Bluffton University

Four Bluffton University faculty members are pursuing scholarly and creative projects in their respective fields this summer with the aid of Bluffton University Research Center (BURC) grants.

Dr. Perry Bush

It is not an exaggeration to say that his selection as a Fulbright scholar is a dream come true for Dr. Perry Bush.

"I've been dreaming of doing a Fulbright for 20 years," says the Bluffton University history professor, adding that he thought about it even before that as a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

Bluffton University's education department has received reaccreditation until 2017 from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

In its report, the NCATE team that visited Bluffton specifically cited the department for modeling best professional practices in teaching and service, and for its leadership and authority, facilities and resources, including technology. Those areas received the council's highest rating, called "target," meaning they exceed standards.

Allen Slabaugh

Before March 2, 2007, Allen Slabaugh was admittedly focused on baseball. But like others on the Bluffton team bus that crashed that morning in Atlanta, killing seven-including five of his teammates-he was changed by the experience.

"The accident redirected me a lot," says Slabaugh, 24, who calls it "a miracle" that he escaped with only cuts on his back and a few stitches on one knee. No longer feeling invincible, he realized "I was blessed to be able to play baseball, and for each day on Earth I'm given," he explains.

Bluffton University junior Nick Broyles (Toledo/Whitmer) was recently honored as Third Team All-Mideast Region by the ABCA for his outstanding work on the diamond this season. He is the fourth Beavers to be named All-Region in the past six seasons, but the first since Tim Kay in 2007. Riordan McClain and Tony Moore were both selected to the second team in 2006. Broyles was of the 15 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference players named All-Mideast Region.

Sandra Vimbiso and Deborah Kadangs, Bluffton University students from Africa, are returning to their home countries this summer to explore connections between vocation and faith with $1,500 Summer Discovery Grants awarded through the university.

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