-plus-year career in education, Kathy (Gaines ’78) Carr estimates she touched the lives of roughly 6,000 children. However, the recipient of Bluffton’s Lifetime Service Award explains her dedication to the students, teachers and the larger community of Fort Wayne, Ind., as simply “my path to follow.”

Bluffton Presidential Leadership Forum to feature Lima mayor

Sharetta Smith, mayor of Lima, Ohio, will present the Forum “Journey to Leadership,” at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24 in Yoder Recital Hall.

During the presentation, Smith will share her personal experience of achieving her goals through determination. 

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